Premium Audio Company (PAC), a division of Gentex Corp. that oversees the Onkyo, Integra, and Klipsch audio gear, has launched an interesting new series of electronics including an amplifier, preamplifier, and integrated amplifier at CES 2025 taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. This new series is called the Onkyo Icon Series, a line of high-fidelity electronics that the company says is “a bold step forward in the brand’s evolution.”
Learn more about the all-new Onkyo Icon Series
I am happy to see some genuinely new items coming out under the Onkyo brand, including an expansion into near-field monitor speakers designed for the creator class. But even more so, a new line of electronics launched under the Onkyo Icon Series name.
Although many in the U.S. may not be aware of this, Onkyo has been a global leader in the speaker business for decades, including in Japan under the Onkyo brand but also globally as an OEM supplier of speaker transducers. Many of these were used in the automotive space for Toyota and GM. However, that division was shut down some time ago.
Onkyo’s Sweet Spot
The company’s sweet spot has always been electronics – and Onkyo engineers had the capability to not only build a competitive line of robust amplifiers and other electronics – but also to raise the state-of-the-art in amplifier design. In fact it really was the robustness of its power amps that helped it become one of the leading brands of A/V receivers.
The new Icon Series appears to draw on the company’s roots as a leading designer of high-quality amplification. This new series includes the M-80 Power Amplifier, the P-80 Network Preamplifier, and the A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier.
Getting High – High-Current, High-Speed, High-Resolution
The company says that the Icon Series features the latest iteration of Onkyo’s circuit innovations with a quality of performance that fans of the brand have come to expect, including rock-solid high-current, high-speed, and high-resolution capability. PAC’s announcement says the Icon Series “sets a new standard in audio.”
Onkyo’s Icon Series is not an exercise in bare-bones design, each model is feature- and technology-packed. For example, Icon includes Dirac Live for 2 Channel room optimization technology that delivers an optimized signal to the listening room.
New Premium DAC
Icon also features a new Premium Stereo DAC AK4452 32-bit / 768kHz dedicated DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with low distortion in the P-80 and the A-50. Also in Icon is a new custom-design power supply that delivers high current and high dynamic range performance…again in both the M-80 and A-50 amps.
The company also notes that Icon Series features Onkyo’s proprietary DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry), a technology that it says “reduces beats generated in the ultra-high frequency band…”
Icon P-80 2-Channel HiFi Network Pre-Amplifier
Superior sound starts at the preamplifier stage. The Icon P-80 incorporates Onkyo’s proprietary DIDRC technology for reduced IM distortion. The company says DIDRC is in both the DAC filter section and the Phone stage, helping to ensure pure sound.
Other P-80 Features –
- 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; high-quality phono terminal
- 5mm solid aluminum front panel
- 3-piece housing
- Fan-less design for lower noise
- Premium stereo DAC for less distortion
- Extruded aluminum heat sink for lower vibration
- Hardwire or cast your favorite content from built-in services: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qubuz Connect, Amazon Music, TuneIn, QQ Music
- Operable via Onkyo Controller, its proprietary app
Icon M-80 2-Channel HiFi Power Amplifier
A solid 2-Channel Power Amplifier that is based on a Symmetrical Class AB circuit topology with a 3-stage Inverted Darlington output stage that offers high current delivery with low distortion. Like other Icon Series models, the M-80 features Onkyo’s proprietary DIDRC IM distortion reduction circuitry in the driver stage. This amp looks to be a daily driver that won’t let you down.
Other M-80 Features –
- 200 watts/ch @ 4Ω … 150 watts/ch @ 8Ω
- 5mm solid aluminum front panel
- 3-piece housing
- Low noise fanless design
- Custom-designed power supply for high-current delivery and dynamic full-range sound
- Extruded aluminum heat sink suppresses vibration
- High-grade connection terminals
- Upgraded capacitors
- Copper bus bar
Icon A-50 2-Channel HiFi Integrated Amplifier
Sharing the same technology as its Icon Series brethren, the A-50 also utilizes a solid Symmetrical Class AB circuit topology with a 3-stage inverted Darlington output stage. Another high-current, low-distortion pure play in power. Also includes the company’s DIDRC IM distortion reduction circuitry.
Other A-50 Features –
- 180 watts/ch @ 4Ω … 140 watts/ch @ 8Ω
- HDMI ARC
- Dirac Live Room Correction (full bandwidth is optional)
- Wi-Fi/AirPlay2/Chromecast
- Bluetooth
- Roon Ready
- Separate phono stage supports MM/MC; high-quality phono terminal
- 5mm solid aluminum front panel
- Low noise fanless design
- Premium stereo DAC
- Extruded aluminum heat sink suppresses vibration
- Stream music from your favorite built-in provider: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qubuz Connect, Amazon Music, QQ Music, TuneIn
- Operable from Onkyo Controller, its proprietary app
Pricing and Availability
The Onkyo Icon P-80 is priced at $1,999 MSRP; Icon M-80 is priced at $1,999 MSRP; and the Icon A-50 is priced at $1,499 MSRP. All models are available in a black and silver finish for the same price.
As far as availability, you’re going to have to be patient. The company says the Icon Series models are available in Q4/2025.
For more on Onkyo, check out onkyo.com.
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