Onkyo A-9070From real comments

Name: Onkyo A-9070
Rating: 3.3 (10 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 10 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment60%

PROS 60%

CONS 40%

Rank based on 10 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a strong MC phono input for turntable use
You plan to run a powered subwoofer via pre-out or speaker-level outs
You want bi-amp capability for your speakers

What users love

Digital inputs improve sound via onboard DAC0 mentions

Widely praised

Works with powered subwoofers0 mentions

Widely praised

Quality MC phono input0 mentions

Strongly positive

Bi-amp mode support0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You expect dedicated high-end internals rather than AVR-style components
You need a built-in crossover filter for subwoofer integration
You want VU meters or visual level displays

What users complain about

No crossover filter on subwoofer pre-out0 mentions

Generally negative

Underwhelming internal build for a longtime fan0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No VU meters0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Roland Blues Cube Artist

Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch

Roland Blues Cube Artist

Lightweight and gig-friendly

Tube-like tone and feel

Excellent clean channel

Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules

Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel

No included footswitch

2Premium

Friedman Little Sister

Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel

Friedman Little Sister

Exceptional tonal versatility

Great cleanup via guitar volume

Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage

Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some

Price relative to alternatives

Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel

Best value

3Mid

Orange OR15

Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak

Orange OR15

Exceptional versatility

Great with pedals / clean platform

Long-term keeper amp

Cleans not its strongest suit

Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box

Stock preamp tubes considered weak

4Mid

Marantz PM7000N

Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic

Marantz PM7000N

Detailed, warm sound quality

Good speaker pairing versatility

HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience

AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue

DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs

Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic

5Budget

TC Electronic BH250

Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation

TC Electronic BH250

Powerful for its size

TonePrint effects built in

Clean, full, realistic tone

Always-lit tuner display

Insufficient power for loud full bands

Single effect slot limitation

6Premium

Mesa Boogie Badlander

Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes

Mesa Boogie Badlander

Tight, modern high-gain tone

Built-in CabClone IR / direct out

Build quality and versatility praised by owners

High price

Missing third channel and solo boost

No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes

7Mid

iFi xCAN

Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless

iFi xCAN

Strong power for demanding headphones

Compact, high-quality build

Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality

Early sound-mode switching bug

Limited single-ended power for some planars

Not fully wireless

8Premium

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe

Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness

Friedman BE-100 Deluxe

Exceptional tonal versatility

Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment

Smooth, musical high-gain distortion

High price

Overwhelming number of options

Some find it too polished or lacking rawness

9Mid

Vox AC15CH

Built-in reactive attenuator

Vox AC15CH

Built-in reactive attenuator

10Mid

Roland JC-22

Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well

Roland JC-22

Great pedal platform

Lush onboard chorus

Exceptional clean tone

Background hiss/hum

Weak onboard distortion

Some pedals don't pair well

You are here

31Mid

Onkyo A-9070

Digital inputs improve sound via onboard DACWorks with powered subwoofersBi-amp mode supportNo crossover filter on subwoofer pre-outNo VU metersUnderwhelming internal build for a longtime fan

Onkyo A-9070

Digital inputs improve sound via onboard DAC

Works with powered subwoofers

Bi-amp mode support

No crossover filter on subwoofer pre-out

No VU meters

Underwhelming internal build for a longtime fan

Pedal friendly
1. Roland JC-22arrow_upward9
2. Orange OR15arrow_upward8
3. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward5
Versatile tone
1. Orange OR15arrow_upward10
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward8
Lightweight
1. Roland Blues Cube Artistarrow_upward8
2. TC Electronic BH250arrow_upward3
3. Orange OR15arrow_upward2
Great cleans
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward6
2. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward5
Build quality
1. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_upward6
2. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Friedman Little Sisterarrow_downward2
2. Friedman BE-100 Deluxearrow_downward3
3. Mesa Boogie Badlanderarrow_downward5

Overall Impression

Phono and digital input quality stand out to owners. Users specifically praise the MC phono input, with one saying it clearly outperforms a Project Phonobox after two weeks of use. Separately, another comment notes that using the digital coaxial or optical inputs routes audio through the onboard Wolfson DAC, bypassing the analog line stage, and produces noticeably better, deeper sound than the analog line 1 connection.

Subwoofer integration works but requires manual crossover setup. Multiple comments confirm the A-9070's pre-outs can drive a powered subwoofer successfully, and speaker-level B outputs also work with at least one active subwoofer brand. However, the pre-outs are stereo L/R only with no built-in crossover filter, so users must rely on their subwoofer's own adjustable crossover to integrate properly, rather than the amp handling it.

Some owners feel the build doesn't match Onkyo's reputation. One long-time Onkyo fan found the amp disappointing, pointing out it uses only 4 output transistors and comparable-spec amps use half the chassis space for the same or better performance. They speculated Onkyo repurposed leftover AVR components into a standard amp footprint. On a lighter note, another user simply wished the amp included VU meters, LED or analog style, as a missing nice-to-have feature.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqDigital inputs improve sound via onboard DAC

2 mentions

Widely praised

Commenters note that using the coaxial or optical digital inputs routes signal through the Wolfson DAC, delivering noticeably better depth and sound quality compared to the analog line input, which bypasses the DAC entirely.

@nyxsplitter7168

Coaxial or optical either one of these will do.the sound will have more depth.

smart_display

February 15, 2017

@nyxsplitter7168

Line 1 connection is analogue,these bypasses the dac.Try to connect it to one of the digital inputs,these way it will pass through the wolfson dac.You will notice the sound is muchX2 better.

smart_display

February 14, 2017

speakerWorks with powered subwoofers

2 mentions

Widely praised

Users confirm the A-9070's pre-out and even speaker-level B outputs can successfully drive an active subwoofer, giving owners flexible options for adding low-end extension to their system.

@Uojomo

Yes, you can use the Onkyo A-9070's 'pre-out' to a powered subwoofer. I am currently doing so using a DAVIS, SUB-EVA, an active subwoofer, and it works quite well. The caveat is that the SUB-EVA has adjustable crossover. So, I would suppose, as long as your sub is active with its own amp and crossover adjustment, it should work well. As a post-script, I have also run the B speaker level outs directly to the sub and this also seems works well with this particular brand subwoofer (A+B on).

smart_display

April 21, 2012

@OnkyoEU

@NetGod100 Hi, the A-9070 should be available, please check with your dealer - maybe your dealer just needs to order it. Regarding the powered sub: in principle, yes. But please keep in mind that the two pre-outs are Stereo L/R and do not have any cross-over filter for the sub. So you will have to take care about this by yourself.

smart_display

January 12, 2012

graphic_eqQuality MC phono input

1 mentions

Strongly positive

An owner reports being very enthusiastic about the A-9070's phono stage, saying it easily outperforms a Project Phonobox after using the amp for nearly two weeks. This suggests strong turntable support for vinyl listeners.

@josch3142

my new amp (besides a C 7070 and a T 4070) for almost 2 weeks now :) I am very enthusiastic, especially about the good MC phono input. It easily outperforms the Project Phonobox :)

smart_displayTranslated from German

December 20, 2012

call_splitBi-amp mode support

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user expresses appreciation for being able to use bi-amp mode with the A-9070, indicating the feature works as expected and adds flexibility for compatible speaker setups.

@sshatterhand239

THX! \nI am using the bi-amp mode and I am glad about the fact to be able to do so.

smart_display

April 21, 2022

warningNo crossover filter on subwoofer pre-out

2 mentions

Generally negative

The stereo L/R pre-outs lack any built-in crossover filter for subwoofer use, meaning users must rely entirely on their subwoofer's own crossover adjustment to integrate it properly with the system.

@Uojomo

smart_display

April 21, 2012

@OnkyoEU

smart_display

January 12, 2012

thumb_downUnderwhelming internal build for a longtime fan

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A self-described longtime Onkyo fan was disappointed by the amp, noting it uses only 4 output transistors and that comparable-spec amps achieve the same or better performance in half the chassis space, suggesting reused AVR-style design.

@viktor4860

I was always a big Onkyo fan, but looking at this it is a just disappointing. You can get same spec amps that use up half the real estate to deliver the same, even more performance. Seems they just had stuff left over from all the AVR junk and designed it into their standard footprint. 4 output tansistors, only....C´mon

smart_display

February 14, 2023

visibility_offNo VU meters

1 mentions

Mildly negative

One user wished the amp included VU meters, whether LED or analog style, viewing their absence as a missed nice-to-have feature on an otherwise cool product.

@OxySynth

It's a really cool product. I would love to have some VU meters in modern amps too. LED's or Analog, all is fine.

smart_display

June 3, 2020

Onkyo A-9070chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Pedal friendly

Versatile tone

Lightweight

Great cleans

Build quality

Expensive

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Onkyo A-9070From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression