Onkyo A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier (Icon Series) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The A-50 is a two-channel network integrated amplifier from Onkyo's Icon Series (Osaka, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. The complete all-in-one solution of the Icon lineup, it combines power amplification, digital-to-analogue conversion, room correction, network streaming, and phono preamplification in a single fan-less chassis. Rated at 110 W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2-ch driven, FTC) and 180 W per channel (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7% THD, 2-ch driven) through a three-stage Inverted Darlington Class AB amplifier, the A-50 features an AKM AK4452 Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz stereo DAC with DIDRC in the analogue filter stage, a discrete MM/MC phono stage, HDMI ARC, Dirac Live Room Correction built in, and a full streaming suite including Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect. The Onkyo Icon Series received the HomeTheaterReview Best of CES Award 2025.

Inverted Darlington Amplifier, DIDRC, and Class AB Design

The A-50's amplifier section uses the same three-stage Inverted Darlington topology as the dedicated M-80 power amplifier. This layered transistor design achieves a very low output impedance by coupling a driver transistor and a power transistor with feedback, fed by an additional gain stage, then multiplying instantaneous current capability through parallel output transistors. The result is an amplifier that grips speaker voice coils with authority, delivers fast transient rise times, and maintains composure across low-impedance loads from 4 to 16 ohms. Negative feedback is deliberately kept low, preventing back-EMF noise from the speaker from re-entering the circuit and masking fine detail. The AKM AK4452 DAC's analogue output filter incorporates DIDRC with a High Slew Rate Design, suppressing ultra-high-frequency beat noise generated by digital sources before it can enter the amplification chain. A Direct mode switch on the front panel bypasses all DSP functions including tone controls and Dirac Live, maintaining a fully analogue signal path from turntable or line-level source through to the speaker terminals for those who prefer pure analogue playback. The linear power supply handles all analogue and most digital functions, with a separate small switch-mode supply maintaining network standby without disturbing the main analogue rails.

AKM DAC, Phono Stage, and Digital Sources

All digital sources in the A-50 pass through an AKM AK4452VN Premium stereo DAC, a two-channel chip rated at 115 dB dynamic range and supporting PCM up to 32-bit/192 kHz via network and digital inputs, and DSD up to DSD512 via USB. Analogue inputs including the phono stage are converted to 24-bit/48 kHz for tone control and DSP processing, while the Direct mode bypasses this conversion entirely for a pure analogue path. The MM/MC phono circuit handles moving magnet cartridges with 70 mV overload headroom at 1 kHz and moving coil cartridges with 7 mV overload headroom, covering the full range from standard consumer turntables to audiophile MC-equipped decks. HDMI ARC connects a television's audio output to the A-50 over a single cable, routing streaming app audio from the TV through the AKM DAC and amplifier chain. Optical and coaxial S/PDIF digital inputs accept sources up to 24-bit/96 kHz, and a USB-A port (USB-C at some markets) provides local storage playback from a flash drive.

Dirac Live, Fidelity IQ, and Room Correction

Dirac Live Room Correction is built into the A-50 with the Limited version covering the 20 Hz to 500 Hz frequency range included at no extra cost. A paid licence upgrade unlocks the Full Bandwidth version, extending correction across the complete 20 Hz to 20 kHz audible range for comprehensive room acoustic treatment across all speakers. An optional Dirac Live Bass Control upgrade is also available for subwoofer alignment. Setup is performed using the included 3.5 mm omnidirectional measurement microphone that connects to the front panel setup mic input. Fidelity IQ, Onkyo's auto-loudness system, generates room-specific frequency response parameters during the initial microphone setup and then automatically applies tonal balance compensation at any listening volume to maintain the emotional character of the music, independently of the tone controls and alongside them if preferred.

Streaming, Network, and Smart Home Integration

The A-50 carries Roon Ready certification for bit-perfect lossless playback from a Roon Core server with full metadata and transport control. AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, QQ Music (Qplay), and TuneIn are all built-in native streaming services. Bluetooth 5.1 with A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6.2, SBC, and AAC for incoming audio and SBC, aptX, and aptX HD for 24-bit lossless wireless headphone output covers both incoming streaming and outgoing wireless listening. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet provide flexible network connectivity. The Onkyo Controller app manages input selection, volume, tone controls, streaming, and Dirac Live modes from any iOS or Android device. Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice control are supported with compatible third-party devices.

Key Features

• Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Class AB Amplification: 110 W per channel (8 ohms, FTC) and 180 W per channel (4 ohms), with low negative feedback, parallel output transistors, and custom high-current linear power supply.
• DIDRC in DAC Analogue Filter (High Slew Rate Design): Patented Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry suppresses ultra-high-frequency noise from digital sources before it reaches the amplifier stage.
• AKM AK4452 Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz DAC: 115 dB dynamic range stereo converter supporting PCM up to 32-bit/192 kHz (network/digital) and DSD up to DSD512 (USB).
• Direct Mode: Front-panel switch bypasses all DSP including tone controls and Dirac Live for a fully analogue signal path from turntable or line-level source to speaker terminals.
• Discrete MM/MC Phono Stage: Handles moving magnet cartridges (70 mV overload at 1 kHz) and moving coil cartridges (7 mV overload at 1 kHz) for the full range of turntable types.
• Dirac Live Room Correction Built In: Limited version (20 Hz to 500 Hz) included; Full Bandwidth (20 Hz to 20 kHz) and Bass Control available as paid upgrades; setup via included 3.5 mm measurement microphone.
• Fidelity IQ Auto Loudness: Room-calibrated tonal balance compensation at any volume level, generated via microphone setup, operating independently of tone controls.
• Roon Ready Certified: Highest-tier Roon integration for bit-perfect lossless playback, full metadata display, and Roon transport control.
• Full Streaming Suite: AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, TuneIn, QQ Music (Qplay) built in; Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD: Receive via SBC/AAC; transmit 24-bit lossless audio to wireless headphones via aptX HD.
• HDMI ARC Input: One-cable TV audio connection routing television app sound through the AKM DAC and amplifier chain.
• Fan-Less Vibration-Suppression Chassis: 5 mm aluminium front panel, oval anti-resonant base, extruded aluminium heatsink, Onkyo-exclusive 10,000 µF capacitors, and copper bus bar throughout the power and signal paths.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 3 x RCA analogue inputs (unbalanced)
• 1 x MM/MC Phono input
• 1 x HDMI ARC input
• 1 x Coaxial digital input (up to 24-bit/96 kHz)
• 1 x Optical digital input (up to 24-bit/96 kHz)
• 1 x USB-A input (flash drive; DSD512 and 24-bit/192 kHz PCM)
• Speaker binding posts
• Pre-out RCA (for powered subwoofer or external amplifier)
• 6.35 mm headphone output (front panel)
• 3.5 mm setup microphone input (Dirac Live and Fidelity IQ calibration)
• Wi-Fi (dual-band) and LAN (Ethernet)
• Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX HD TX)

Awards and Critical Recognition

• HomeTheaterReview Best of CES Award 2025 (HomeTheaterReview, as part of the Onkyo Icon Series)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Onkyo A-50?

The Onkyo A-50 is a two-channel network integrated amplifier from the Icon Series, rated at 110 W per channel (8 ohms, FTC) and 180 W per channel (4 ohms). It combines a three-stage Inverted Darlington Class AB amplifier, an AKM AK4452 32-bit/768 kHz premium DAC, DIDRC distortion reduction, a discrete MM/MC phono stage, HDMI ARC, Dirac Live Room Correction, Roon Ready certification, and a full wireless streaming suite in a single fan-less chassis. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

How does the Onkyo A-50 compare to the NAD C 700 or Cambridge Audio EVO 150?

The A-50 differentiates itself from the NAD C 700 and Cambridge Audio EVO 150 in several meaningful ways. Its three-stage Inverted Darlington Class AB amplifier with low negative feedback and parallel output transistors delivers a different tonal character and current delivery profile compared to the NAD C 700's Eigentakt Class D platform. The A-50's DIDRC-filtered AKM AK4452 DAC, discrete MM/MC phono stage with switchable cartridge sensitivity, and Direct mode bypass for a fully analogue signal path have no direct equivalent in the Cambridge Audio EVO 150. Qobuz Connect native integration is built into the A-50 but absent from the NAD C 700 without additional modules, and the A-50's Dirac Live Full Bandwidth upgrade path and Fidelity IQ auto-loudness system extend its room correction capabilities beyond what either competitor offers out of the box.

What is Direct mode on the A-50 and when should I use it?

Direct mode is a front-panel switch that bypasses all digital signal processing in the A-50, including tone controls, Dirac Live room correction, and the Fidelity IQ loudness compensation. When Direct mode is active, an analogue source such as a turntable or CD player follows a fully analogue path from input through the amplifier stage to the speaker terminals, with no analogue-to-digital conversion at any point. This is ideal for listeners who prefer the character of an unprocessed analogue signal, particularly for vinyl playback, and for audiophile evaluations where DSP artefacts need to be excluded from the listening test.

Can the A-50 drive a turntable directly?

Yes, the A-50 includes a dedicated MM/MC phono input. It handles moving magnet cartridges with an overload headroom of 70 mV at 1 kHz and moving coil cartridges with 7 mV overload headroom at 1 kHz, covering the full range from standard consumer turntables to high-end MC-equipped decks. No separate phono preamplifier is required. When Direct mode is engaged, the phono signal follows a fully analogue path through the A-50 with no digital conversion in the chain.

What version of Dirac Live comes with the A-50, and what upgrades are available?

The A-50 ships with Dirac Live Limited, which corrects the system's frequency response from 20 Hz to 500 Hz. A paid licence upgrade unlocks Dirac Live Full Bandwidth, extending correction to the complete 20 Hz to 20 kHz audible range for comprehensive room acoustic treatment. A separate optional Dirac Live Bass Control upgrade adds subwoofer alignment via machine learning for systems with a powered subwoofer connected to the A-50's pre-output. All Dirac Live setup uses the included 3.5 mm omnidirectional measurement microphone.

What hi-res audio formats does the A-50 support?

The A-50 supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/192 kHz via network streaming and digital inputs, and DSD up to DSD512 via USB storage playback. The optical and coaxial S/PDIF digital inputs handle sources up to 24-bit/96 kHz. The AKM AK4452 DAC decodes all formats with 115 dB dynamic range and a 32-bit/768 kHz maximum sampling capability. Roon Ready certification also enables bit-perfect delivery of the full resolution of any file in a Roon library directly to the A-50's DAC.

Where can I buy the Onkyo A-50 in Toronto or Canada?

The Onkyo A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Onkyo dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Onkyo Icon Series and can demonstrate the A-50 alongside the P-80 and M-80 separates, offering expert guidance on speaker matching, Dirac Live setup, and streaming system integration.