Tuners are listed in alphabetical and numerical sequence by model number. In parentheses after the model number are the year of introduction and most recent list price, and/or the original list price if indicated by "orig" (special thanks to David Rich of The Audio Critic for
copies of historical material from his reference library). We have posted updated eBay sale price data on this page through October, 2007 (more recent data has been recorded but is not yet posted); data for "as is" or damaged tuners, or otherwise unrepresentative auctions, may be excluded.
There are many Onkyo tuners in our On-Deck Circle that we'd like to consider listing here if we can get some basic information on them (types of controls and features, number of gangs and number and type of filters, and any personal anecdotes or comparisons to other tuners). Please post in our FMtuners group if you have any information about any of them.
Onkyo Grand Integra T-G10 (1988, $850, photo) search eBay
The most expensive tuner in the Integra line is identical, cosmetically, to the T-9090II, except for the high-gloss side panels. None of our panelists has ever seen a T-G10 in the flesh, and they show up only about once a year on eBay (most recently, $638 in 5/06, $456 in 9/07 and $689 in 2/08).
Onkyo T-450RDS (1993, $355) search eBay
The T-450RDS is a black digital tuner with RDS capability (see the T-4310R writeup below for more on RDS). DXer Mike Bugaj has a good review of the tuner on his website, as well as a comparison of the T-450RDS to the Denon TU-1500RD. In our view, many people would find the absence of a signal meter in the T-450RDS to be a major annoyance. The T-450RDS is scarce on eBay and can sell for as low as $30 (in 10/06) or $47 (in 4/07), or as high as $163 (in 5/06). The Euro version of the T-450RDS, the T-4051RDS, appears to be identical except for voltage and tuning increments.
Onkyo T-909 (1978, $950, photo) search eBay
A very rare FM-only tuner, the T-909 was one of the early digitals, coming out the year after the Luxman 5T50 and Sherwood Micro/CPU 100 made their debuts. Although the T-909 is an attractive tuner, sounds very nice and is powerful - the rich bass and feeling of "reserve power" remind our panelist of a Yamaha CT-7000 or Kenwood L-0TII - the high list price was largely due to the new technology. The T-909 has only one IF bandwidth, but adjacent channel selectivity is not bad (unlike the CT-7000's which is non-existent). Tuning is in .2 kHz steps, by scanning with up/down pushbuttons, or with 7 presets. The T-909 has a unique system of presets in which each station frequency is represented by a specific configuration of LEDs, and to program a frequency into memory one must slide little switches to the right to match the combination of LEDs that are lit under each preset button. On the back panel are horizontal and vertical outputs for an oscilloscope, RCA outputs for a Dolby adaptor and a variable output level knob. On the front, behind a pop-out panel that also houses the preset system, are Dolby on/off, noise filter, stereo/mono and muting on/off. The T-909 has the electronic equivalent of 5 gangs and a complicated filter scheme involving LC filters, one 4-pin ceramic and two 3-pin ceramics. A few T-909s have sold for $150-250 on eBay, two with minor cosmetic issues sold for just $15 in 1/04 and $68 in 6/04, and one with a preset problem went for $27 in 6/07. [EF]
Onkyo T-4015search eBay
Somewhat similar to the T-4017, according to our contributor Tom B., the T-4015 usually sells for $25-40 on eBay, but as low as $10 (in 6/07) and over $60 are both possible. We'll be adding more information on it when time permits.
Onkyo T-4017 ($350, photo) search eBay
The T-4017 is a nice digital tuner with wide and narrow IF bandwidth settings and 4 ceramic filters. The first two in the circuit, X101 and X102, have a 230 kHz or 280 kHz bandwidth and are used for wide mode, and all 4 filters are used for narrow. The third and fourth filters, X103 and X104, have a fairly narrow 180 kHz bandwidth. The T-4017 is similar to the T-4087 but is more difficult to find. Our contributor Tom B. offers this comparison: "Lifting the hood on the T-4087 and T-4017 shows a very similar layout and configuration of the circuit board, etc. They look almost identical. On the outside both models also have the same output level control knob on the back. The T-4017 has better sensitivity, but I would say the T-4087 is easily more selective. Their U.S. models both tune in 0.1 MHz increments. The T-4087 has more controls for fine tuning the RF, blend, etc. The T-4017 only has mute on/off, local/distant and mono/stereo. Soundwise, they both have similar clarity of the mids and high frequencies. The T-4087 has more and deeper bass, so with a strong signal it is more satisfying for the audiophile." Read Paul C.'s detailed instructions on how to do a filter mod on the T-4017 on Audiokarma. The T-4017 might be a good choice for someone on a budget, usually selling for $20-50 on eBay, with a recent low of $20 in 7/07 and a high of $91 in 2/04.
Onkyo T-4038 (1986, $160) search eBay
The T-4038 is a low-end tuner that we do not recommend, but might be a fun project for a modder. Our contributor John S. reports: "A $5.00 T-4038 is about as gutless a gutless wonder as you'll find. I thought I'd try a couple of narrow filters in its two slots and noticed that there were circuit board markings for a third filter and another IF amp transistor and components. One transistor scavenged from a dead VCR board, five resistors, one disc cap, three sockets, a 110 kHz and two 150 kHz filters later and it's still not much, but it's sure a whole lot better than it was when I started. It's amazing how much less disgusting a low-end tuner can be, with very little effort and a well-stocked junk box." The T-4038 sells for $20 or less on eBay.
Onkyo T-4055 (1974, photo) search eBay
The T-4055 is an older tuner that has some fans. Our contributor Walt says, "I know the T-4055 very well. In '76 or '77, The Absolute Sound (probably Issue 5 or 6) had a tuner shootout which included such items as a Marantz 10B, the first Sequerra tuner, and the T-4055. The T-4055 was rated as #2 overall, and #1 in terms of bang for the buck and ease of listening. In retrospect it was somewhat overrated at the time, but considering I was able to buy them for $141 at the time, it was a stone bargain. I probably bought and sold at least two dozen over a 2-1/2 year period. The T-4055 has a switch for an audio output of the multipath. Other than that and a warmish sound, it's pretty basic. The bass is lacking dynamics, and the treble in the 6-7K range might also be slightly shelved down. Overall, it's a pleasant-sounding unit. It's no DX rig stock, and the AM section is miserable. It has a lot of room to work on the boards. There are quite a few cheap coupling caps on the boards which have probably started to leak in the past few years, and they should all be replaced." Bill Ammons says, "The front panel has an output level control, muting, and noise filter control, plus the AM/FM/auto selector and tuning knob. There is a switch in the back to make the multipath audible, and a wideband detector output for hooking into SCA and quad adapters. I did pop the top - it is a 4-gang FM, 3-gang AM design with three green 280 kHz ceramic filters (single bandwidth), with the IF stages having a 10.7 MHz ceramic resonator from emitter to ground on each of the IF gain stages. The T-4055 has for its price range a very good RF front end. The RF amp and mixer are MOSFET and it has some well-spaced higher Q coils. It performs well in strong signal areas." Our contributor Alan has compared the T-4055 to tuners like a Magnum Dynalab FT-101A Etude and says the T-4055 is "one fine tuner, both from a DX perspective and especially sonically." Our contributor Greg F. says, "I have two Sherwood S-3000Vs and next to them the Onkyo sounds grainy, but it picks up many more stations. Also, it has performed flawlessly for 25 years." The back panel has fixed and variable outputs and jacks for an oscilloscope. Apparently early units, but not all T-4055s, had a 400 Hz calibration tone with an on/off switch on the back. The T-4055 usually sells for $45-80 on eBay, but almost anything is possible, from $11 in 5/06 to $150 in 8/05.
Onkyo T-4057search eBay
Our contributor Tom B. has owned a couple of T-4057s and tells us: "The T-4057 looks like the T-4087 in appearance, but the comparison stops there. It does not have all the tuning features, just the basics, and no variable output. The circuit board, etc. has less to it, and overall it weighs less, partially because it does not have the wood side panels. The T-4057's sensitivity seems to be very similar to the T-4087's, but I don't know about its selectivity. The T-4057 sounds decent, but not as good as the T-4087. The T-4057's highs are not as clear/extended as the T-4087's (and the T-4017's), and the 4057 does not have the bass quality of the 4087." Our contributor Stephan is also unimpressed: "Had a look at the schematic of the thing, and found the US/Worldwide versions to be shockingly simple RF/IF-wise (compared to the T-4087) - a mere 3-gang front end and two ordinary 280 kHz filters, that's portable level. The 220V version (also sold as T-4250 over here [Germany - Editor]) features another (presumably better, maybe 4-gang) front end and three 230 kHz GDT filters (SFE10.7MM), at least. Demod and MPX are HA11225 and HA1196. Not exactly good value I'd say." The T-4057 usually sells for $20-60 on eBay, with a low of $10 in 4/07 and surprising highs of $103 in 11/05 and again in 7/06 (as two guys ran it up from $26).
Onkyo T-4087 (1986, $420/orig $349, photo) search eBay
The T-4087, a digital tuner with the equivalent of 5 gangs, is like the baby brother of the T-9090II. It looks just like a thinner T-9090II, with a black cabinet, fake rosewood side panels, and dial lights reminiscent of an arcade game. The T-4087 has good sensitivity, decent sound quality, and superb selectivity in stock form -- comparable to the T-9090 and T-9090II -- because 2 of its 4 stock ceramic filters (which are switched into the circuit for the narrow IF mode) have a narrow 150 kHz bandwidth. The wide filters are first and last in the circuit (X101 with a 230 kHz bandwidth and X104 with a 250 kHz bandwidth), while the two narrow filters, with a 150 kHz bandwidth, are in the middle (X102 and X103). The T-4087 has a combined stereo/mono and muting on/off switch that prevents one from choosing to listen to weak signals in stereo (muting can be defeated only by switching to mono). Also, the T-9090II tunes in .025 MHz increments, but the U.S. version of the T-4087 only tunes in 0.1s, so detuning away from a strong adjacent-channel local station is not possible. The T-4087 is fairly common on eBay and usually sells for anywhere from $40-100, with no discernible pattern (and a recent low of $20 in 6/07, a nice bargain!). For $100 or less, it's a good value for a DXer who doesn't mind the muting circuit, but we question the sanity of the eBay bidders who paid $227 in 6/06 and $231 in 5/07. See the T-4017 listing above for our contributor Tom B.'s comparison of the T-4087 and T-4017, and scroll down on this Audiokarma page for Paul C.'s discussion of the T-4087's filters. The Euro version of the T-4087, the T-4270, appears to be identical to the T-4087 except for voltage and tuning increments. [EF]
Onkyo T-4120 (1987, $210) search eBay
Our contributor Brian Beezley reports: "The T-4120 is a wonderful little basic tuner that I found at a garage sale for $1. The tuner has standard features with 20 presets. The antenna terminals are thumbscrews; there is no F-connector. Remote control is by wire with the Onkyo R1 system. AM was sensitive, sounded good, and tuned to 1620 kHz. The fluorescent display is an attractive light green. The cabinet is black and so is the front panel, with white lettering in an elegant, understated font. None of the flashy, cheesy, look-at-me looks of many cheap tuners. Also unlike many cheap tuners, the cabinet is all metal, with no plastic or fiberboard anywhere. The T-4120 has but three ICs on the main board, plus a microprocessor on the display board, and a dozen or so transistors. The PCB occupies a very small portion of the cabinet, which is otherwise empty. There are just two tuned circuits before the mixer, but I didn't notice any intermod in my high-RF location. There are two 280 kHz IF filters. The detector is double-tuned, which is unusual in a basic design. Also unusual are the two complex LC output filters that knock down the 19 kHz stereo pilot and 38 kHz L-R modulation. I know the filters are complex because I had to repair a tiny broken wire inside one. Under the shield and adjustable ferrite cap, I found two tapped inductors and two capacitors, everything tiny as can be. The elliptic-function filter response drops nulls at 19 and 38 kHz, which is just what you want. An amazing amount of functionality in a tiny can.
"I always replace the IF filters in these basic tuners. Not only does this improve selectivity, it greatly reduces HD Radio self-noise (the background noise most home tuners produce when receiving HD Radio stations with digital sidebands, now proliferating across the dial). I put a pair of 180 kHz filters in this tuner. The 1 kHz stereo distortion was something like 0.2% for the original 280s, but it dropped below 0.1% with carefully selected 180s. The distortion spectrum was nearly identical in mono, something I've never seen before. Better still, distortion didn't increase as the signal level dropped, a problem I find in many expensive tuners. It did increase as the signal got very strong, but I forgave it. Separation was about 45 dB and not adjustable. There is a muting adjustment, one for the 19 kHz VCO, and several AM adjustments. After repairing and aligning the tuner, I hooked it to an outside antenna and took a listen. It sounded so good that I got caught up in a beautiful chamber music concert and forgot all about tuner evaluation. This is the nicest basic tuner I've yet come across." The T-4120 usually sells for $20-50 on eBay.
Onkyo T-4150 (1987, $325) search eBay
A moment of silence, please, for perhaps the worst eBay tuner purchase we've ever seen. Two lunatics took an inexplicable liking to a T-4150 and bid it up from $26 to $300 in 5/03. This rather basic black digital tuner has 4 gangs, 20 presets, wide and narrow bandwidth settings, switchable high-blend and antenna attenuation, signal strength indicator, and Onkyo's proprietary "APR" system, so it's not bad, but the normal price range on eBay is $25-70 (with a more recent high of $112 in 2/07 and a low of $18 in 11/06). With so many decent Onkyos available inexpensively, it's hard to imagine why anyone would fight over this one (if you're patient, you can even get a T-9090 for a lot less than $300!). The Euro version of the T-4150, the T-4450, appears to be identical to the T-4150 except for voltage and tuning increments.
Onkyo T-4310R (1995, $280, photo) search eBay
A little lightweight black digital synthesizer tuner with surprisingly decent sound and excellent sensitivity and selectivity. The T-4310R has 4 ceramic filters, two of which have a narrow 150 kHz bandwidth that should satisfy all but hardcore FM DXers. It tunes in .025 MHz increments, allowing for detuning to escape interference from a strong adjacent channel station. As the R in its model number indicates, the T-4310R has RDS (Radio Data System) capability as well. RDS is of limited use in the U.S., but FM stations that broadcast an encoded RDS signal give DXers the ability to identify them without having to wait for the call letters to be announced. Here's Mike Hawk's explanation of how RDS works. The T-4310R was a recommended component in Stereophile despite (or perhaps partly due to) its modest price. The T-4310R has sold for as low as $32 (in 11/04) and as high as $195 on eBay, but usually $75-125 when the seller explains that the tuner has RDS and what that means. See how one T-4310R sounded compared to many top tuners on our Shootouts page. [EF]
Onkyo T-4500 (1989, $320, photo, inside, T-4650 schematic) search eBay
The T-4500, a black digital FM-AM tuner, is the little brother of the T-4700. The two tuners are quite different inside despite their similar exteriors. The T-4500 has the equivalent of 5 gangs and 4 ceramic filters, 2 of which are used in Wide mode and all 4 of which are used in Narrow mode. Our contributor Stephan notes that the T-4500 and the T-4650, a European model that appears to be identical to the T-4500 except for voltage and tuning increments, use the Sanyo LA3401 MPX chip, and the Sanyo LA1266 IF limiter/mute/metering IC for the quadrature detector function. Our panelist Jim did a Shootout and offers this general information about the T-4500: "You like buttons? We've got buttons! This tuner is a button pusher's dream. I counted 41 and that's without considering that the 20 presets become 40 with the shift button. One button I used a lot during my DX tests was the cable/mute button, which also changes the tuning steps from .5 to .25 MHz. Functions are defeatable but when you change stations, the mute can activate. There is an 'APR' (automatic precision reception) button that chooses the best reception parameters. It, too, can be defeated per the operator's needs. The T-4500 has wide and narrow bandwidths and a local/DX RF mode. Also included is a manually selectable high blend and manual/auto tuning switch. This model takes a slide-on (quick-connect) 75-Ohm connection - a screw-on F connector won't fit." The "Classified Memory Scan System" allows one to group preset stations into six "classes." Like many Onkyos, the T-4500 has excellent selectivity even in stock form, largely because two of its four ceramic filters have a narrow 150 kHz bandwidth. The wide filters, with a 230 kHz bandwidth, are first and last in the circuit (X101 and X104), while the two narrow filters, with a 150 kHz bandwidth, are in the middle (X102 and X103). The T-4500 would be a good tuner for a DXer or anyone in an urban area with strong signals. Our contributor Stephan compared his T-4500 to a Kenwood KT-880D: "For tougher (more crowded) receiving conditions, I'd prefer the T-4500, since it features one more gang, one more IF filter and a nifty channel separation correction circuit for narrow IF mode (simple but effective; look out for Q202)." Stephan also speculated, "On strong signals, the Kenwood with its nominally lower distortion LA1235 (instead of the LA1266 as used in the T-4500) may sound better, though that's probably more a matter of alignment."
Stephan points out a problem affecting some T-4500s: "A significant number of T-4650s (and thus also T-4500s) appear to be affected by more or less serious amnesia. This has been traced to the microprocessor not going to sleep quickly enough when the tuner is turned off. (That would be triggered by pulling the /HLD line low.) Instead it continues running for a while, discharging the goldcap. You may not notice this as long as the goldcap is still in good shape, but as it grows older and its resistance increases (aided by nice warm temps near the display), the voltage may drop too much for the µP which promptly forgets all of its memories. My own T-4650 shows semi-serious symptoms, it wants to be warmed up properly in order to save its memories, but then it'll keep them for weeks without problems. It appears the goldcap is being charged veeery slowly. Maybe more is involved here. The cause for the problem appears to be cost-cutting during the main PCB design. The more expensive T-4700/T-4670 (same µP board, but different main PCB) features an additional transistor for pulling /HLD low and seems to be much less frequently affected. The successor T-407/T-4850 adds a 100 ohm resistor in series with the goldcap and another 1k resistor to avoid shock discharging of a 1µ/50V electrolytic involved. What about a fix, you ask? For a naive and untested approach, connect a matching NPN transistor (Onkyo used DTC114YS on the T-4700 and TC144ES on the T-4850) with the base and emitter in parallel to R906, emitter to ground, while the base (and that is where untested comes into play) should go to the anode of either R813 or R814 (the Q806-side end of R825 would also work; these three spots are all connected). I heard that another approach would also work, but have yet to receive details. My T-4650 had two mods done on the µP board, one with a diode affecting the /DSP line (maybe from the factory) and another, more amateurish-looking one that essentially pulls up /HLD via 2.4kOhm (and down when +5.6V is without juice). Apparently the latter was an earlier attempt to fix the problem, with only moderate success." Typical sale prices for the T-4500 on eBay have dropped from the $200 area in 2004 and early 2005 to just $60-75, a great bargain, but up to $125 is possible and still not a bad buy. The all-time high is $255 in 1/07. [EF][JR]
Onkyo T-4650 and Onkyo T-4670
The T-4650 and T-4670, the European model numbers for the T-4500 and T-4700, respectively, were believed to be identical to their U.S. counterparts except for voltage and tuning increments.
Onkyo T-4700 (1990, $450, photo, inside, T-4670 schematic1, T-4670 schematic2, Audio review, owner's manual) search eBay
The T-4700, a black digital FM-AM tuner and the scarcer big brother of the T-4500, is another typically superb DXing tuner from Onkyo. It has a very complicated front end, as our panelist Bob explains: "From the schematic, you can see there are two gangs before the metal can, which are switched in or out of the circuit with diodes, controlled by a local/DX switch. The 'local' setting would add the two gangs. Then, there are another two gangs, an RF amp, another two gangs, then a mixer. There is one gang used in the oscillator. This totals 5 gangs in DX mode, 7 in Local mode. Recall that an RF gang, besides being a bandpass filter, has loss. The extra two gangs would be like inserting a tuned attenuator in front of a normal 5-gang tuner. The 4 tuned gangs before the RF amp would seem to be a really decent design to prevent front end overload in areas with big local transmitters. I've never seen that design before (normally there are one or two gangs before the RF amp), but it makes sense." The T-4700 has 6 ceramic filters, two of which have a narrow 150 kHz bandwidth for the Narrow IF bandwidth mode. The T-4700 tunes in either .5 MHz or .25 MHz steps, and has a remote control. Jim's description of the T-4500's features applies as well to the T-4700, which also has a front-panel output level knob, dual antenna jacks, adjustable muting level, and the ability to input names for stations - in fact, Jim would be pleased to count 44 buttons and one knob on the T-4700's front panel. Despite their similar exteriors, the T-4700 is quite different from the T-4500 inside, with a much larger and more sophisticated circuit board. With a couple of matched 110 kHz filters installed, the T-4700 would probably be a world-beater for DXing, on par with a T-9090 or T-9090II. The T-4700 and T-4500 are more intelligently designed than the T-9090s, however, with their 40 presets and related buttons grouped together to allow the 'APR' function buttons to be laid out more logically. The T-4670 is a European model that appears to be identical to the T-4700 except for voltage and tuning increments. The T-4700 is rarely seen on eBay, where it usually sells for $175-230 (with a high of $270 in 9/05). A scratched one went for just $57 in 12/06, a great deal. [EF][EH]
Onkyo T-4711 (1996, $600, black, gold, owner's manual) search eBay
A digital tuner with excellent sensitivity and selectivity, the T-4711 has 6 ceramic filters and is a great tuner for DXing, especially when modified. It was available in a typical black cabinet or in a "50th anniversary limited edition" gold cabinet. The T-4711 has switchable wide and narrow IF bandwidth settings, a hi-blend switch, fine tuning in 25 kHz steps, a timer and a remote control. It also has RDS (Radio Data System), described in the T-4310R writeup above. Here is a website with some suggested mods for the T-4711, but don't try filters this narrow if you care at all about sound quality. Our contributor Ken K. found his T-4711 to be more sensitive and selective than five excellent Yamaha tuners: "In order of FM selectivity, I rate the Onkyo the best, then the T-85 (then the TX-1000, TX-950, T-7, and T-1). Of the two contendahs, the T-85 just doesn't quite match the ability of the Onkyo to hold a weak adjacent station without splatter next to a strong local. Often the Onkyo would have a station clean, on frequency, when the Yamaha required some off-tuning. If the Onkyo couldn't pull a clean signal at all, neither could the T-85. In order of sensitivity, the T-4711 and T-85 were more or less equal, then the T-7, TX-1000 (that had recently been aligned), TX-950, and T-1. Both tuners showed about the same level of hiss on distant stations. Both have stereo blend buttons that mitigate some of that. The Yamaha could grab and hold a cleaner stereo signal at a bit lower signal strength. On closer or local stations, both are strong and clear, though the Onkyo is a little more sensitive to multipath in general. AM reception was typically (of digital tuners) hyper-sensitive on both. There's so much signal from my outside long-wire antenna that I have to use attenuators to prevent overloading. The Yamaha has some advantage over the Onkyo with the ability to fine-tune in 1 kHz steps, but it only tunes to 1620 kHz. The T-85 has slightly stronger mid and lower bass levels. The T-4711 sounds a bit thin in comparison. Otherwise, the mids and highs are quite similar and, overall, both sound very good (though my wife claims I can't hear the annoying dog-whistle note somewhere above 15 kHz emanating from one of our old TVs). So, the winner thus far is the T-4711. But that might be a subjective thing, because the T-85 is so close in all areas, and a little better in a couple." Our contributor Stephan adds, "This slightly leaner sound seems to be a common issue with 'newer' Onkyos (this goes back to the T-4500/4700 at least), and I have no clue why, since from the schematic they're doing a lot of things right - big buffering and coupling caps, the T-4711 even employs Nichicon MUSE caps, and there's a 5532 in the output stage. With old models like the T-9, it was just the opposite: these beasts sounded good but one would never guess from the messy layout inside. (Alignment stability apparently wasn't extremely good though.) Filter-wise, the most narrow setting of the T-4711 employs two SFE10.7MJK-A (150 kHz 20 kHz tol.), two SFE10.7MZ2K-A (150 kHz GDT - keep in mind these have much less steep filter skirts - 20 kHz tol.), and one SFE10.7MX-A (250 kHz GDT). The -A might stand for what is now an "A10", a filter with lower loss. With this kind of lineup, it's hardly surprising that it makes a good DXer. The T-85 uses SFA... filters [230 kHz bandwidth - Editor] in the most narrow position." The T-4711 usually sells for $260-300 on eBay, with occasional lows of $160-170 and a high of $425 in 6/03. A "new" T-4711 went for $371 in 6/07.
Onkyo T-9060 (1981, $490, photo) search eBay
The very rare T-9060 has seven presets and buttons for IF bandwidth, auto hi-blend, muting/mode, de-emphasis, signal strength/deviation meter and auto tuning. Our contributor Paul S. reports: "Although it has only seven presets, it's built like a tank (at least 50% heavier than my Onkyo T-4087) and is much more sensitive than the T-4087. Very nice sound." Our contributor Stephan tells us that the T-9060 uses "ordinary SFE10.7M 280 kHz ceramics, two in wide mode and another three for a total of five in normal. Tuned RF circuits: 1x pre RF amp, 3x pre mixer, 1x LO. The T-9060 is essentially a somewhat more sophisticated version of the T-4017." The T-9060 usually sells for $50-100 on eBay, with a low of $27 in 8/06 and a high of $200 in 2/04.
Onkyo T-9090 (1984, $700/orig $600, photo, Audio review) search eBay
and Onkyo T-9090II (1988, $790/orig $750, photo, brochure cover, brochure page1, brochure page2, specs, Audio review) search eBay
With the exception of the very rare Grand Integra T-G10, the T-9090 and T-9090II were the best tuners ever made by Onkyo. The T-9090 is "almost" the equal of its successor for sensitivity and selectivity, and both have the digital equivalent of 6 gangs. However, the T-9090II tunes in .025 MHz steps (which can be useful for detuning away from a strong local station) rather than in .2 steps like the T-9090 does (which allows one to tune up and down the dial more quickly). In addition, the T-9090II has a remote control, two antenna inputs that can be A/B'd, and a few other minor features that the T-9090 lacks. Both tuners have 20 presets and digital signal strength readouts, among other bells and whistles. The most significant feature of the T-9090 and T-9090II (which can also be found in other tuners in Onkyo's Integra line) is the "APR" (automatic precision reception) system which automatically selects the optimal IF bandwidth, RF mode, stereo or mono, and whether or not to use the hi-blend filter, based upon the characteristics of the tuned signal. The T-9090II's APR system also chooses between Antenna A or B for best reception. Both Onkyos are superb DX machines, and as digital tuners are possibly surpassed for adjacent channel reception only by a modified Yamaha T-85 (due to the T-85's .01 MHz fine-tuning capability). The Onkyos are really selective enough without modification - especially the T-9090II, which uses five 150 kHz filters in its Super Narrow IF mode. Although this spec does not appear in Onkyo's U.S. product manuals, Australian DXer Todd Emslie reports that the T-9090II's adjacent channel selectivity is 45 dB. The T-9090 and T-9090II are both very quiet on weak signals and their stereo separation, while not "world class," is not bad even in Super Narrow mode. Our panelist Bob observes, "In general, most tuners' stock blend circuits stink. I have gotten pretty sensitive to any noise, and usually have to go right to mono. The T-9090II has a good stock blend circuit, better than most tuners have." Some people dislike the Onkyos' ergonomics - both have tiny buttons that are not all grouped logically - but they're very solidly built tuners and not at all "plasticky." The European equivalent of the T-9090 was the T-9900, while the Euro version of the T-9090II was the T-9990. Read how one T-9090II sounded compared to other top tuners on our Shootouts page. Todd Emslie's website has a very thorough review of the T-9090II. The T-9090 usually sells for $180-300 on eBay, with a low of $150 in 10/05. The normal eBay sale price range for a T-9090II is $350-500, but mint ones sold for $661 in 8/05, $680 in 4/06 and $710 in 6/06, and three total lunatics ran up the price of another nice one to a baffling $910 in 8/04. We see no reason for anyone ever to pay more than $450-500 for a T-9090II on eBay. A T-9090II with a filter mod, superfluous for all but hardcore DXers, sold for $455 in 7/03. [BF][EF][JR]
Onkyo T-9900 and Onkyo T-9990
The T-9900 and T-9990, the European model numbers for the T-9090 and T-9090II, respectively, were believed to be identical to their U.S. counterparts except for voltage and tuning increments.
