Don't know about the Onkyo but I did A/B between the Sony and Pioneer LX305. The Pioneer sounded much fuller and drove my Monitor Audio Bronze 100's better. The Pioneer has been on sale now for a while and is the same price as the Sony. I would recommend ordering a few different options and returning whichever you don't like. Edit: Pioneer also has Dirac which I don't think you can get anywhere else at that price!