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Onkyo has today announced that its e-Onkyo hi-res music download store has opened for business in the UK, fully ten years after it launched in its native Japan.

UK visitors to the service (which is stll in 'beta' and rebranded Onkyomusic) have access to hundreds of thousands of 24-bit/44.1kHz up to 192kHz hi-res tracks, and millions of CD-quality 16-bit FLAC downloads. 

Browsing the website reveals a mix of back-catalogue and new-release titles across a variety of genres, with artists ranging from AC/DC to ZZ Top. Albums can be bought in their entirety, or users can cherry pick favourite tracks. Pricing varies depending on download quality and artist. For instance, individual tracks from The Charlatans' Modern Nature can be purchased for 99p in 16-bit, 44.1kHz FLAC, while the 11-song album is available for £8.99 in the same format. However, individual tracks from AC/DC's recent Rock or Bust album, in 24-bit/96kHz FLAC, cost £2.59, while the album is £12.99. 

Music purchased on the Onkyomusic platform will be stored in a cloud locker ready for download to multiple devices.

'As one of the world's leading hi-fi/home theatre manufacturers we can now provide music lovers with a full end-to-end hi-res audio experience,' says Kevin Miyagi, President of Onkyo Entertainment Technology and the show-runner of Japan's e-onkyo music service. 'Whether customers choose to listen on the move via headphones or at home via their stereo system or AV receiver, Onkyo wants them to be able to choose from the widest range of music, delivered – with the highest fidelity – to the devices they want to use. That's our mission.'

The company also says it aims to cater for those with tastes often ignored by the hi-res music biz, including rock, metal and anime. 
 
The Onkyomusic store operates in partnership with 7digital. As well as launching in the UK, Onkyo is expanding the service to the US and Germany, with more countries targeted in the future.

Point your browser at www.onkyomusic.com to check it out.