Onkyo’s audiophile roots make themselves felt, and the company decided to create the M-5000R – an updated version of its famous hi-fi power amplifier from the 70s, and based on all the latest audio technologies created by the company’s engineers over the years.
The quality and integrity of the M-5000R’s audio path is carefully preserved thanks to the new AWRAT wideband amplification technology. And the three-stage power amplification circuit using inverted Darlington transistors provides extremely high efficiency. output stages. Two massive toroidal transformers and four storage capacitors with a capacity of 27,000 μF each provide complete stabilization of the supply voltage and delivery of high currents to the load. In addition, to minimize errors in stereo playback, the amplifier carefully matches the characteristics of the power semiconductors for symmetry in the left and right channels.
The Onkyo M-5000R stereo power amplifier is a representative of the revived R series, which became legendary in the 70s of the last century. Undoubtedly, the technologies used in the development of the new R series are among the most modern and advanced. But the recognizable appearance – huge dial indicators on the front panel and luxurious finishes – were inherited by the devices from their predecessors from the 70s.
What is the M-5000R amplifier? As you know, music can touch the deepest strings of your soul and literally take the listener to another reality. True, there is one condition: an exceptionally high-quality system. The Onkyo M-5000R meets all the requirements for high-quality amplifiers and, without a doubt, will reveal every musical composition to the fullest.
The M-5000R’s signal quality is amazingly high, achieved through the use of new AWRAT wideband amplification technology. The three-stage amplification circuit based on inverted Darlington transistors provides extremely high efficiency of the output stages. Two massive toroidal transformers and four capacitors with a capacity of 27,000 μF each stabilize the supply voltage and deliver high currents to the load. And in addition, the amplifier carefully matches the characteristics of power semiconductors for symmetry in the left and right channels, which ensures that errors in stereo playback are minimized.
The Onkyo M-5000R power amplifier is far from the smallest, and its parameters look very interesting. Judging by the design, the device operates in class AB and in many ways resembles many transistor amplifiers, but at the same time it is not without some proprietary features of the circuit. Everything is neatly collected inside. Without particularly expensive audiophile components, but carefully and efficiently. And structurally everything is done with a good margin, moreover, the circuit is close to symmetrical, including a pair of power transformers. On the outside, the device is enclosed in a neat aluminum case that hides both the filling and the impressive transistor radiators. Compared to many modern devices, such a classic appearance, complemented by a pair of dial indicators, cannot but seem attractive. And what’s also nice is that the indication, firstly, is completely unobtrusive, and secondly, if you wish, you can turn it off completely.
In terms of switching, the amplifier is quite familiar and everything you need is there – both signal inputs and good connectors for an acoustic cable with the ability to connect spades, bananas and an undivided cable, there are also trigger connectors for joint control of system components. There is only one thing that is unusual – in stereo mode the device allows only unbalanced switching, but if you use the amplifier in bridge mode, then only balanced switching is possible. And one more point, important if a bridge mode is planned – the acoustic terminals are spaced quite far from each other and not every cable can be used here.
The Onkyo M-5000R’s perforated top cover reveals the large capacitance in the power supply and the overall symmetrical topology of the amplifier, including individual toroidal transformers for each channel, hidden under round housings. Most likely, this separation serves another interesting practical purpose – each amplifier provides a true balanced amplification circuit for one channel. Therefore, if you want to get yourself a balanced stereo amplifier from Onkyo, you will have to purchase two M-5000Rs, which is why there is only one XLR connector on the rear panel. By switching the corresponding toggle switch, a conventional amplifier turns into a monophonic, but fully balanced amplifier operating in bridge mode. An original solution that inspires respect for the developers. How often have we seen in recent years attempts to sell to the buyer counterfeits of balanced amplifiers and signal sources, the entire “balance” of which consisted in installing the corresponding connector on the rear panel. Here everything is honest, without deception.
Despite the use of two transformers and four capacitors with a capacity of 27,000 uF each in the power supply, as well as the weight of the amplifier more than 23 kilograms, the declared power remains modest, only 80 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load. However, experience suggests that this should be more than enough to control most speaker systems, given the amplifier’s solid power output and its ability to push output up to 150 watts into 4 ohms.
Onkyo M-5000R Features
Maximum power 170 W/ch (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 1%, dual channel, IEC)
AWRAT (Advanced Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
DIDRC (Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry) )
Parallel push-pull amplification circuit with three-stage Darlington transistors
Symmetrical topology of the left and right channels
Two massive toroidal transformers with an auxiliary transformer
Four large capacitors with a capacity of 27000 uF
Separate anti-vibration aluminum panels – top, front, side
New printed circuit board design to minimize vibrations
Bi-connection capability Amping and BTL (Bridged Transless)
Balanced XLR input for mono amplification in BTL bridge mode
Gold-plated RCA connectors and speaker terminals
12V trigger input and output
Large peak power dial indicators with fast response
Specifications Onkyo M-5000R
Power 150 W (4 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.05% THD)
80 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.05% THD)
100 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
Peak power 170 W
Recommended load impedance 4 – 16 Ohm
Frequency range 5 – 100000 Hz (0/-1 dB)
Harmonic distortion 0.005% (1 kHz)
Signal-to-noise ratio 110 dB
Damping factor 130
Bi/Tri-amping Yes
Power supply Built-in
Power consumption 280 W
Interfaces
Inputs Linear , trigger, PreAmp, balanced mono input XLR
Outputs Trigger
Speaker connectors Screw
Dimensions 435 x 188 x 433 mm
Weight 23.5 kg
