After a long period of restructuring and development focused primarily on its home theater range, Onkyo is back in the hi-fi spotlight with the new Icon series, comprising an integrated amplifier, a preamplifier and a power amplifier. The brand’s goal is clear: to offer a range of modern hi-fi electronics capable of combining the brand’s sonic tradition with today’s demands for connectivity, streaming and user-friendliness, thanks to the integration of Dirac Live acoustic calibration.
Onkyo Icon A-50: a powerful integrated amp
The Onkyo Icon A-50 is the most versatile model in the range. It combines the power of a hi-fi amplifier with the connected features of a modern network player in a single device. Its class AB architecture delivers 140W per channel into 8 ohms and 180W into 4 ohms, enough to power a wide variety of speakers, from compact bookshelves to imposing floorstanding speakers. As is often the case with Onkyo, particular attention has been paid to the internal design. The A-50 is based on a Darlington architecture with three inverted stages, favoring stability and ensuring smooth reproduction while maintaining high current. Exclusive DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry) complements this architecture by reducing high-frequency intermodulation distortions that impair signal purity. The result: a more natural sound from 5Hz to 100kHz.
Another major advantage of the Onkyo Icon A-50 amplifier is its direct integration of Dirac Live acoustic correction. Thanks to the included microphone, the amp analyzes room acoustics to compensate for resonance and speaker placement errors. The included version covers the 500Hz to 20kHz band, which is already sufficient to improve clarity and tonal balance. For the most discerning music lovers, an optional license allows you to unlock the full correction, over the entire bandwidth, including low frequencies.
The Onkyo Icon A-50 also stands out for its rich connectivity. It has three RCA inputs, an MM/MC phono preamplifier for vinyl lovers, and digital inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial and USB-A for direct file playback. There’s also an RCA pre-out and a headphone jack on the front panel. On the network front, the amplifier is Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth aptX HD compatible. As for streaming, the A-50 is compatible with Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Qplay, TuneIn, and supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Roon Ready. The Onkyo Controller app lets you control the entire system from a smartphone, with seamless navigation through music services.
The Onkyo Icon A-50 amplifier is now available to pre-order on Son-Vidéo.com, priced at €1,290.
Onkyo Icon P-80: the network preamplifier
The Onkyo Icon P-80 is designed for multiple device systems, where the preamplifier is separated from the power amplifier. It acts as the “brain” of the installation, managing sources, signal processing and streaming. Like the A-50, it incorporates DIDRC technology, which limits intermodulation distortion and guarantees a cleaner signal. It also features a 32-bit/768kHz AK4452 DAC, capable of processing high-resolution audio files with great precision.
This preamp offers a comprehensive range of connectors: three RCA inputs, a MM/MC phono input, an HDMI ARC input, as well as optical, coaxial and USB-A inputs. For output, it offers both RCA and balanced XLR, enabling it to be combined with power amplifiers of all ranges. Two independent subwoofer outputs are also provided, ideal for fully exploiting the Dirac Live Bass Control function. Like the A-50, the P-80 incorporates Dirac Live correction, with a limited version for the 500Hz – 20kHz band and an option to unlock the full version. The addition of Dirac Live Bass Control (optional) further enhances bass precision, particularly in the presence of multiple subwoofers.
When it comes to digital music, the P-80 goes all in. It supports the main services (Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Qplay) and is AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Roon Ready compatible. As a preamplifier, it is a true music hub, capable of centralizing all sources before transmitting them to the power amplifier. It is also available to pre-order on Son-Vidéo.com at a price of €1,490.
Onkyo Icon M-80: the power amp
The Onkyo Icon M-80 power amplifier completes the Icon range, with the mission of delivering the power needed to drive the most demanding speakers. Its power output reaches 130W per channel into 8 ohms and 200W into 4 ohms, enough to cope with a wide variety of configurations. Like the A-50, the M-80 is based on an inverted three-stage Darlington architecture with 10,000 µF capacitors to ensure high current capability and low output impedance. This design guarantees firm driver cone control and high stability. DIDRC technology is also used to reduce intermodulation distortion and preserve the purity of the audio signal.
The Icon M-80 takes up the philosophy of the range: thick aluminum front panel, rigid chassis and fanless design for perfect operation. It features an extruded aluminum heatsink and an internal structure that is designed to limit vibrations. Everything is designed to deliver a stable, powerful current, without unwanted noise. To connect to the preamplifier, it features an RCA and XLR input, as well as a trigger port for synchronized start-up. This model is also available to pre-order on Son-Vidéo.com at a price of €1,590.
With the Onkyo A-50, P-80 and M-80 models, the brand proves that it has lost none of its hi-fi expertise. The manufacturer successfully combines power and audiophile components with modern connectivity, streaming and integrated Dirac Live calibration. The result is a comprehensive range for all music lovers. Those looking for simplicity can turn to the Onkyo A-50, which combines amplification and streaming in a single box. Lovers of separate box systems will opt for the Onkyo P-80 + Onkyo M-80 tandem, offering the ability to upgrade their installation and greater control of each link in the hi-fi chain.
