Onix SP3 Tube Integrated Amplifier Review

[gene]

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/onixsp3tubep1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 93px" alt=[tube] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/tube_th.jpg" align=left vspace=5 border=0></A>What’s this, a Tube amplifier review on Audioholics???<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Yes for all of you audiophiles that love chocolatey midrange, this product is just for you.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The quality of the sound from the SP3 has everything that draws aficionados to prize tubes; which is uncommon at this price.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Silky smooth sound that remains composed even during hard clipping. An art deco style chassis makes for one enjoyable audiophile product and conversational piece that will get noticed by </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1ersonName><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Audiophile</SPAN></st1ersonName><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">s and Audioholics alike.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o /></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">[Read the Review]<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">[<SPAN style="COLOR: red"><A href="http://banners.audioholics.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?bannerid=248&zoneid=32&source=&dest=http%3A//www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=33"><SPAN style="COLOR: red">$1,199 SP3 + Ref1 Promo Deal</SPAN></A></SPAN>]</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>

 

[Josuah]

Will there be measurements taken for the SP3?

 

[gene]

Will there be measurements taken for the SP3?

Only if we ship the unit to my facility. Right now I am crammed with work so it won't likely happen anytime soon. However I predict the amp will have a high output impedance, and high distortion compared to solid state amps. You don't buy this amp for accuracy, you buy it for the sound of a tube which people either love or hate.

 

[Nomo]

Damn, that's the ugliest thing I've seen.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Damn, that's the ugliest thing I've seen.

Really? I think it's drop-dead gorgeous. I had one but foolishly sold it; the house I was in just didn't afford me the opportunity to set up the dedicated 2CH righ I'd always planned. Eventually I thought I'd put the $ into my PC. Naturally, a few months later I ended up moving for work.

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that eventually I'll get another SP3. It's a wonderful little amp and a bargain at what they're going for on A'gon.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

They should have included a picture, sans cages and running in a darkened room. Also, a tube (integrated)amp without a phono input?!? Heresy!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Damn, that's the ugliest thing I've seen.

I'm with Rob. It's got killer looks. It's the same with tube sound - either you love it or hate it. I've only met a handful of guys who dislike tube sound.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I don't think it sounds particularly "tubey," whatever that ultimately means. I found it had "solid state slam" in abundance and sounded like it had a lot more power than you'd expect for an amp rated at 38 wpc. The only quibbles I had with the unit was the lack of a remote for volume and the limitation of just 2 inputs. Of course, the ladder resistor volume worked very well, and adding more inputs would've ruined the ultra-clean faceplace.

The manual does indeed suck. It doesn't even deserve to be called a manual, more like a pamphlet. It's very limited and makes no mention of how to bias the tubes if you ever replace them. Luckily it's easy to find it on the web, but that type of info should be in the manual.

Still, it's very well packed and packaged, it's beautiful, the sound is wonderful and the price is low. There's a lot to like with that little amp.

 

[westcott]

What would it take to convince you Gene to let me write a review of the PS3 hooked up to a pair of old horns?

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

What would it take to convince you Gene to let me write a review of the PS3 hooked up to a pair of old horns?

I think a 5.1 system would better show-off the PS3's capabilities.