Onkyo has announced a new range of hi-fi separate components with a style reminiscent of the company's classic stereo models of the 1980s. All three models, the P-3000R pre-amplifier, M-5000R power amplifier, and C-7000R CD player, incorporate Onkyo's new Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry (DIDRC) designed to counteract unwanted high-frequency interference.

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Despite being beyond the normal range of human hearing, frequencies above 100 kHz are susceptible to clock pulses and other forms of distortion from digital devices. Such distortion in the super-high frequency range can generate "beat interference," which Onkyo maintains affects the character or atmosphere of the original sound.

DIDRC works to reduce noise by improving linearity and reducing distortion in the super high frequency range. To further reduce interference, these components feature separate digital and analog circuitry.

P-3000R Preamplifier
The P-3000R pre-amp accepts both analog and digital sources, with connectivity options including AES/EBU digital connectors and a USB input for PC audio. A 32-bit Burr-Brown DAC is provided for each stereo channel. Meanwhile, PLL (phase locked loop) technology minimizes the effect of clock jitter, and bi-amping capability provides greater flexibility for audiophile applications.

M-5000R Power Amplifier

Onkyo's new M-5000R offers the best of the traditional and modern, with large front-panel analog power meters reminiscent of Onkyo's classic M-405 from the 1980s combined with modern distortion reduction technologies.

The company's AWRAT amplification design is at the heart of the M-5000R power amplifier. AWRAT comprises DIDRC technology along with a low NFB design, closed ground-loop circuits, and high instantaneous-current capability. While the 8-ohm FTC rating is a conservative 80 watts, Onkyo claims that the amplifier's current capabilities allow it to drive even the most demanding complex-impedance loudspeakers to high levels, with a dynamic power rating of over 450 watts into 1 ohm. To minimize errors in stereophonic playback, the M-5000R uses a perfectly symmetrical alignment of power devices for the left and right channels.

C-7000R CD Player
To ensure minimal signal interference, the C-7000R CD player employs a thermally regulated, high-precision clock with a crystal oscillator. To further reduce potential interference, the player can be operated in analog-only or digital-only mode. Furthermore, analog and digital circuitry are physically separated and employ independent transformers: a toroidal transformer for analog and an EI transformer for digital.

All three models will be available in January, with manufacturer's suggested retail prices of $1,699 for the P-3000R pre-amplifier, $2,499 for the M-5000R power amplifier, and $1,499 for the C-7000R CD player.