Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Onix A-60 mkII Integrated Amplifier (SS) by jonbee

Model:	A-60 mkII
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$500
Description:	Stereo integrated w/ remote volume
Manufacturer URL:	Onix
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on May 29, 2005 at 21:47:26
IP Address: 24.19.41.189

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for the A-60 mkII

I've owned both the Onix A60 and the A60 mk II, so this is a review of both. I'd been using a NAD 7020 recvr in my office system with Triangle titus 202 and a sub, but when I upgraded to Monitor Audio GR10 I wanted to see how much improvement i could get with some other "budget" amps.
The A60 is very heavy, solidly built and looks very nice. It is billed as dual mono but there is a shared toroidal xformer. I underdstand it is a british design built in China, and is rated at 60 wpc.
I used an A60 and liked what I got- smoother sound with more natural detail than the NAD, with more drive and better bass control. All in all the A60 is a musical and pretty powerful performer, without obvious flaws.
The A60 lacked a headphone jack, however, so to support my private listening I got an A60 II, which has a jack as well as a volume remote, which I don't use. AV123 claims to have upgraded a number of parts for the mkII, and I can confirm that it is definitely improved. While the original had few flaws, it was not the last word in resolution, and that is notable better in the mkii. Also, the bass seems deeper and more solid. It still has a very similar sound, of course, but opened up with a seemingly deeper low end.
I would frankly prefer the A60 mk ii to any $1000 and under amps I've owned, such as the Audio Refinement Complete, or the Panny XR50 even with an upsampler. I think the reverse of the original A60. While still very nice sounding, the AR Complete outpoints it, as does the Panny w/ upsampler. At $500, the A60 mkII is a very easy choice in a SS amp.
I will add that both A60s sound like good SS amps; tube lovers might not find the qualities they like in them.
The A60 II also has a larger sibling, the A120 II which has twice the power for $200 more. I believe other than output they are the same.

Product Weakness: Doesn't do all the high end things (detail, imaging) as well as much more expensive amps; no input swithing on remote.
Product Strengths: Clean, nicely developed soundstage, very good bass depth, definition and control. Smooth, detailed top end. A real taste of a high-fi amp at a very low price. Nice looking and well built.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	see review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Kinergetic KCD 40 cd player, AMC T7a tuner
Speakers:	MA GR10; Audio Pro Avantek sub
Cables/Interconnects:	solid core biwire, silver ICs.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Desktop system at work
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Doesn't do all the high end things (detail, imaging) as well as much more expensive amps; no input swithing on remote.
Product Strengths:	Clean, nicely developed soundstage, very good bass depth, definition and control. Smooth, detailed top end. A real taste of a high-fi amp at a very low price. Nice looking and well built.