Product review: Onkyo Muse Y-40 Network Stereo Amplifier

 

Two large dials sit either side of a 5.46-inch colour LCD display, which doubles as the main control screen and can show a selection of different VU meters. It’s a lovely touch that blends vintage-inspired styling with modern technology. Available in sleek black or silver, the Y-50 should look right at home in just about any hi-fi setup.

 

The Muse Y-50 packs a serious punch for an amplifier of its size. At just 35cm wide and deep, it takes up less space than a traditional hi-fi amp, yet delivers a hefty 250W per channel into 4 ohms, or 125W into 8 ohms. That’s plenty of power to get the best out of a wide range of speakers, from compact bookshelf models like the DALI Menuet SE to larger floorstanders such as the Fyne Audio F502S.

 

When I demoed the Y-50 at our Richer Sounds Chelsea store, I paired it with the DALI Opticon 6 MK2 floorstanders and put it through its paces with a classic: Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain. It’s intro is great for testing an amplifier, with its changes in dynamics, deep bass drum kicks and sharp guitar plucks. The Y-50 handled it brilliantly. The kick drum had real weight and presence, filling the room with bass while remaining controlled as the guitar came in. It delivered an engaging performance that made the most of the track’s dynamic shifts.

We also tried the Y-50 with vinyl through its phono input and CD through one of its three line-level inputs. If you’ve already got a CD player you love, there’s no need to replace it; you can connect it via the coaxial input and continue enjoying the sound from the DAC you’re used to. There’s plenty of flexibility for other sources, too. A USB-A input lets you play music stored on an external device, while HDMI, HDMI ARC and optical connections make it easy to integrate your TV or games console into your setup. Wireless streaming is just as well catered for. The Y-50 supports Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music and TIDAL Connect, alongside AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth. Whatever your preferred way of listening, you’ve got plenty of options for getting your music playing without having to leave your favourite seat on the sofa.

 

The Y-50 isn’t just about looks and power. Its fanless cooling system means there’s no distracting fan noise to spoil your listening sessions, even when you’re enjoying music for hours at a time. It also comes with Onkyo’s room correction software, allowing you to calibrate the sound to suit your listening space. By measuring the room and adjusting the sound accordingly, it helps tackle unwanted reflections and create a more balanced, natural listening experience. For anyone building a high-resolution multi-room setup, the Y-50 is also Roon Ready making it easy to integrate into a compatible music system.

 

The Onkyo Muse Y-50 is well worth considering if you’re after an amplifier that combines classic hi-fi styling with modern connectivity, impressive power and plenty of useful features. It’s compact enough to fit comfortably into a variety of setups, but powerful enough to drive a wide range of speakers with confidence. The best way to appreciate what it can do is to hear it for yourself. Pop into your local Richer Sounds store and ask for a demo. Our friendly team will be happy to get the Y-50 set up, talk you through its features and help you find the right speakers to pair with it. After all, choosing a new amplifier is about more than the spec sheet — it’s about finding the sound that works for you.