The new Onkyo TX-8470 is a two-channel network receiver with an on-board Class G amplifier stage.
If you are looking for a modern “central hub” for living room entertainment, you may be right with the brand new Onkyo TX-8470. You stream with it as easily as you play TV sound, for example. The device handles both analog and digital sources and supports 4K HDMI. Internally, an AKM 32-bit /768 kHz-capable DAC takes care of digital-to-analog conversion. Streaming is not a problem either, with Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music and Spotify supported. Multiroom is easy to set up via AirPlay or Chromecast, while the whole device is also Roon Ready. And as befits a true receiver, an AM, FM and DAB+ tuner are also on board.
Class G
The power amplifier stage in the Onkyo TX-8470 is a Class G one. In case you have never heard of class G, then let us explain this technique briefly. In essence, it is the same as class AB, with the big difference being that now an extra supply voltage is used. If you play music at a low volume, the amplifier simply uses a lower supply voltage. If you increase the volume level (or when that happens “automatically” in the music being listened to, for example), it seamlessly switches to a higher supply voltage. This behavior yields a higher level of efficiency down the line.
The Onkyo TX-8470 is available immediately for $799.