Onkyo Expands Its Icon Series Lineup with the New C-30 High-Performance CD Player

(July 29, 2025) Onkyo is bolstering its all-new Icon Series with the introduction of the C-30 High-Performance CD Player, a music machine tailored specifically for audiophiles and enthusiasts who remain committed to physical media. Priced at an attractive $349, the C-30 is definitively positioned to please the ears without ripping apart the wallet.

At the heart of the C-30 is Onkyo’s proprietary Vector Linear Shaping Circuit (VLSC) technology. This exclusive circuitry employs advanced algorithms to eliminate pulse noise from the digital audio stream, resulting in clear and distortion-free sound. Paired with its premium-grade 24-bit/192kHz DAC, the player achieves an impressive 107 dB signal-to-noise ratio for a quiet sonic backdrop.
The C-30’s performance is further refined through its high-precision ±10PPM clock, ensuring accurate timing and maintaining a stable stereo image.

Physically, the player exhibits the same meticulous craftsmanship seen throughout the Icon Series. A vibration-resistant, blast-finished aluminum front panel reduces resonance. And connectivity is versatile, including Hi-Fi grade RCA, optical, and digital coaxial outputs, making it straightforward to integrate with a variety of premium audio systems.

The C-30 supports playback of standard CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, along with MP3 and WMA file formats, ensuring broad compatibility with your music library.

First unveiled at CES 2025, Onkyo’s Icon Series is an interesting blend of advanced technologies and elegant, contemporary designs. Alongside the C-30, the series includes the A-50 integrated amplifier ($1,599), P-80 network preamplifier ($1,999), and M-80 power amplifier ($1,999). These models offer high-current, high-resolution performance wrapped in slick, stylized chassis.

Notably, the A-50 integrated amplifier brings robust power to the party (110 watts at 8 ohms, 180 watts at 4 ohms) with features that include phono inputs and DIRAC Limited room correction. The P-80 preamp supports advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Roon Ready functionality, coupled with DIRAC room correction and bass management upgrades. The M-80 amplifier adds substantial muscle, delivering 130 watts at 8 ohms and 200 watts at 4 ohms, with the classic touch of analog volume unit meters.

With nearly eight decades of audio innovation under its belt, Onkyo’s Icon Series, including the new C-30, represents an exciting new direction for the brand. Definitely something to keep your eye on.

Related Reading:

• On the Latest HTNR: Pioneer Dropped From Premium Audio Company’s Brand Lineup as Focus Shifts to Onkyo
• Onkyo's New Creator Series Offers Fresh Take on Desktop Audio
• Onkyo Unveils Its Stunning New Icon Series of AV Components
• Onkyo Reimagined: The Brand Reveals Big Plans for 2025 and Beyond

 

[Mr.Satyre]

Spend thousands on the ICON preamp, amp, and integrated---with balanced ins---but only $349 for a rebadged 7030 with no additional balanced outs. I'm sensing a disconnect here.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Spend thousands on the ICON preamp, amp, and integrated---with balanced ins---but only $349 for a rebadged 7030 with no additional balanced outs. I'm sensing a disconnect here.

You make a good point... I didn't see the obvious, here. Strangely, balanced outs weren't integrated into the package... why? Really good question.

 

[symphara]

I have to say, I love the look - the whole Icon series looks high class. Shame they didn't offer SACD playback with this one.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I agree!!! That, to me, seems like an obvious inclusion and lure to hook buyers, but because it would require special hardware and decoding circuitry, going that route would have boosted the overall cost beyond the price point onkyo was looking to hit.

That said, ICON is leaning toward the high end, so it would have been nice to have it included!

 

[symphara]

The other separates in the series are thousands, they could have included SACD capability and upped the price from the measly $349 but what do I know...

 

[Mr.Satyre]

I agree!!! That, to me, seems like an obvious inclusion and lure to hook buyers, but because it would require special hardware and decoding circuitry, going that route would have boosted the overall cost beyond the price point onkyo was looking to hit.

That said, ICON is leaning toward the high end, so it would have been nice to have it included!

Yes, SACD would have required

The other separates in the series are thousands, they could have included SACD capability and upped the price from the measly $349 but what do I know...

I know you're right!

 

[Todd Anderson]

It's definitely a bit odd in that regard. I'd like to see some data on how the market shakes out... we have UDP owners that pay upwards of $1K or more for players that, for the most part, play SACDs. Would the same market hold true for a single tray CD player that can't play Blu-ray/4K UHD?

Not sure the answer to that is positive... especially considering how many players have jumped ship from the UDP and BD/4K UHD market.

 

[Mr.Satyre]

It's definitely a bit odd in that regard. I'd like to see some data on how the market shakes out... we have UDP owners that pay upwards of $1K or more for players that, for the most part, play SACDs. Would the same market hold true for a single tray CD player that can't play Blu-ray/4K UHD?

Not sure the answer to that is positive... especially considering how many players have jumped ship from the UDP and BD/4K UHD market.

Re SACD playback, I believe skipping it has a lot to do with Onkyo being required to step up to a different and more expensive DAC (and possibly even OPU; not sure what the capabilities of that 7030 dinosaur are in regards to reading dual layer discs) and associated board design for a sales forecast that is going to be admittedly...low. As for lacking balanced outs, they assuredly didn't want the added expense of those either. If you look at the back panel of the C-30, the old control pin cable ports are missing, but that's it. I'm sure there's a spreadsheet somewhere showing savings of a fraction of a fraction in yen/pennies; additional punch-outs and silkscreening---to say nothing of deciding on making the balanced outs always on, or selectable (if the latter, how? an additional back panel switch or front panel button, with all the associated internal hardware...)---would quickly eat into the modest increase in cost/MRP.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It definitely must have been cost prohibitive... and it begs the question: how many SACD users are out there? It's not like SACDs are in abundance.

Still, it's a feature that I'd like to have seen included

 

[Mr.Satyre]

It definitely must have been cost prohibitive... and it begs the question: how many SACD users are out there? It's not like SACDs are in abundance.

Still, it's a feature that I'd like to have seen included

They're unwilling to put in the effort for what would be essentially an entirely new player. Much easier to use what was on hand.

In any case, I think it's safe to say SACD users aren't using Onkyo.

 

[Todd Anderson]

LOL. Yes, safe to say!