Onkyo P-80 Network Preamplifier (Icon Series) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The P-80 is a 2.2-channel network preamplifier from Onkyo's Icon Series (Osaka, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Launched at CES 2025 as the centrepiece of Onkyo's return to high-fidelity separates, the P-80 is built around the patented DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry) and an AKM AK4452 Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz stereo DAC to deliver distortion-minimised sound from both analogue and digital sources. It provides a dedicated discrete MM/MC phono circuit on an isolated board, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-outputs, dual independent subwoofer outputs, HDMI ARC, and a full network streaming suite including Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect. Dirac Live Room Correction is built in with an optional Full Bandwidth licence upgrade and optional Dirac Live Bass Control for subwoofer alignment. The Onkyo Icon Series received the HomeTheaterReview Best of CES Award 2025.

DIDRC, AKM DAC, and the Icon Series Philosophy

The P-80 is the flagship network preamplifier of the Icon Series, a line Onkyo describes as the culmination of its accumulated and continuously evolving sound creation technologies. At the core of every Icon Series component is DIDRC, a patented discrete signal control circuit that addresses dynamic intermodulation distortion: the high-frequency noise that digital sources introduce into the analogue signal path when musical transients cause rapid level changes. DIDRC is implemented in the P-80's DAC analogue filter stage and in the phono amplifier circuit, ensuring that both streaming audio and vinyl playback benefit from the same distortion reduction approach. The onboard AKM AK4452 Premium stereo DAC resolves up to 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and is rated among the industry's lowest-distortion converter chips, preserving fine detail in high-resolution recordings from Tidal, Qobuz, or locally stored files. A fan-less design eliminates mechanical noise entirely, and an aluminium extrusion heatsink manages thermal stability through passive convection rather than forced airflow.

Chassis Design, Vibration Control, and Phono Stage

The P-80's three-piece housing combines two extruded aluminium side panels with a steel top panel, forming an oval chassis with pressed oval lines on the base that distribute and suppress mechanical vibration before it can modulate the signal path. A 5 mm aluminium front panel adds rigidity and mass damping, and hi-fi grade terminals with quality capacitors throughout the signal chain further reduce residual vibration and signal degradation. The MM/MC phono circuit operates on a physically isolated board, independent from all other circuits in the P-80, preventing ground loop contamination from reaching the delicate phono signal. The MC circuit is designed as a fully discrete stage rather than an IC-based implementation, accurately reproducing the extremely low-output signal of moving coil cartridges without added distortion. Both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-amplifier outputs are provided, accommodating power amplifiers with either input topology for maximum system flexibility.

Dirac Live, Fidelity IQ, and Room Correction

Dirac Live Room Correction is built into the P-80 with a bundled Limited version covering the 20 Hz to 500 Hz frequency range. A paid licence upgrade unlocks the Full Bandwidth version, extending correction across the complete 20 Hz to 20 kHz audible range for all connected speakers. An additional optional upgrade, Dirac Live Bass Control, uses machine learning to align the output of both independent subwoofer channels with the main speakers for a seamlessly integrated bass foundation. Fidelity IQ is Onkyo's auto-loudness system that goes beyond standard loudness compensation: during initial setup via the included 3.5 mm microphone input, the system generates frequency response parameters optimised for the specific listening environment, then automatically adjusts the tonal balance for any volume level to maintain the emotional character of the music regardless of listening level or genre. Fidelity IQ operates independently of the tone controls and can be used alongside them.

Streaming, Network Connectivity, and Smart Integration

The P-80 carries Roon Ready certification for bit-perfect lossless playback from a Roon Core server with full metadata and transport control. AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in cover both Apple and Android wireless streaming ecosystems, while DTS Play-Fi extends compatibility to a broader multiroom network. Native streaming services include Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, QQ Music (Qplay), and TuneIn. Bluetooth with SBC, aptX, and aptX HD supports wireless audio from smartphones and computers alongside the network options. Wi-Fi and Ethernet provide wired and wireless network access. The Onkyo Controller app manages input selection, volume, tone controls, and streaming services from a smartphone or tablet at the listening position. HDMI ARC connects a TV's audio to the P-80 over a single HDMI cable, allowing TV app sound to be routed through the preamp and power amplifier chain.

Key Features

• DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry): Patented discrete signal control circuit applied in the DAC analogue filter and phono amplifier stages to reduce high-frequency distortion from digital sources and preserve natural analogue character.
• AKM AK4452 Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz DAC: Ultra-low-distortion stereo converter chip for hi-res audio decoding from digital inputs and network streaming sources.
• Discrete Isolated MM/MC Phono Stage: Fully isolated phono circuit with discrete MC amplifier stage accurately reproducing low-output MC cartridges; switchable MM/MC input sensitivity.
• Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Pre-Outputs: Both output types provided simultaneously for maximum compatibility with power amplifiers of any input topology.
• Dual Independent Subwoofer Outputs: Two independent RCA subwoofer pre-outputs for dual subwoofer systems; compatible with optional Dirac Live Bass Control upgrade for machine-learning subwoofer alignment.
• Dirac Live Room Correction Built In: Limited version (20 Hz to 500 Hz) included; Full Bandwidth (20 Hz to 20 kHz) available via paid licence; Dirac Live Bass Control available as optional upgrade.
• Fidelity IQ Auto Loudness: Room-calibrated auto-loudness system that adjusts tonal balance at any volume level to maintain the emotional character of music, generated via included microphone setup.
• 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, and QQ Music built in; Bluetooth with aptX HD.
• Fan-Less Chassis with Oval Vibration-Suppression Design: No mechanical fan noise; aluminium extrusion heatsink, pressed oval chassis lines, and 5 mm aluminium front panel suppress vibration at every level of the signal chain.
• HDMI ARC Input: Single-cable TV audio connection returning audio from TV apps through the P-80's DAC and pre-amplifier chain.
• Onkyo Controller App: Full remote management of input selection, volume, tone controls, and streaming from any iOS or Android device at the listening position.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 3 x RCA analogue inputs (unbalanced)
• 1 x MM/MC Phono input (discrete isolated board)
• 1 x HDMI ARC input
• 1 x Coaxial digital input
• 1 x Optical digital input
• 1 x USB-A input (storage playback)
• 1 x RCA pre-amplifier output (unbalanced)
• 1 x XLR pre-amplifier output (balanced)
• 2 x RCA subwoofer outputs (independent)
• 1 x 6.35 mm headphone output
• 1 x 3.5 mm setup microphone input
• 1 x 3.5 mm 12V trigger output
• Wi-Fi and LAN (Ethernet)
• Bluetooth (SBC / aptX / aptX HD)

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 P-80?

The Onkyo P-80 is a 2.2-channel network preamplifier from the Icon Series, built around patented DIDRC distortion reduction circuitry, an AKM AK4452 32-bit/768 kHz premium DAC, a discrete isolated MM/MC phono stage, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-outputs, dual independent subwoofer outputs, built-in Dirac Live Room Correction, and a full streaming suite including Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

How does the Onkyo P-80 compare to the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 or NAD C 658?

The P-80 differentiates itself from the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 and NAD C 658 through its patented DIDRC distortion reduction circuitry, which is applied in both the DAC filter stage and the phono amplifier circuit and has no direct equivalent in either competitor. Its discrete isolated MC phono stage outperforms the integrated MM-only stages found in the Evo 150, and the provision of both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-outputs gives it greater power amplifier compatibility than the NAD C 658, which relies on unbalanced outputs only. Dual independent subwoofer outputs with optional Dirac Live Bass Control alignment add a subwoofer integration capability that the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 does not offer, while Qobuz Connect native support covers a streaming service unavailable natively on the NAD C 658.

What is DIDRC and why does it matter for streaming audio?

DIDRC, or Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry, is Onkyo's patented discrete signal control circuit that targets a specific type of distortion that digital audio sources introduce into analogue circuits. When a digital source generates rapid high-frequency transients during loud musical peaks, these can cause intermodulation distortion in the analogue filter and amplification stages that follow, adding a subtle but audible grain or hardness to the sound. DIDRC suppresses these transients at the filter stage in both the DAC output circuit and the phono amplifier, allowing the analogue signal to develop naturally and giving streaming audio and vinyl playback a smoother, more organic character closer to the sound of an analogue source.

What version of Dirac Live comes with the P-80, and what upgrades are available?

The P-80 ships with the Dirac Live Limited version, which corrects the frequency response of the system from 20 Hz to 500 Hz, addressing low-frequency room modes and bass resonances. A paid licence upgrade unlocks Dirac Live Full Bandwidth, extending correction across the complete 20 Hz to 20 kHz audible range for more comprehensive midrange and treble correction. A separate optional paid upgrade, Dirac Live Bass Control, uses machine learning algorithms to independently calibrate the timing, level, and frequency response of each of the P-80's two subwoofer outputs relative to the main speakers for fully optimised bass integration in dual-subwoofer systems.

Can the Onkyo P-80 work with a moving coil turntable cartridge?

Yes, the P-80 includes a switchable MM/MC phono input with a fully discrete MC amplifier circuit on a physically isolated board. The discrete design accurately amplifies the very low output signal of moving coil cartridges, typically between 0.2 mV and 0.6 mV, without the noise floor or circuit-board coupling interference that integrated IC-based MC stages can introduce. The isolated board design also prevents ground loop contamination from other circuits in the P-80 from reaching the phono signal before amplification.

What streaming platforms are natively supported on the P-80?

The P-80 supports Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, TuneIn, and QQ Music (Qplay) natively. Bluetooth with aptX HD provides an additional wireless streaming path from smartphones and computers. The Onkyo Controller app on iOS or Android manages all sources and streaming services from the listening position without leaving the couch.

Where can I buy the Onkyo P-80 in Toronto or Canada?

The Onkyo P-80 Network Preamplifier is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Onkyo dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Onkyo Icon Series lineup and offers in-store demonstration, Dirac Live calibration guidance, and expert advice on pairing the P-80 with a compatible power amplifier for a complete two-channel high-fidelity system.