After Years, a Heritage Japanese Audio Brand Is Getting Back Into the Hi-Fi Game

Onkyo is a heritage Japanese audio brand with a history dating back to the 1940s. Once well-known for its premium hi-fi gear — partially its high-end amplifiers — the company has focused mainly on home theater products like AV receivers in recent years due to changing times and tastes.

Well, if you missed it, Onkyo announced a big rebrand — or a “rebirth” — at the end of 2024, stating that it would enter new product categories that cater “to both everyday audio consumers and high-end, premium hi-fi listeners.”

And we’re seeing the first of these new products at CES 2025. After years, the revered audio maker is getting back into true h-fi gear with the launch of its Icon series of amplifiers.

Onkyo Icon Series Amplifiers (2025)

Onkyo

Onkyo’s three new Icons

Onkyo’s upcoming Icon series consists of three amplifiers — Icon P-80 network preamplifier, M-80 power amplifier, and A-50 network integrated amplifier — all of which are aimed at audiophiles.

According to the brand, all three amplifiers are designed to “deliver powerful, pure sound through exquisitely designed modern chassis that house advanced technologies for superior audio performance.”

The Preamp

Onkyo

Onkyo Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier

• Learn More

The Onkyo Icon P-80 is a streaming preamplifier with a high-quality DAC supporting streaming up to 32-bit/768kHz. It supports most Wi-Fi streaming protocols (including AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect) and Bluetooth. It’s Roon Ready and supports Dirac Live Room Correction technology. And thanks to an HDMI-ARC connection and a built-in phono stage that works with MM and MC cartridges, you can hook it up to your TV or turntable.

The Power Amp

Onkyo

Onkyo Icon M-80 Power Amplifier

• Learn More

The Onkyo Icon M-80 is a power amplifier that’s meant to be paired with the company’s new Icon P-80 network preamplifier (above). The stereo amp can output 150 watts per channel (into 8 ohms) or 200 watts per channel (into 4 ohms). It features the company’s proprietary DIDRC circuitry and a fan-less design, which aim to eliminate distortion. And the VU power meters give the amp added retro appeal.

The Streaming Amp

Onkyo

Onkyo Icon A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier

• Learn More

The Onkyo Icon A-50 is a streaming amplifier that essentially combines the Icon M-80 power amp and Icon P-80 network preamp. It features the same DAC and DIDRC circuitry as the M-80, although it is slightly less powerful, capable of delivering 140 watts per channel (into 8 ohms) instead of the M-80’s 150 watts. And it has all the wired connections (including HDMI ARC and built-in phono stage) and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming capabilities as the P-80.

Onkyo

Price and availability

Those interested in Onkyo’s new Icon series of amplifiers will have to wait — they will be available in Q4 of this year. Each model will come in black or silver finishes.

As for prices, both the Icon P-80 network preamplifier and Icon M-80 power amplifiers will cost $1,999. The Icon A-50 streaming amplifier will cost $1,499.

Related Topics