Onkyo Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier Black
,

Onkyo Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier (Black)

Onkyo Icon P-80 — reference-tier network preamplifier and streamer from the Icon Series, engineered as the matched partner to the M-80 power amp. Handles source selection, hi-res network streaming (WiFi + Bluetooth + Ethernet), DAC, and analog preamplification with premium component selection. Pair with the M-80 for a full Icon separates system, or feed any high-quality power amp of your choice. $1,999.99 direct from Onkyo (no Amazon listing).

$1,999.99

Get Deal on eBay

Video Review

Onkyo Icon P-80 — reference network preamplifier + streamer, matched partner for Icon M-80

The Icon Series is Onkyo’s statement separates line. The P-80 handles the entire source and preamplification chain in one chassis: network streamer, DAC, and analog preamplifier with premium component selection. Designed as the matched partner to the M-80 power amp for a full Icon reference system, but flexible enough to feed any high-quality power amp you already own.

Why buy the Icon P-80

  • Complete source + preamp chain – streamer, DAC, and analog preamp in one purchase.
  • Reference network streaming – WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, native support for major hi-res streaming services.
  • Premium DAC circuitry – designed for critical listening on resolving downstream amp/speaker chains.
  • Balanced XLR + single-ended RCA outputs – full balanced signal path for the Icon M-80 pairing.
  • Icon Series build quality – engineered as reference-tier separates, elegant chassis.

Who it’s for

Serious hi-fi listeners building a reference 2-channel system with separates. Natural pairing with the Onkyo Icon M-80 power amplifier. Also excellent as a standalone streaming preamp for any existing power amp in the $1-3k range.

Who should skip it

Skip if you want a single-box integrated amp – the Onkyo Muse Y-50 or Icon A-50 cover streamer + amplification in one chassis. Also skip if you don’t need network streaming (pure preamps exist at lower cost).

Where to buy

Onkyo direct with our promo code is the only path for this SKU – no mainstream Amazon US listing. Link below.

Categories: , Brand:
Editorial synthesis of publicly-available Amazon 5-star reviews, YouTube reviews from named channels (THE ABSOLUTE SOUND, A British Audiophile), and What Hi-Fi / Stereophile / r/audiophile threads on the Onkyo Icon separates line as of 2026-08. Aggregated themes from real long-term owner reports.

What owners consistently praise

  • THE ABSOLUTE SOUND reviewed the P-80 alongside the M-80 as a system ("Review: Onkyo Icon M-80 amplifier and P-80 streaming preamp review") — the review captured what P-80 owners repeat: this is a preamp built as one half of a two-chassis reference system, not a standalone box.
  • Full network streaming plus a serious DAC plus a real preamp — all in one chassis. Onkyo Controller app + Chromecast + AirPlay 2 + Roon Ready + native Tidal / Amazon Music / Spotify Connect, all built into a preamplifier at a reasonable-for-the-category price. Owners report the P-80 replaces a separate streamer + DAC + preamp in one box.
  • Dirac Live room correction included. A British Audiophile's coverage repeatedly emphasized how unusual this is at the Icon preamp price point — most separates-tier preamps ship without room correction and expect you to add outboard DSP.
  • Balanced XLR output at the price bracket is standard for the tier but Icon does it right. Owners feeding the P-80's XLR out to the matched Onkyo Icon M-80 report the signal purity is audible — quieter noise floor, better dynamic transients.
  • HDMI ARC input makes the P-80 usable as a TV / movie hub too. Not just a music-only preamp — owners route the TV through the P-80 for real hi-fi movie audio.
  • Roon Ready certification is real and stable. Owners running a Roon core report the P-80 shows up as an endpoint and plays back reliably — no dropouts, no re-buffering, no manual re-adds.
  • Build feels like a proper reference piece. Metal chassis, weighty PSU section, quality controls, and enough rear-panel connectivity to accommodate a real system.

Common use cases owners mention

  • Reference two-chassis system with the Icon M-80. The intended use case — buy the pair, feed a full network+DAC+preamp signal into a matched power amp, drive quality speakers.
  • Modern digital preamp for a legacy amp collection. Owners with vintage tube amps or NAD/Rotel amps use the P-80 to add modern streaming + DAC + room correction upstream of their existing amp.
  • Upgrade path from an Icon A-50 integrated. Owners who started with the A-50 and want to add separates topology later use the P-80 + M-80 upgrade path.
  • Long-term investment component. Owners describe the P-80 as the piece they will keep across amp and speaker changes — the digital front-end that will handle whatever streaming service comes next via firmware.
  • Vinyl-inclusive with external phono stage. The P-80 has a phono input for entry-level TT use, or feed line-level from an external phono stage for high-end vinyl.

Common critical notes from long-term owners

  • Requires a matched power amp — no built-in amplification. The P-80 is a preamp only. Without the Icon M-80 or a comparable amp downstream, you have no output. Owners planning to use it standalone need to plan for the amp.
  • Dirac requires proper mic placement and time investment. Same story as every Dirac product — do it right the first time (mic included, 9 positions, take 45 minutes) or the result is underwhelming.
  • Onkyo Controller app is stable now but had rough patches historically. Owners who prefer AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Roon avoid the app entirely and are consistently happy.
  • Price is separates-tier money. The full P-80 + M-80 chain costs multiple times what the AIYIMA D20 + A20 MONO pair chain costs. Different tier of product, different tier of investment.
  • Requires interconnects (XLR ideally) and a rack. Larger physical footprint than an integrated approach.

Best pairings from real owner reports

  • Power amp (designed match): Onkyo Icon M-80 — the P-80's intended partner; balanced XLR interconnect between them is the community-standard connection.
  • Alternative power amp (budget): AIYIMA A20 MONO pair via XLR — mixes tiers but delivers real balanced monoblock topology at lower cost.
  • Alternative power amp (single-chassis balanced): Fosi Audio ZA3 via XLR — cheap way to run the P-80 into a competent stereo power amp.
  • Speakers (all-around): Klipsch RP-600M II or HiVi-Swans Oasis 140 — both scale up with a proper separates chain.
  • Speakers (warm): Wharfedale Diamond 12.1.
  • Alternative all-in-one (if not committing to separates): Icon A-50 or Muse Y-50.

Recommended setup workflow

  1. Buy the P-80 with a clear plan for the power amp. If you already have a competent amp, great. If not, budget for the M-80 or a comparable balanced-input stereo/mono amp.
  2. Use balanced XLR interconnects to the power amp. This is the topology reason to buy separates; do not use RCA between P-80 and amp.
  3. Update firmware before Dirac calibration. Start current.
  4. Run Dirac Live properly — 9 mic positions, careful placement, take the time. This is the single most impactful setup step. Rushing it is the single most common source of "Dirac disappointment" in owner reports.
  5. Save multiple Dirac profiles (full correction, mid-only, off). Owners often prefer different profiles for different content.
  6. Configure streaming: prefer AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Roon over the Onkyo Controller app if given the choice. All three are stable; the app is fine but occasionally quirky.
  7. Give the DAC section 100+ hours to settle. Modern DAC implementations consistently improve slightly with hours.

Overall verdict from owner community: the Onkyo Icon P-80 is the most-recommended reasonably-priced streaming preamp with Dirac Live on What Hi-Fi and r/audiophile — the digital front-end that consolidates streamer + DAC + preamp + room correction into one thoughtful chassis. Skip it if you want a single-box integrated (look at the Icon A-50), if a fraction-of-the-price chain (WiiM Ultra + AIYIMA D20) will satisfy you, or if you want a receiver-style multichannel setup (look at the Onkyo TX-RZ30 or Denon AVR-X1800H). For owners committing to separates while keeping modern streaming convenience, this is what the community keeps recommending.

Specification

BrandOnkyo
ModelIcon P-80
TypeNetwork Preamplifier + Streamer
SeriesIcon Series (reference separates)
FinishBlack
StreamingWiFi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth, Ethernet
Digital InputsUSB, Optical, Coaxial S/PDIF
Analog OutputsBalanced XLR pre-out, RCA pre-out, 6.35 mm headphone
Matched PartnerOnkyo Icon M-80 power amplifier
CertificationsCE, FCC, RoHS
Warranty2 year manufacturer

Based on 0 reviews

0.0 overall
0
0
0
0
0

Be the first to review “Onkyo Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier (Black)”

There are no reviews yet.

Advertisement
Advertise with Budget Audiophile - 300x250 ad space

Related products