To mark its 80th anniversary, Japanese audio veteran Onkyo isn’t looking backward. Instead, it’s launching something very much rooted in how people listen today. Meet the Muse series—a new generation of compact, integrated streaming amplifiers designed for modern stereo systems, where music lives on the network and simplicity matters.
The Muse lineup consists of two models: Y-40 and Y-50. Both are all-in-one network amplifiers built around a fully digital signal path and Axign Class D amplification, combining traditional hi-fi values with contemporary streaming convenience.
Compact amplifiers with real power
Despite their slim profiles—each standing just under 10 cm tall—the Muse amplifiers are designed to drive proper loudspeakers without the need for racks full of boxes.
-
Y-50 delivers up to 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms (250 watts into 4 ohms)
-
Y-40 offers 75 watts per channel into 8 ohms (150 watts into 4 ohms)
Both models share identical chassis dimensions and are available in black or silver finishes. The design is understated but confident, highlighted by a large, tactile volume knob and ventilation grilles inspired by the traditional Japanese San Kuzushi pattern—a subtle nod to Onkyo’s heritage.
One of the defining features of the Muse series is the 5.46-inch full-color display. Instead of being decorative fluff, it’s genuinely useful: album artwork, track metadata, and even classic-style VU meters are shown clearly at a glance. The idea is simple—less time staring at your phone, more time enjoying the music.
System control is handled through the Onkyo Controller app, with full support for Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2. Both Ethernet and Wi-Fi are built in.
Onkyo Y-50
The Y-50 is the more ambitious of the two. Around the back, you’ll find three analog RCA inputs, a coaxial digital input, HDMI ARC for TV and console audio, and a built-in MM/MC phono stage for vinyl lovers. A dedicated subwoofer pre-out and upgraded speaker terminals round out the package.
Onkyo also includes Onkyo Room EQ, allowing basic room calibration to help the amplifier adapt to real-world listening spaces. It’s a feature increasingly expected in this category—and one that helps the Y-50 compete with more feature-heavy rivals.
Onkyo Y-40
The Y-40 shares the same digital architecture, Axign Class D amplification, and color display as its bigger sibling. Streaming support is identical, with access to all major platforms over Wi-Fi or Ethernet via the Onkyo Controller app.
Connectivity includes three analog RCA inputs, a coaxial digital input, HDMI ARC, and a phono input for MM cartridges. Bluetooth is also on board for quick, casual playback, and a subwoofer output allows the Y-40 to anchor a compact but flexible two-channel system.
Pricing and availability
The first deliveries of the Onkyo Y-40 and Y-50 are expected to begin in May 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced.
With the Muse series, Onkyo isn’t chasing nostalgia—it’s refining the idea of what a modern integrated amplifier should be: compact, powerful, streaming-first, and built to last. Eighty years in, that feels like a confident way to move forward.
