AliceAugust sees Onkyo launch two new products, comprising the NS-6170 Network Audio Player and the R-N855 Network Stereo Receiver.
Unveiled with a fully featured NS-6130 sibling, the reference-quality NS-6170 presents itself as a solution that combines the ‘ease of digital audio with the atmosphere and soul of pure analogue.’ How it does this is by taking on a new wideband DIDRC Filter (replacing the standard DAC output filter), aiming to eliminate ultra-high-frequency distortion generated as a result of the digital-to-analogue conversion process.
Available in September in black or silver for £699, the NS-6170 makes use of its traditional twin-monaural circuit layout and wideband filtering technology to exploit the untapped potential of 11.2 MHz DSD and 192 kHz/24-bit PCM Hi-Res Audio. The NS-6130 will also be available in black or silver in September, only priced at £449.
Equipped with Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify, Wi-Fi and HDD-ready USB input, the network audio player is based on a twin-monaural L/R channel layout with separate power supply paths, custom capacitors for each channel and dual-differential 768 kHz/32-bit AK4490 DACs to decode the positive and negative halves of the signal waveform.
For music lovers looking to update an existing Hi-Fi system with audio casting and USB-HDD playback, the NS-6130 retains key features, including flagship AK4490 768 kHz/32-bit DAC, symmetrical L/R-channel circuitry and VLSC digital pulse-noise filtering.
Both the NS-6170 and NS-6130 incorporate HDD audio via rear USB input, whilst a new control App simplifies selection within a user-friendly interface that displays album art and song information, together with on-demand music from TIDAL, TuneIn and Deezer.
Users can stream directly from the Spotify App or cast audio from any smartphone or PC application that supports Google Cast or AirPlay, while dual-band 5GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi ensures stability in congested network environments.
Moving on to the new R-N855 Network Stereo Receiver, this has been optimised to bring offline and online sources together with USB-HDD music server capabilities and Spotify, AirPlay, Google Cast, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio casting technologies.
This amplifier boasts what the manufacturer calls a ‘massive customised EI transformer’ and two huge capacitors into a half-width metal chassis. The space-saving design is made possible by Onkyo-original switching amplification with discrete modulation stage, which develops 70W x 70W of power with low distortion levels.
Combined with a flagship AK4490 768 kHz/32-bit DAC and original VLSC filtering, it is capable of powering difficult-to-drive or highly sensitive bookshelf speakers.
Also engineered for Hi-Res Audio playback including 11.2 MHz DSD and 192 kHz/24-bit PCM, the R-N855 connects compatible HDDs via rear USB input and enables music selection via smartphone app complete with artwork and filter/search functions.
It is worth pointing out that Onkyo cannot guarantee, nor has it tested, correct operation with all HDD brands and device types; HDD must be formatted to FAT32.
A future firmware update will enable full music server capability with audio files writable to HDD via personal computer. With App-based streaming via Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, almost any music can be flicked from phone to stereo.
It also takes on inbuilt TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn services, FM/RDS/DAB+ tuners, phono input for turntable and gold-plated 192 kHz/24-bit capable digital coaxial and optical inputs for CD or PC audio.
The R-N855 receiver forms the centrepiece of Onkyo’s new CS-N1075 Compact Hi-Fi System. This package includes a matching C-755 Compact Disc Player featuring a 1.6mm full-flat chassis and aluminium front panel with AKM 192 kHz/24-bit DAC and VLSC processing.
A pair of D-175 2-Way speakers with 13cm N-OMF diaphragm woofers and 3.0cm ring-modulation tweeters completes this system.
Available in October in black or silver, the CS-N1075 Compact Hi-Fi System will cost £1,049, the R-N855 Network Receiver is priced at £549, while the C-755 CD player costs £349.