• On last.fm: Interview with the mini mall rap guy!
July 29, 2009 7:04 AM PDT

Music 2.0: Where stereo rules

by Steve Guttenberg
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 5 comments

Matching SACD player and stereo amplifier from Onkyo

(Credit: Onkyo)

Face it: Most people listen to music on CD, LP, radio, or some form of downloaded file, and each and every one is a stereo format.

Even high-resolution formats like SACD have stereo mixes, so it's no surprise that Onkyo just introduced two new stereo components: An integrated stereo amplifier, the A-5VL, and a stereo SACD player, the C-S5VL.

The amp seems like a rational alternative to a feature-laden AV receiver, jam-packed with so much wizardry you need to read and comprehend a 100 page user manual to get it to do much of anything. Stereo is simple; no need to navigate multilayer menus to turn the bass up or down. No, with the stereo Onkyo amp, all you'll ever do is select the input--CD, aux, radio, etc.--and adjust the volume. Then sit back and enjoy the tunes.

The 2-times 40-watt integrated stereo amplifier features the latest version of Onkyo's VL digital power amplifier technology. Digital it may be, but that didn't stop the designers from including an MM/MC phono input stage for analog-loving audiophiles with turntables. Stereo home theater, HT 2.0 might clinch the deal for some buyers. Just plug a Blu-ray or DVD player into the amp, and you're good to go.

The amplifier is compatible with Onkyo's RI (Remote Interactive) iPod dock and charging stations, making it simple to integrate an iPod or iPhone into your home audio system. The C-S5VL SACD player and A-5VL integrated stereo amplifier are available at suggested retail prices of $599 and $699, respectively.

Steve Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to magazines and Web sites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
Recent posts from The Audiophiliac
Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White turn it up to '11'
World's most 'perfect' speaker gets even better
Oppo's newly upgraded Blu-ray/SACD/DVD-A player isn't just for audiophiles
Will recorded music survive the 2010s?
The best audio products of 2009
Don't buy an iPod speaker (if you care about sound quality)
Einstein Audio: 'Genius' vacuum tube amp maker
Piano maker Steinway moves into the hi-fi business
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (5 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by coprock July 29, 2009 9:34 AM PDT
Unless you must have a phono input...NAD 3315 is $250 less and probably out performs.
Reply to this comment
by tomsoundman July 30, 2009 6:00 AM PDT
I like the "simpleness" of this for a change. Makes me want to un-complicate my system and just listen to some pure music...
Reply to this comment
by cdxskier6 July 30, 2009 3:22 PM PDT
I'm a college student now, but as soon as I graduate, I'm gonna blow 3k on a quality CD player, an amp, and a pair of kickin speakers. NO way I'm buying any multi-channel crap.
Reply to this comment
by amfx22000 August 13, 2009 10:49 AM PDT
I think we all know that mono is VASTLY superior to stereo in every way. so who cares?
Reply to this comment
by rootsmusic December 8, 2009 11:40 AM PST
Sorry I'm not an audiophile, so please educate me on how mono audio is superior to stereo?
(5 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

Five New Year's resolutions for Google

Stakes are as Google attempts to maintain one of the Internet's greatest cash machines while pushing into new and risky markets.
• Android event set for Jan. 5

For eBay sellers, a holiday hamster hangover

The gift frenzy over Zhu Zhu Pets leaves some power sellers feeling like they've just run a marathon--but the steep price tags lead to some impressive profits.

About The Audiophiliac

Ex movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has more or less successfully hitched his future to home theater, but he still pines for the clickity-clack of 35 MM projectors and all the stale popcorn he could eat. Between projectionist gigs he worked as a high-end audio salesman for sixteen years, and produced records for an audiophile label. Oh, and one more thing, nothing annoys Steve more than being confused with the other Steve Guttenberg, the washed-up Police Academy actor. The wordsmith Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to a number of magazines and websites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

Add this feed to your online news reader

The Audiophiliac topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right