For professional sound producer or musician, an amplifier is already widely known but for beginners, they might not know what and how it works. An amplifier is an electronic device complementary with a loudspeaker, it’s used to amplify electric guitars and other musical instruments to increase the amplitude of electrical signals, used chiefly in sound reproduction. An amplifier’s job is to turn a tiny electric current into a larger one with various different ways to achieve this depending on exactly what you’re trying to do.
Amplifier is essential in sound production, it helps to control the sound input and output which then provide result based on how you control and manage it. Today we’re going to discuss about Onkyo A9050 and Yamaha A2501.
Onkyo A9050
The A9050 is a combination of both classic analog power and the latest in digital audio processing technology. For $526.30 and weigh in 8.2 kg, you can feel the mellow glow of vinyl or experience your computer-based library with proper hi-fi sound, A9050 is able to do both. There are three digital inputs linked to a Wolfson® 192 kHz/24-bit DAC, which allow you to exploit the potential of lossless formats such as WAV. Of course, digital inputs are also supported to let you play everything from your computer’s iTunes collection to movie downloads with power and precision beyond anything you’re used to from your PC’s speakers.
With gold-plated audio terminals and gold-plated banana plug-compatible speaker posts, A9050 ensure a perfect connection for your CD player, tuner, and loudspeakers. Featuring low negative feedback with Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT) design, Onkyo A9050 provide naturally vibrant sound which add energy and vitality into recordings. Onkyo developed the WRAT suite of technologies to improve the clarity and character of amplified audio. The technologies work to reduce noise across the frequency range, guaranteeing a clear, balanced, and natural sound. It achieves this by employing a low negative feedback amplifier design, preserving the essential energy and life contained within the recording. Using closed ground-loops, A9050 work to cancel unwanted noise from individual circuits and by enabling high current flows, it can cancel reflex energy from the speakers.
| Onkyo A9050 | Yamaha AS501 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Offer | click here | click here |
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| Product Dimensions | 13 x 17.13 x 5 inches | 17.13 x 15.25 x 6 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 22 pounds | 22.7 pounds |
Onkyo A9050 features Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry (IDRC) to eliminate digitally generated noise beyond the normal range of human hearing, frequencies above 100 kHz are susceptible to digital clocking-signal pulse and other forms of subtle distortion. Noise in the super-high-frequency range can affect the character or atmosphere of the original sound, A9050 works by reducing distortion in the superhigh-frequency range to deliver audio clarity. Unlike some other hi-fi, Onky A9050 uses the same Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry technology which boosts current flows and reduces distortion. It uses in its highend A/V receivers. This innovative circuit topology facilitates high speaker-driving power, reduces distortion, and preserves the buoyancy and expressiveness of recorded music, a unique characteristic of our low negative feedback amplifiers while some others take a shortcut to amplified audio with the use of all-in-one IC chips which compromised the sound once you turn the volume up.
No need to worry about getting your amplifiers too hot as the A9060 has discrete output stage circuitry which means it has cooler running temperatures with receiver’s ability to deliver high power into low impedances is a vital factor in its performance. If the current flow through the amplification circuit is inconsistent, audio quality can be compromised. Onkyo A9050 amplifiers feature separate high-quality components at the signal output stage. Discrete transistors help guarantee a consistent, stable supply of current to the speaker system for an open and assured performance, with less chance of distortion and cooler running temperatures.
Additionally, Onkyo A9050 features Phase-matched bass boost for deeper bass and a clearer mid-range from the warm low notes produced by a cello to the deep frequencies of electronic music, a good amplifier should be able to deliver plenty of bass without distorting. Some amplifiers are prone to the effects of phase shifting, which can overwhelm middle frequencies and muddy the overall sound. The Phase-Matching Bass Boost technology effectively preserves mid-range clarity which allow vocals and strings to shine while maintaining a smooth, natural bass response at all volume levels. The A-9050 features 96 kHz/24-bit optical and coaxial inputs which can carry digital audio signals from source devices such as computers or laptops with a power supply that can maintain or increase output power as required which means that you have deep, powerful bass, wide-ranging dynamics with musical peaks that sound composed and correct timbre and sound staging. When paired with a set of quality loudspeakers, Onkyo A9050 have the capability to drive them with ease. All those features work in combination to enhance the power and fidelity of your audio sources and shape the outputted audio signal. Read also: Yamaha RX A2080 vs RX A1080.
Yamaha AS501
When it comes to sound production, Yamaha is already widely known for their high-quality products. And with this AS501, Yamaha offers high sound quality circuit design based on the ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) concept, it ensures optimum sound when processing and transmission of the audio signal, it is simple, direct and there is less chance of it being affected by noise and distortion. Priced at $549.98, AS501 features an input to output direct symmetrical design with left and right channels organized in a straight, symmetrical layout for highest signal purity. In addition, the ART (Anti-Resonance and Tough) base bottom chassis and a solid center bar provide high-rigidity support and vibration damping. These Yamaha design innovations contribute to this amplifiers’ rich audio reproduction with abundant musicality.
For outstanding audio performance, AS501 custom-made the power transformer and block capacitors with two direct signal path speaker relays, one-point grounding system, aluminum-extruded heat sinks and other top-quality parts which effortlessly handle demanding audio signal conditions. Yamaha AS501 uses high quality parts, carefully selected and tested to provide the quality of each individual part, as well as how they work together determines the sound quality of any component. The A-S501 is created by taking advantage of this rich experience and high technological expertise. Based on the concept of “Natural Sound”, for reproducing all music as it really sounds and built with reliable care from circuit design to basic sound production. It also features The Pure Direct mode which directs the music signals to travel the shortest possible circuit route by passing the buffer amp and the tone, loudness and balance controls to virtually eliminate any signal degradation for the purest sound quality.
The A-S501 also feature a Continuously Variable Loudness Control to create new analogue loudness control on the front panel that uses electronic volume for higher sound quality, which lets you adjust the loudness effect as desired. Separate from the overall volume, this controls the balance of the low and high- frequency sounds, providing full tonal range at any volume level, compensating for the natural loss in the human ear of high and low frequencies at soft levels and with gold-plated terminals, AS501 ensure a high-quality connection that prevents signal loss. Whether you want the old-school vinyl or digital audio, AS501 provides all. It supports input for TV and/or Blu-ray player. The A-S501 is equipped for digital audio input with both optical and coaxial terminals. The optical is for receiving audio from a TV, and the coaxial for receiving audio from a Blu-ray player so you’ll be able to stream music wirelessly from a Bluetooth capable mobile phone or a PC to the Network receiver. The audio stays in the digital domain, giving you clean and pristine dynamic sound for all your entertainment sources, from sports and other programs to movies and concerts.
You can connect two separate speaker systems in different rooms and switch between them, or have them both playing at the same time. There are four terminals, by pushing a button, you can switch speakers to match the sound source. It also features a terminal for connecting a subwoofer which allows you to increase the bass output of your system for a more powerful sound with better overall sound quality. You can also connect a turntable with an MM phono cartridge to play vinyl records. This lets you enjoy not only CDs, but also analogue record sound from an amp with the latest digital/analogue technology. For access of audio components, this amplifier boasts an ease-of-use button layout with remote control. The clean, simple design of the remote control provides easy-to-understand one-hand operation and you can also use the remote to control a Yamaha CD player. The aluminium front panel has a richly textured silver hairline finish. The control knobs are also of the same luxurious construction as used on our top-end models. The easy-to-use design makes it simple to adjust song volume and order. The amplifier has a power management function that detects when it hasn’t been used for a long time (about 8 hours) even though the power is on, and automatically shifts it into standby mode. So even if you forget to turn it off, power consumption will be minimized.
Onkyo A9050 Vs Yamaha AS501
Conclusion
With around the same price point, Onkyo A9050 and Yamaha AS501 shares similar features. First, they both have gold-plated audio terminals. Second, they have digital and analogue input and output. They offer similar technology to ensure best sound production. The difference is that Onkyo A9050 is lighter with 8.2 kg while Yamaha weighs in 10 kg but Yama supports more digital electronics such as Blu-ray and Bluetooth which is why Yamaha AS501 is the winner. It provides great analogue sound but also clear digital sound along with other features.