Integrated amplifiers — Onkyo Muse Y-40

The Muse Y-40 is a stereo integrated amplifier with a built-in network streamer, part of the Muse series that Onkyo introduced alongside the more powerful Muse Y-50. It went on sale in the United States on 19 January 2026 at USD 999, in black or silver. The Y-40 combines a Class D power stage, a moving magnet phono input, an HDMI ARC connection for a television and streaming over Wi-Fi or Ethernet in a chassis 350 mm wide, 99 mm high and 337 mm deep that weighs 4.4 kg.

Key specs that matter

Onkyo rates the amplifier at 75 W per channel into 8 ohm from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 0.08% THD with both channels driven, and at 150 W per channel into 4 ohm at 1 kHz and 0.7% THD. The US FTC figure for 4 ohm is given as 125 W. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 30 kHz at plus 1 and minus 3 dB, and speakers from 4 to 16 ohm are supported. Inputs are three pairs of unbalanced RCA line inputs, one MM phono input, one coaxial and one optical digital input, HDMI ARC and a USB-A port for playback from storage devices. Outputs include two sets of binding posts switchable as A and B, one RCA preamp output and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. Power consumption is 65 W in use, below 0.4 W in standby and below 1.8 W in network standby, from a 100 to 240 V supply.

Engineering and use context

Onkyo builds the output stage around an Axign Class D amplifier with MOSFET transistors inside a fully digital circuit, which keeps the case low and light for its rating. Network playback runs through TIDAL Connect, Chromecast, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, with Bluetooth accepting SBC and AAC, and the Onkyo Controller app handles control alongside the supplied remote. A 5.46 inch colour LCD shows track metadata and settings and can display an analogue-style VU meter. Bass and treble controls work at 100 Hz and 10 kHz with a range of plus or minus 10 dB. Compared with the Y-50, the Y-40 has no room calibration, no moving coil phono support and no subwoofer output, so its preamp stage is 2.0 rather than 2.1 channels.

Pairing

Its low-impedance capability and the A and B terminals allow two pairs of bookshelf or compact floorstanding speakers, and the HDMI ARC link lets a television play through them. Record players fitted with MM cartridges plug straight into the phono stage, whereas an MC cartridge would require a step-up transformer or head amplifier ahead of it.

Alternatives

The Onkyo Muse Y-50 raises output and adds room calibration, MC phono and a subwoofer output.