Onix Audio UK Audio Manufacturer

Onix Audio was a UK based manufacturer of high end electronic audio equipment from 1984 to 1990. During this time Onix Audio produced a range of Hi fidelity  amplifiers, tuners and accessories that were exported to 28 countries. Onix Audio’s products were known for their longevity and excellence in delivering a sense of power, rhythmic drive, clearly defined sound quality, as well as adding an authoritative body and weight to music.

History 1984 - 1991

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From humble beginnings Onix Audio was started above a shoe shop in Brighton

Brighton

Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...

 Sussex England. Of the early founders, Tony Brady and Adam Worsfold had both worked and trained together for several years at Thorn EMI

Thorn EMI

Thorn EMI was a major British company involved in consumer electronics, music, defence and retail. Created in October 1979 when Thorn Electrical Industries merged with EMI, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it demerged again in...

. The partnership in 1984 included Tony Brady, Adam Worsfold and Craig Hill. Craig Hill left the partnership in 1985 and Tony Brady chose to continue purely on a contract basis and concentrate on new exclusive designs, leaving Adam Worsfold as the sole owner and driving force of Onix Audio from 1985 onwards.

The first commercial amplifier

Amplifier

Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...

  the company produced was the Onix OA-20 and was widely known for its exceptional sound, unique design and great value for money. This amplifier became one of the forerunners of a new generation of amplifiers, capable of delivering a high power output due to a high quality power feed. The OA-20 was soon eclipsed by the OA-21, this model having a
pre-amplifier with similar characteristics as the previous one but with increased component quality and power output, as well as the introduction of a moving coil (MC) and mobile magnet (MM) alternate board change option. In addition the OA-21 was fitted with a supply connector that accepted the SOAP (Special Onix Audio Power) introduced in 1985 by Onix Audio).

With the success of the OA-21 amplifier and the OA-20, Onix released an improved OA-20 called the OA-22. New products in the meantime were continuing to be developed and a FM tuner (radio)

Tuner (radio)

A radio tuner is a subsystem that receives radio broadcasts and converts them into audio-frequency signals which can be fed into an amplifier driving a loudspeaker. FM tuner, AM tuner, Digital Audio Broadcasting DAB tuner, etc. are types of radio tuner dealing with transmissions using different...

, the BWD-1, completely designed by Tony Brady, made its debut in 1987. The Onix BWD-1 provided an excellent compromise between cost, musical integrity and quality performance.

Onix Audio continued to upgrade their product lines and developed the pre amp OA-24. This pre amp proved to be extremely reliable with a distinct crisp sound. In the same year a new updated version of the power supply SOAP 2 and other models were introduced. In 1990 the OA-401 watt 50 and the OA-601 watt 60 stereo amplifiers were added to the product range. Both amplifiers gained a solid reputation due to their technical features, sound quality and high power.

In 1990 Onix Audio, 100% owned by Adam Worsfold, was sold to a newly created legal entity called Onix Electronics Ltd. Adam Worsfold retained 65% of the new company, with Michael O’Brien owning 35%. In 1991 Adam Worsfold was made an offer by Michael O’Brien for his remaining shares and decided to sell his interest in Onix Electronics Ltd. Onix Electronics Ltd then became a subsidiary of Swisstone Electronics Ltd.

Design characteristics

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The Onix Audio range of amplifiers was characterised by a minimalistic, simple, slim design, without visible screws on the casings. The amplifiers housed an unusually large power supply and were constructed using high quality components. Onix cases were made from aluminium. They used a powder coat finish in matt black, and the front was originally in the same finish with a screen print word ONIX. In 1987 Onix changed their finish to a brushed anodized front, as well as making subtle cosmetic changes to the overall original design.

Year	Product
1984	OA 20 – OA21 Amplifier
1985	SOAP 1 Power supply unit OA 22 Amplifier
1986	SOAP 1 Power supply unit OA 22S Amplifier
1987	BWD 1 Tuner
1988	OA 24 Amplifier
1989	OA 24 Amplifier
1990	OA-401 Amplifier
1990	OA 601 Amplifier