Onkyo Muse Y-50 Network Integrated Amplifier

Description

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About the Onkyo Muse Y-50 Network Integrated Amplifier

The Onkyo Muse Y-50 Network Integrated Amplifier’s Axign Class D amplifier delivers 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms. Therefore, the Y-50 can partner with compact bookshelf speakers or demanding floorstanding designs.

Streaming support includes Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Cast. Wi-Fi and Ethernet are both included.

The Y-50 also features HDMI ARC, an additional HDMI input and output, optical and coaxial digital inputs, USB music playback, three analogue inputs, and an MM/MC phono stage. A subwoofer output, stereo pre-out, and 6.3mm headphone socket add further flexibility.

A 5.46-inch colour display shows album information, settings, and analogue-style VU meters. Meanwhile, Onkyo Room EQ helps adapt the system to the listening space.

What We Think

The Muse Y-50 feels like an important amplifier for Onkyo.

It combines the brand’s long-standing amplifier experience with the connectivity expected from a current premium streaming system. More importantly, it does so without reducing the amplifier to a basic app-controlled box.

The large central display, illuminated controls, aluminium front panel, and San Kuzushi-patterned top ventilation give it a distinctive identity. It looks modern, yet the VU-meter display adds a welcome connection to traditional Hi-Fi.

Its strongest feature is the combination of power and versatility. A published 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms gives it considerable real-world headroom. Meanwhile, the 250-watt rating into 4 ohms makes it suitable for speakers that need stronger current delivery and control.

The connection selection is unusually comprehensive. You can connect a television, turntable, CD player, game console, music server, subwoofer, headphones, and several analogue sources without immediately needing external switchers or adaptors.

We also appreciate the inclusion of both MM and MC cartridge support. Many streaming amplifiers either omit phono completely or provide only a basic MM input.

There are a few considerations. The screen is not touch-sensitive, Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC, and the Y-50 does not provide balanced XLR connections. However, these limitations do little to reduce its appeal as a powerful, beautifully presented, and highly capable stereo centrepiece.

 

 

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The Onkyo Muse Y-50 is ideal for:

• Music listeners wanting one premium amplifier for streaming and physical source
• Systems requiring substantial output power
• Passive bookshelf or floorstanding speakers
• Television owners wanting better stereo sound through HDMI ARC
• Vinyl listeners using an MM or MC cartridge
• Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple, and Google ecosystem users
• Buyers wanting both Wi-Fi and Ethernet
• Systems combining music, television, and gaming
• Listeners wanting optional room correction
• Users who value a large colour display
• Buyers who enjoy analogue-style VU meters
• Systems that may later add a powered subwoofer
• Headphone listening through a full-size 6.3mm connection
• Anyone replacing several separate source and amplifier components

 

Reviews & Insights

• 91mobiles awarded the Y-50 an overall editor’s rating of 9/10. The reviewer praised its commanding power, comprehensive connectivity, build quality, wide imaging, and energetic yet refined presentation. However, the non-touch display, busy remote, and basic Bluetooth codecs were identified as drawbacks.
• Premium Sound found the Y-50 capable of combining substantial power with modern streaming and flexible system integration. Its display, connectivity, compact proportions, and speaker-driving ability were central to the assessment.
• What Hi-Fi? reported that the Muse Series represents Onkyo’s return to modern streaming amplification. It highlighted the Y-50’s 250-watt output, large display, Room EQ, wide streaming support, and MM/MC phono compatibility.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Onkyo Muse Y-50?
   The Y-50 is a two-channel network integrated amplifier. It combines a music streamer, DAC, stereo preamplifier, power amplifier, phono stage, headphone output, HDMI connectivity, and room-correction system in one compact chassis.
2. How powerful is the Onkyo Muse Y-50?
   Onkyo rates it at 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms from 20Hz to 20kHz, with both channels driven at 0.08% THD. It is also rated at 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms at 1kHz and 0.7% THD.
3. Which speakers work with the Y-50?
   It supports speakers with a published nominal impedance from 4 to 16 ohms. Its high output makes it suitable for many bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. However, speaker sensitivity, impedance behaviour, room size, and required volume should all be considered.
4. Does the Muse Y-50 have music streaming built in?
   Yes. It supports Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Cast. It can also access compatible music-server content through a home network.
5. Can I connect the Y-50 to my television?
   Yes. HDMI ARC allows a compatible television to send audio to the amplifier. This creates a proper stereo television and music system. The Y-50 also has optical digital input for televisions that do not provide suitable ARC operation.
6. Can I connect a game console to the Y-50?
   Yes. The dedicated HDMI input and output support video pass-through. Published video features include 4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, VRR, ALLM, QFT, QMS, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Compatibility still depends on the complete HDMI chain.
7. Does the Y-50 work with a turntable?
   Yes. Its dedicated phono input supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. Check the cartridge’s output and loading requirements against Onkyo’s detailed instructions before connection.
8. What does Onkyo Room EQ do?
   Room EQ measures how the listening environment affects sound and applies correction to improve the in-room frequency balance. It can be particularly useful for managing bass peaks caused by walls, corners, and room dimensions.
9. Is the 5.46-inch display a touchscreen?
   No. The display shows track information, album artwork, settings, and VU meters, but it does not respond to touch. Use the physical controls, remote, or Onkyo Controller app instead.
10. Can I add a subwoofer to the Y-50?
    Yes. A dedicated mono subwoofer output can feed a compatible powered subwoofer. This is useful for extending bass response with bookshelf speakers or adding greater impact to television and movie sound.
11. Can the Y-50 be used with an external power amplifier?
    Yes. Its stereo RCA pre-out can send the volume-controlled signal to a compatible external power amplifier. This also gives the system a degree of future upgrade flexibility.
12. Does the Y-50 support Bluetooth headphones?
    Bluetooth reception with SBC and AAC is published. However, Bluetooth transmission to wireless headphones is not publicly confirmed. Use the front 6.3mm headphone output for conventional wired headphone listening.
13. Can the Y-50 play music from a USB drive?
    Yes. Its USB-A connection supports storage playback. File-system, format, capacity, and maximum-resolution details should be checked in the current Onkyo manual before preparing a large music drive.
14. What is the difference between the Onkyo Muse Y-50 and Y-40?
    The Y-50 is the more powerful model. It delivers up to 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms, compared with the Y-40’s published 150 watts. The Y-50 also includes Onkyo Room EQ, which is not provided on the Y-40.

 

Key Features & Benefits

Axign Class D Amplification

The Y-50 uses an Axign Class D amplifier with MOSFET output devices and a fully digital circuit design.

It produces 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms across 20Hz to 20kHz, with both channels driven. Output increases to 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms under Onkyo’s published 1kHz measurement.

As a result, the amplifier offers enough power for a wide variety of bookshelf and floorstanding speakers.

Integrated Network Streaming

Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Cast are built in.

You can select music from the relevant service app and send it directly to the Y-50. Therefore, everyday listening does not require a separate network streamer.

Music-server playback is also supported for compatible locally stored libraries.

5.46-Inch Colour Display

A central 5.46-inch LCD provides a clear visual interface.

It can show track information, album artwork, menus, and operating status. An analogue-style VU-meter display adds visual movement while music is playing.

The display is not touch-sensitive. Control is handled through the front-panel controls, remote, or Onkyo Controller app.

Onkyo Room EQ

The Y-50 includes Onkyo Room EQ, a proprietary room-calibration system developed for the Muse Series.

The system measures the listening environment and applies correction to help manage room-related frequency-response problems. This can be useful where furniture, room shape, and speaker placement affect bass balance.

Room correction remains optional. Therefore, listeners can compare the calibrated and uncorrected presentations.

HDMI ARC for Television Sound

HDMI ARC allows a compatible television to send sound to the Y-50 through one HDMI cable.

This creates a higher-quality alternative to a soundbar while retaining a proper two-channel music system. Television volume and power control will depend on the HDMI-CEC implementation of the connected equipment.

Additional HDMI Input and Video Output

The Y-50 also provides an HDMI input and HDMI output for compatible video sources.

Published support includes 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz video, plus VRR, QFT, ALLM, QMS, SBTM, DSC, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HDCP 2.3.

Therefore, a game console or another compatible HDMI source can pass video through the amplifier to a display.

MM and MC Phono Stage

A dedicated phono input supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges.

This gives turntable owners more cartridge flexibility than an MM-only input. It also removes the immediate need for a separate phono preamplifier.

Cartridge output and loading requirements should still be checked before connection.

Extensive Analogue and Digital Inputs

Three pairs of stereo RCA line inputs support traditional source components.

Meanwhile, optical and coaxial digital inputs accommodate compatible televisions, CD players, transports, and other digital sources. USB-A playback is also available for compatible storage devices.

Stereo Pre-Out and Subwoofer Output

A stereo RCA pre-out allows the Y-50 to feed an external power amplifier or another suitable component.

A separate mono subwoofer output makes it easy to add a powered subwoofer. This is especially useful with compact speakers or systems used for television and movies.

6.3mm Headphone Output

A front-mounted 6.3mm socket supports conventional wired headphones.

It provides a convenient listening option when speakers would disturb other people. Headphones with a 3.5mm plug will require a suitable adaptor.

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth

Wi-Fi provides convenient wireless network access. Alternatively, the 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet connection offers a wired network option.

Bluetooth supports the SBC and AAC codecs. It is useful for quick playback from guests’ devices, although network streaming is generally preferable for critical listening.

Fanless Construction

The Y-50 uses passive ventilation rather than an internal cooling fan.

This avoids fan noise during quiet music and low-volume listening. The ventilated top panel must remain unobstructed to provide sufficient airflow.

Japanese-Inspired Industrial Design

The rigid aluminium front panel gives the amplifier a premium appearance and helps manage vibration.

Its top ventilation uses a San Kuzushi pattern inspired by Japanese design. The Y-50 is available in black and silver, subject to regional availability.

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System Match

The Muse Y-50 is an excellent match for the Paradigm Founder 40B bookshelf speakers and an SVS SB-2000 Pro subwoofer.

The Paradigm speakers provide strong resolution, imaging, and dynamic range. Meanwhile, the Y-50 has enough power to control them confidently at realistic listening levels.

Connect the television through HDMI ARC. Then use the Y-50’s network platform for music streaming and its dedicated subwoofer output for the SVS subwoofer.

After placing the speakers and subwoofer, run Onkyo Room EQ. Compare the calibrated result with the uncorrected setting, then choose the presentation that sounds most natural in the room.

For a larger space, the Y-50 can also support a move to capable floorstanding speakers without requiring an immediate amplifier upgrade.

 

Specifications

Brand: Onkyo
Series: Muse
Model: Y-50
Product Type: Network streamer and integrated stereo amplifier
Amplifier Channels: 2
Pre-Amplifier Channels: 2.1
Amplifier Type: Axign Class D
Output Devices: MOSFET
Published Output into 8 Ohms: 125W per channel, 20Hz to 20kHz, 0.08% THD, two channels driven
Published Output into 4 Ohms: 250W per channel, 1kHz, 0.7% THD, two channels driven
Supported Speaker Impedance: 4 to 16 ohms
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 30kHz, +1/–3dB
Bass Control: 100Hz, ±10dB
Treble Control: 10kHz, ±10dB
Room Correction: Onkyo Room EQ
Analogue Line Inputs: Three stereo RCA pairs
Phono Input: One stereo RCA pair
Phono Cartridge Support: Moving magnet and moving coil
Optical Digital Input: One
Coaxial Digital Input: One
HDMI Input: One
HDMI ARC: Yes
HDMI Output: One
HDMI HDCP Support: HDCP 2.3
Maximum Published HDMI Video: 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz
Published HDMI Features: VRR, QFT, ALLM, QMS, SBTM, DSC, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
USB Connection: USB-A for compatible storage playback
Network Music Server Support: Yes
Stereo Pre-Out: One unbalanced RCA pair
Subwoofer Output: One mono RCA
Headphone Output: One 6.3mm stereo jack
Speaker Outputs: One stereo speaker-terminal set
Wi-Fi: Yes
Ethernet: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Bluetooth: Yes
Bluetooth Codecs: SBC and AAC
Spotify Connect: Yes
TIDAL Connect: Yes
Qobuz Connect: Yes
AirPlay 2: Yes
Google Cast: Yes
Control App: Onkyo Controller
Display: 5.46-inch colour LCD
VU-Meter Display: Yes
Touchscreen: No
Cooling Fan: No
Front Panel: Aluminium
Top Ventilation Pattern: San Kuzushi-inspired design
Available Standard Colours: Black and silver, subject to region
Width: 350mm
Height: 99mm
Depth: 337mm
Weight: 4.9kg
Boxed Width: 465mm
Boxed Height: 225mm
Boxed Depth: 405mm
Published EMEA/APAC Boxed Weight: 7.2kg to 7.6kg, depending on regional package
Power Requirement: AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz
EMEA/APAC Power Consumption: 115W
Network Standby Consumption: Less than 1.8W
Conventional Standby Consumption: Less than 0.4W
Firmware Updates: Supported

Published Package Contents:

• Onkyo Muse Y-50
• Remote control
• Power cable
• Documentation

Rapallo Product Data

MPN: Y-50
Published APAC Black EAN/GTIN: 4573211155969

 

Why Buy From Rapallo

✔ Practical advice from experienced New Zealand audio specialists
✔ Help matching the Y-50 with suitable speakers
✔ Guidance on room size, speaker impedance, and required power
✔ Assistance with HDMI ARC and television integration
✔ Help setting up streaming services and network connections
✔ Turntable and cartridge compatibility advice
✔ Guidance on adding and configuring a subwoofer
✔ Carefully selected speakers, cables, turntables, and accessories
✔ New Zealand-based service and after-sales support
✔ Secure nationwide delivery
✔ Support before and after your purchase