70+ Years in the making 

Onkyo is very much back and are releasing a number of new products with several that stand out to me as an audiophile with very high expectations, all from the new Icon series.

The new Onkyo Icon Series—featuring the Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier, M-80 Power Amplifier, and A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier, with technologies that excite me such as Dirac Live, AK4452 32bit DAC and Onkyo’s proprietary DIDRC; Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuity which reduces beats generated in the ultra-high frequency band by DIDRC’s High Slew Rate Circuit to improve sound quality.

Icon P-80 – HiFi Network Pre-Amplifier

The P-80 Preamplifier is looking to impress with DIDRC technology installed in the DAC Filter section and Phono stage HDMI ARC, Dirac Live Room Correction (Limited Version 20Hz-500Hz), (w/DLBC/ART option), Wi-Fi/Airplay2/Chromecast, Bluetooth, Roon Ready, Separate Phono stage, supports (MM/MC) and a high-quality phono terminal.  Streaming features include Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, TuneIn, QQ Music, AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, and is Roon Ready. Controllable with Onkyo Controller, our proprietary application.

The price seem reasonable at US SRP $1,999 however the bad news its not planned to be available until Q4 2025, so it seems a little early to be making this announcement, except for CES that is happening right now.

Icon M-80 – HiFi Power Amplifier

The new Icon M-80  Two Channel Power Amplifier is a class A/B design capable of delivering a good amount of power 150W@8ohms and 200W@4ohms using a Symmetrical 3-stage Inverted Darlington (output stage), high current drive with low distortion. It also features Onkyo patented DIDRC distortion reduction circuitry  in the driver stage and extruded aluminium casework.

Onkyo are also claiming the M-80 will use hi-fi grade terminals, quality capacitors, copper bus bar, and anti-vibration rigid 5mm Aluminum front
panels to deliver “world-class playback that packs a punch”

This all seems very exciting for the same US SRP $1,999 but again we have to wait until in Q4 2025

Icon A-50 – HiFi Integrated Amplifier

The Icon A-50 Integrated Amplifier also a symmetrical Class AB amplifier design using a three-stage inverted Darlington approach capable of delivering 140W per channel into 8ohms and 180W into 4ohms.

Combined with HDMI ARC, Dirac Live Room Correction (full bandwidth is optional), Wi-Fi / Airplay 2 / Chromecast, Bluetooth, Roon Ready, Separate Phono stage, supports (MM/MC) and a high-quality phono terminal.  It seems to get a lot the same build and features from the more expensive P80 but without the VU meters, but it has streaming instead supporting the wide selection of services as the M80 using the Onkyo proprietary app.

The Onkyo Icon A-50 is more budget friendly with a US SRP of $1,499 but the wait is just as well – its said to be available in Q4 2025