Onkyo A-9110 ( with smls ps 200 ) vs Yamaha R-S202D vs Yamaha A-S301 – best choice for a low-cost setup?

[billou5767]

i everyone,

I'm looking for a good amplifier at a reasonable price and I'm hesitating between a few options: SAME PRICE 350 /400 euro

• Onkyo A-9110 + SMSL PS200
• Yamaha R-S202D + SMSL PS200
• Yamaha A-S301

I'm mainly interested in sound quality and musicality, rather than extra features or maximum power.

For a small budget, which combination would you choose, and why?

I'm particularly interested in opinions from people who have actually listened to these amplifiers. Is the A-S301 clearly better than the Onkyo A-9110 or R-S202D, or would the difference be relatively small?

thanks

 

[ZolaIII]

A-S/R-S 700 fead with deacent unbalanced DAC. That's second hand (for less money but be careful that they are in good condition and not used much A-S 700 got disconnected lot later than R-S 700). If it must be new A-S 501.

 

[OldTimer]

I always choose the one which doesn't have SUB-OUT. It means the #2.

 

[billou5767]

A-S/R-S 700 fead with deacent unbalanced DAC. That's second hand (for less money but be careful that they are in good condition and not used much A-S 700 got disconnected lot later than R-S 700). If it must be new A-S 501.

501 new its 500 e in france onkyo/sml 290 e new

 

[Keith Flanker]

If it has to be new at that budget, I’d just get the A-S301.

One box, less junk. The SMSL PSU combos don’t automatically sound more “musical.”

Speakers matter more here anyway. What are you driving?

 

[billou5767]

If it has to be new at that budget, I’d just get the A-S301.

One box, less junk. The SMSL PSU combos don’t automatically sound more “musical.”

Speakers matter more here anyway. What are you driving?

kef q350

 

[markic]

I had Onkyo A9130 with plenty of DACs, like Fosi ZD3, FIIO K11 R2R, SMSL SU1, Wiim Ultras DAC... Every DAC conected to Onkyo sonded better then internal one, I think it's Wolfson. So think will be the same story for AS 301 without external DAC. Later you can upgrade PSU (I did with Ifi Ipower 2 and noticed solid difference). I used Q350 speakers as well, so my vote is for Onkyo/SMSL Combo.

AS301 is better if you need more power, but still think Onkyo/SMSL is giving you more quality for same money. If you chose AS 301 you can add external DAC later as well...

 

[Svend P]

I had Onkyo A9130 with plenty of DACs, like Fosi ZD3, FIIO K11 R2R, SMSL SU1, Wiim Ultras DAC... Every DAC conected to Onkyo sonded better then internal one, I think it's Wolfson. So think will be the same story for AS 301 without external DAC. Later you can upgrade PSU (I did with Ifi Ipower 2 and noticed solid difference). I used Q350 speakers as well, so my vote is for Onkyo/SMSL Combo.

AS301 is better if you need more power, but still think Onkyo/SMSL is giving you more quality for same money. If you chose AS 301 you can add external DAC later as well...

If you test level matched and blind, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Talisman]

If you test level matched and blind, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Except Josh

 

[markic]

Of course I could, if you play with many DAC you could spot the difference, if you have revealing enough speakers, and Q350 are certanly transparent enough to spot the difference. On some devices you could tell difference between different conncetion, like USB or COAX/USB.

 

[Svend P]

Of course I could, if you play with many DAC you could spot the difference, if you have revealing enough speakers, and Q350 are certanly transparent enough to spot the difference. On some devices you could tell difference between different conncetion, like USB or COAX/USB.

Please read the threads I have linked to to understand why you are wrong. This is quite uncontroversial. You might be needing a more direct approach though:

Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[linuxfan]

@billou5767 the choices you suggested are conventional class AB amplifiers from mainstream brands. Within this type of entry-level hifi amplifier I would prefer the NAD C316BEE V2, Cambridge Audio AXA35, or Rotel A8. Full disclosure: I have the Rotel.

But if you are interested in maximum sound quality per buck (or Euro) I recommend that you look at the TPA3255-based class D amps -
The value champion presently appears to be the Fosi V3 - which is a ridiculously cheap 80 Euros on AliExpress.
Maybe aim for a higher spec version such as the Aiyima A20 - 160 Euros, or 3e Audio A5 - 190 Euros, or Topping PA5 II - 235 Euros.

 

[billou5767]

@billou5767 the choices you suggested are conventional class AB amplifiers from mainstream brands. Within this type of entry-level hifi amplifier I would prefer the NAD C316BEE V2, Cambridge Audio AXA35, or Rotel A8. Full disclosure: I have the Rotel.

But if you are interested in maximum sound quality per buck (or Euro) I recommend that you look at the TPA3255-based class D amps -
The value champion presently appears to be the Fosi V3 - which is a ridiculously cheap 80 Euros on AliExpress.
Maybe aim for a higher spec version such as the Aiyima A20 - 160 Euros, or 3e Audio A5 - 190 Euros, or Topping PA5 II - 235 Euros.

yes I know , iam on topic C316 the rotel and the AXA35 is a little just with Q350 , the nad is interesting ..but in france its 400/450 and no numeric its the prize of yamaha 501

 

[billou5767]

I had Onkyo A9130 with plenty of DACs, like Fosi ZD3, FIIO K11 R2R, SMSL SU1, Wiim Ultras DAC... Every DAC conected to Onkyo sonded better then internal one, I think it's Wolfson. So think will be the same story for AS 301 without external DAC. Later you can upgrade PSU (I did with Ifi Ipower 2 and noticed solid difference). I used Q350 speakers as well, so my vote is for Onkyo/SMSL Combo.

AS301 is better if you need more power, but still think Onkyo/SMSL is giving you more quality for same money. If you chose AS 301 you can add external DAC later as well...

thank for replie , but the 9130 have not more power than the 9110 ? do you think with Q350 the 9110 is not a little short ? there is nearly no test of the onkyo above 2020

 

[Talisman]

I can say, because I had them in pair, that the Onkyo 9010 drives the Kef Q350 without any problem at a level that is to be feared for the drivers

 

[markic]

@Svend P Read few pages, but don't agree with everything, becuase I tried many DAC and saw difference, in dynamics, detail presentation, noise floor etc, not night and day, but noticable. Example is Topping E70 Velvet, USB conncetion is much better (if you use some entry streamer) because have a great for the price reclocker inside it, than COAX/Toslink. So doesn't agree with some thing on thread. Currently not using any DAC then one integrated in amp, because doesn't have space anymore for separates, and miss it.

@linuxfan Tried CA AXA35 (not on my sistem btw) and sounds very good.

@billou5767 Just saw 9110 have less power the 9130, not by much, but 9130 drives Q350 without problem, think will be same with 9110. Tried Fosi ZA3 and don't like it, sound flat somehow, I prefer some A/B class in entry level section. Aiyima A20 looks promising and have lpf/hpf, which is rare in entry class, if you plan to use a sub, it's a great thing.

Another great combination is, if you have something to use as a preamp. That SMSL PS200/PRO with Wiim Vibelink or Emotiva A2L+, both amps sounds great for the price, and definitly better then Onkyo which I had, both tried with Q350 in my room.

What is your source?

 

[Svend P]

but don't agree with everything,

Science doesn't care if you agree or not. It is not a matter of opinion. They measure the same, and therefore sound the same.

You have to test blind next time

Audio Blind Testing - You Are Doing It Wrong! (Video)

Just uploaded a video on the basics of performing controlled tests in audio. It was motivated by saving myself text in having to write all of this down when telling someone who to do these tests right. And as a counter to a few online personalities to keep saying they do "blind" tests yet when...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[markic]

@Svend P Okay, doesn't want to argue, if you didn't hear the difference in different devices, that's a great thing for you. Measurement aren't everything. I'm new here on ASR (but read it for years), but not new in hoby, and playing with "hifi toys" for years. Sometimes device with not so good measurements sounds better, to my ears, then one with perfect ones. So I didn't write about DACs difference on this topic anymore

 

[Svend P]

@Svend P Okay, doesn't want to argue, if you didn't hear the difference in different devices, that's a great thing for you. Measurement aren't everything. I'm new here on ASR (but read it for years), but not new in hoby, and playing with "hifi toys" for years. Sometimes device with not so good measurements sounds better, to my ears, then one with perfect ones. So I didn't write about DACs difference on this topic anymore

For DACs measurements are everything

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[popej]

@Svend P Okay, doesn't want to argue, if you didn't hear the difference in different devices, that's a great thing for you. Measurement aren't everything. I'm new here on ASR (but read it for years), but not new in hoby, and playing with "hifi toys" for years. Sometimes device with not so good measurements sounds better, to my ears, then one with perfect ones. So I didn't write about DACs difference on this topic anymore

As the saying goes: pessimist is an optimist after a blind test