Guess who's back from the brink of existence? It's Onkyo, the storied Japanese audio brand that filed for bankruptcy in 2022. Like Mark Twain's rumored demise, reports of its death were greatly exaggerated. In Munich, Akihisa "Alec" Watanabe, project leader at Onkyo Technology, and Dave Gans, VP of Marketing & eCommerce at Premium Audio Company (Onkyo's U.S. distributor, which also handles Klipsch) convinced doubters that the brand is alive and well.
Klipsch revealed its new La Scala AL6 in March, and the large speaker sure stood its ground in Munich, but I was there to get the lowdown on the new Onkyo gear. Called the Icon series, the components had been previewed at CES and are expected to arrive in the US in the fourth quarter.
The Icon series includes the P-80 network preamplifier ($1999), which incorporates NFB (low negative feedback) and DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry). Onkyo says these technologies are designed to "approach the comfortable sound [of] analog records" via the P-80's onboard phono stage and DAC low-pass filter.
The M-80 stereo power amplifier ($1999) outputs 200Wpc into 4 ohms and 150Wpc into 8 ohms. It employs a three-stage Inverted Darlington design. Features include an auto loudness function, a copper bus bar, a custom power supply, and a 5mm thick aluminum front panel. Like the other Icon series products, it's fanless. The M-80 also incorporates sankuzushi ventilation, referring to a traditional Japanese pattern considered auspicious and symbolizing a good harvest. It often appears on kimonos and obi—sashes worn around the waist.
The A-50 network integrated amplifier ($1499) supports a range of streaming services and features DIDRC, low NFB, auto loudness, a 32-bit/768kHz AK4452 DAC, and a custom power supply.
Gans and Watanabe presented two systems. The first consisted of the Icon P-80 preamplifier, the M-80 power amp, Klipsch/Ojas kO-R1 speakers ($8498/pair, stands included), a Norstone Spider rack, and Oehlbach cables.
System two showcased the new C-7030 CD player ($349), the Icon P-80 preamplifier, the M-80 power amp, Heco Direkt Premium loudspeakers ($3300/pair), Oehlbach cables, and an Oehlbach power bank (approx. $850).
Watanabe explained that Onkyo's sonic target was first and foremost to convey "emotion" and to "represent the players' intention" with exemplary imaging, dynamics, and detail, along with a sense of spatial expansion and atmosphere.
I locked onto system one. The Onkyo system rendered Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World with a clear, wholly engaging sound. Linda Ronstadt's "Straighten Up and Fly Right" revealed a silken top end, pristine vocal presence, and commendable dynamics and detail. Holly Cole's "I Can See Clearly Now" delivered tight acoustic bass, exquisite decay, and precise textural cues within a well-defined soundstage.
With its competitive pricing and a revitalized brand identity, the Onkyo Icon components could be strong contenders when they arrive in the US this fall.
The Icon series includes the P-80 network preamplifier ($1999), which incorporates NFB (low negative feedback) and DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry). Onkyo says these technologies are designed to "approach the comfortable sound [of] analog records" via the P-80's onboard phono stage and DAC low-pass filter.
Advertisement
