Onkyo A-5VL A-5VL Integrated Stereo Amplifier

by Onkyo

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 17.1 x 3.1 inches ; 22.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 27 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B002C73WR2
• Item model number: A-5VL
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,708 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #35 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Receivers & Amplifiers > Component Amplifiers

Product Description

Beneath the A-5VL’s slim and elegant exterior lies a surprising amount of amplification muscle. You might wonder how Onkyo managed to incorporate the functionality of a pre- and power amp into such a slender integrated package. The key is the A-5VL’s extremely energy-efficient design. Because it produces much less heat than a typical amplifier, the A-5VL requires only a small heat sink. This leaves ample space for a range of precision-crafted audiophile-grade parts, such as specially audio-tuned capacitors and thick, low-impedance copper bus plates. The A-5VL employs Onkyo’s exclusive VLSC™ technology to ensure a smooth, pulse noise-free signal during conversion from digital to analog. You’ll enjoy precise and faithful reproduction of any audio source, whether it’s a CD, a tuner, or a turntable. As the A-5VL is also compatible with Onkyo’s optional RI (remote interactive) Docks for the iPod, you also have the convenience of controlling playback of your iPod via the amplifier’s remote controller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes outstanding centerpiece for an audiophile iPod system, September 9, 2009

By 

ERIC L (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Onkyo A-5VL A-5VL Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Electronics)

I purchased this amplifier because I wanted something better than even a high-end iPod dock (such as the Bowers & Wilkins Zepplin.) I wanted to use my iPod (actually iPhone 3GS) as the source for a small and mid-priced, but high-end audio system and I didn't want to sacrifice music quality or convenience. I also wanted something smaller than a full receiver that wouldn't stick out in my den/library that could accept a digital audio signal, which is almost impossible to find in a mini system, but this has it.

So here's what I did: I purchased the Wadia 170i Transport ($399) which is the only product on the market which can bypass the iPod/iPhone's internal digital audio converter and output a true digital audio output via a digital coaxial cable (it officially only support iPods, but my iPhone works fine). I plugged this digital coax cable output (included with the Wadia) into the Onkyo A-5VL ($599) and added a high quality pair of bookshelf speakers (Boston Acoustics for $600 a pair). So, it is a total of $1,600 for the whole system, but it is more flexible and MUCH, MUCH higher quality and better sounding than a B&W Zepplin or mini system and even cooler in its low profile, audiophile system approach.

When I play a recording from my iPhone (Apple lossless format is best) on this system, the sound is AMAZING and rivals even much higher priced and much larger systems. The sound is effortless and pure (especially with direct bypass of tone controls) and can be played very loudly without losing quality or becoming harsh. I listened to some songs I had listened to many, many times, on my existing mini system (and high end car system) and I heard many instruments in the background that I never noticed before, which is another true testament to high quality amplification. It is more expensive than mass market iPod capable systems, but is actually fairly cheap by audiophile standards and a very good value.

I love the simplicity, lack of flash and very high quality of this product. It's kind of a throwback to old stereo audio days of high quality separate components but easily it handles digital content. It really has only two functions: i) convert from digital to audio and ii) amplify the signal to drive speakers, but these are the only two functions I needed for my high end system it does these two things EXTREMELY well. It has a very high quality Burr-Brown DAC and a higher quality amplifier than found in the already very good Onkyo receivers. This amplifier is solid and weighs a lot for its small size due to its high quality components and thick copper plate. I feel like I spent my money on higher quality rather than features like surround sound, a tuner, etc that I did not need.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A-5VL VS. A-9555, September 21, 2009

By 

Marek Materka (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Onkyo A-5VL A-5VL Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Electronics)

After years of getting mixed result from multi-function receivers, I have decided to try a dedicated stereo amp to see if the music really sounds better. And it sure does. There are many brands out there but the real choice (testing the equipment) is quite limited. Since my favorite mid price brand (Harman Kardon) does not offer much in the integrated amp area, the focus shifted to another popular and easily available name -Onkyo. The A-9555 got pretty good marks, but there was very little information on its A-5VL successor available in September 2009. Thanks to generous return policy I got both models and tested them with two sets of headphones - Denon AHD 2000 and Sennheiser HD 800.
Staring with the newer A-5VL model, the moment I turned up the volume knob there was the "WOW" factor. I have never before experienced that excellent sound quality from a mid priced amp and instantly felt this is something to hold on to. However, after a while I have noticed that that the sound does have that sharp digital quality different from the "tube-like" softness and warmth I was looking for and found in its predecessor.
Thus, the A-9555 is a real winner here - sonically more realistic, with a wider sound stage and twice the (Watt) power coming at a lower price tag. I can honestly recommend this amp to anyone looking to boost the CD sound without spending thousands of your hard earned dollars.
Other observations:
1) Both receivers have very good headphone output, but they really lack quality phono input. An LP played with Technics 1200MK2 sounded more like a cd than vinyl record. Harman Kardon is I believe a better choice for analog media. It is clear that the Onkyo was primarily designed for digital media and that's were it really shines.
2) I did not test MP3's as I truly and absolutely despise any decrease in audio quality.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of value, sound is not my cup of tea, January 20, 2011

By 

Adam Nyholt (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Onkyo A-5VL A-5VL Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Electronics)

Pros: Build quality, power, functionality (build in DAC)
Cons: Usability, sound quality

I had the A-5VL for about two weeks before returning it. I give the A-5VL 5 stars for features. It is a relatively powerful integrated amp WITH a high quality DAC. Better quality than the DAC in your typical A/V receiver, and WAAAY better than the DAC in your computer or ipod. There are simply no other hi-fi integrated amps at this price point (or anywhere near it) that have built in DACs. From that perspective, it's a great value.

The build quality is very solid. It is a heavy unit, and feels sturdy when you handle it. The knobs move smoothly with no play.

My problem with the unit is two-fold: usability and sound.

The amp has a remote, but it literally only does one thing: controls volume. The input selector is not motorized, so the remote cannot change inputs, and the unit has no standby mode, so the remote cannot turn the unit on and off. This was pretty frustrating to me.

The main reason I returned the unit is the sound. It was too harsh for my taste. Highs were shrill, and caused listening fatigue after extended listening. Mids sounded compressed and lacked detail. I know not everyone is a fan of "warm" sound, but this was far on the other end of the spectrum. Still, I suspect it's a taste thing, and some people may like it.

For reference, my speakers are Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 350's, and my source was a computer playing CDs and lossless compressed audio via an optical connection. Since I returned the unit I have purchased a Musichall A15.2 integrated amp and 25.3 DAC. The sound is MUCH more to my liking. Warm, but not too warm, extreme amounts of detail in the mids and highs, and GREAT presence in vocals, keys, and guitar. Granted, that combo cost more than twice the A-5VL.

Conclusion. If you need a hi-fi amp with built-in DAC at this price, then you should try it out. Maybe you'll like it. If you love that warm sound that audiophiles crave, you'll probably be disappointed. If you don't need the DAC, then I would definitely look elsewhere.