Best Buy!
[...] In fact, the comments on the A-933 are all the more encouraging when one notices that very few refer to technical aspects of the sound but rather tend to emphasise musical virtues. The sound was found to have plenty of swing, good dynamics, a great sense  of drama and impeccable timing. Clearly our listeners found it particularly unintrusive, doing its thing in a self-effacing way that puts the emphasis where you want it – on the overall musical message. […]

Verdict:
A particularly musical amplifier that uses digital technology to best effect, chucking out power with gusto but never losing its grip. A good choice if you are interested in the music, not the equipment!

"This product features a simple front panel, which hides the less frequently used controls, such as a “super bass” control. However, if the impact of the bass is not strong enough, the pre-amplifier has a subwoofer output that actively boosts the bass. Via its “main in” the Onkyo’s A-933 can also act as an output stage for external pre-amplifiers or level-controlled CD-players.
When it comes to its technology the Onkyo is also of great interest. Its output stage belongs to the family of switching amplifiers, which are often referred to as “digital amplifiers”. Compared to the analogue amplifiers they are more efficient, which means they loose a lot less energy in heating. For this reason they are often smaller and don’t need a huge cooling system. And even though this system is tiny, it can surely not be described as frail. The testing laboratory has determined an output of 2 x 177 Watts into a 4 Ohm load – which is more than the brochure promised.
As opposed to many other digital amplifiers this Onkyo does not get its primary energy from the switching power supply, which would have saved a lot of space. For this reason its interior remains pretty crowded as the conventional power supply with two toroidal transformers needs every millimeter inside its sheet-steel case. Summary: A round but still impulsive sounding mid-size switching amplifier. Audio Verdict: Top class
Value-for-Money: Very Good

It is the perfect blender: Given its small size nobody would expect to find such a power house behind the pretty façade of Onkyo’s half-size A-933 amplifier. One of its highlights is its impressive output, which runs at a highly respectable 184 Watts per channel and hardly needs any cooling. The Japanese engineers preferred to use the saved space for a generous power supply providing the Separate Collection 275 with excellent sound, which can definitely compete with any other full-size system in this price range. However, it is not only its powerful and voluminous timbre that silhouettes these three beauties from many other systems; its perfectly manufactured metal case and fine details, such as its motor driven volume control, are also a real advantage. Value-for-Money: Very Good

‘... the abiding impression is one of a system that’s capable of delivering real musical pleasure on audition, along with a rock-solid soundstage and a naturally expressive character.’
 
‘... one of the strongest advantages of this system is the extremely realistic way in which it reproduces detail. I'm not talking about a "cut-glass" character, underlining every micro-detail. What I mean is that is that it presents musical detail in an unfailingly natural manner, just as valve amplifiers often do, a remarkable finding given that we’re talking about a pure digital system…’

 „Considering its price range the sound of this system is amazingly detailed and neutral and it shows great pleasure in playing. A great achievement.“

„With this stereo system Onkyo has managed to fit big HiFi into small boxes. And on top of that the designers have created an elegant and pure design that reflects the value of the system. At first sight it seems lame and peaceful, but wait until it gets going….”

“It is not only its small format and elegant aluminum panel that makes Onkyo’s new Separate Collection unique and different; its technological concept and special features are hard to find anywhere else in the compact class. Your guests will probably find this elegant “understatement system” cute, however, once it gets going they will be stunned…and the good thing is that the Separate Collection is not that expensive considering its great sound.”
„Big HiFi in small boxes! The components of the Separate Collection do not only look elegant and pure, when it comes to sound they can even keep up with big-format systems of the same price range.”