Audiophiles can soon stop pooh-poohing the world of digital music. Onkyo is on the case. The high-end audio manufacturer will soon offer Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound via its e-onkyo music service.
The new offering will hit Japan on May 30, 2012. Onkyo then plans to branch out elsewhere in the world this fall. Onkyo Entertainment Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Onkyo Corporation, will manage the high-quality music distribution service.
They seem to be doing a pretty good job so far, considering this will be the first online music distribution service to feature Dolby's TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound format.
At launch, e-onkyo will have about 100 different albums titles in Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel surround sound. That should average out to about 1000 tracks. Albums will start at 3000 yen ($37.50 U.S.), with singles costing about 400 yen ($5 U.S.).
Users looking to tap into the e-onkyo service might want to invest in Onkyo's TX-NR818 (MSRP: $1199) or the TX-NR717 (MSRP: $999). Both of Onkyo's 7.2-channel receivers will support the service.
"We are very happy that e-onkyo music will start distribution with Dolby TrueHD lossless audio, thanks to the cooperation of Dolby. The evolution of network audio and PC audio means that users can enjoy high-resolution sound with data volumes greater than those that are possible on a CD," said Shinsuke Yamashita, president and Representative director of Onkyo Entertainment Technology Corporation. "And we are aiming to achieve even further growth in our music distribution business. Through the collaboration between our two companies, we intend to increase our breadth of content and improve the user's listening experience, in a way that only high-quality surround sound distribution can."
Where to Buy:
