Heard my 1st Onix amp in 1988, a OA-20. Should have bought it then...
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The Onix deserve it's well earn reputation of a great performing unit with grunt- an excellent example of British audio quality. Although rated at a lowly 30W RMS and weight a mere 4kg, it is no push over. The unit was hardly warm after running for a few hours with the volume at 7 o'clock. This was more than enough to drive my honeycombs to a decent volume in a room 30ftx20ft.
After warm-up, the Onix was revealing. The mid and HF was fluid when playing a CD of well recorded piano pieces. Bass could be better but acceptable, may consider a recap later on (since it has been over 20 years).
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Update - 30Jul2011
Finally decided to perform maintenance on the electrolytic capacitors in the power amplifier section, as the reproduction seem a little muddle on critical passages.
Upon closer inspection, notice the unit had been repaired before and a unknown brand of EC, "Sun" was used in the power rectifier section as well as one side of the power amplifier. Replaced the 100uf 10V with Panasonic FC and the original 4.7uf 50V with Panasonic ECA of equal values in the power amp section. Left the Sun EC in the power rectifier section as that should be adequate for the task. Using better quality EC and substituiting the pairs of EC in the power amp section provided the desired results. Source is the Sony CDP-333ESA which is now connected directly to the Onix without the tube buffer. The Onix is now driving my Mission 753 Freedom's via 1.5m of the original QED Silver Anniversary (with enough silver to cover most of the cable diameter).
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Update - 6Aug2011
Using the Musical Fidelity Tubalog DAC with the Sony CDP, my daughter commented the reproduction of piano was surprisingly realistic. The missing portion are weight of the high notes. Have only been using the Onix during weekends since the last update.
Will re-update after letting it run in over the next two weekends before deciding if I will perform any other maintainence.
Hi, nice review. I think OA20/2 was a Tony Brady effort, produced in UK by Cymbol the Tony Brady's brand after Onix beforeExposure . It should date back to 1991-1992 ca.
ReplyDeleteDaniele
Had a Exposure XX before.
ReplyDeletePersonally prefer the Onix better.
Sold item to raise funds for furthering my speaker projects
ReplyDeleteOnix OA20 was my first amp, hooked up to a pair of EPOS ES11's and fed by a Marantz CD65II-SE of the late 1980's. Low cost, relatively, and an amazing sound.
ReplyDeleteIt died while I was abroad. Looking back, I should have just boxed it until I returned to the UK a few years later to get it looked at, as the replacement was a NAD319, which was the last of the "unrepairables" and konked out after 2 years!
The ES11's are still going strong, now connected to a Marantz 6004 AMP.
Does anyone know anyone interested to buy an Onix OA20 with phono stage. It has konked out and here in Sweden I don't know anyone who can fix it?Cosmetically excellent. Alternatively I am interested in anyone who can fix it to it's past audio glory :) Sorry if this is not in the correct postings.
ReplyDeleteAny reputable electronic repair shop should be ok
DeleteHi Silverfoxx. Is your Onix OA20 still available?
DeleteHi, I still have it but I’m going to keep it. I actually found an interested and skilled guy who brought it to life again. The phono stage is superb. The hum has gone and soundstage is pinpoint realistic. Not to mention it’s ability with deep lows, and in the room mids.. It sounds excellent and I can’t bare to part with it anymore! Pity I sold the Snell type Eii which was a great combo, but still very pleasing with old dm4’s and audio note an-j’s. Thx for enquiry, and best of luck.
DeleteHi, my OA 21S+Soap 2 hooked up to B&W CDM3 still producing good and clear sound. My main set is OA36pre amp+ OA1200 power amp, hooked Mordaunt Short Meezo 6,CD player Marantz 6006.Thank you Tony Brady for the excellent amplifiers.
ReplyDelete