Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Onix H34 Integrated Amplifier (Tube) by Nolitan777@yahoo.com

Model:	H34
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1295
Description:	45W Integrated Tube Amp
Manufacturer URL:	Onix
Model Picture:	View

Review by Nolitan777@yahoo.com on April 28, 2005 at 20:19:38
IP Address: 210.213.148.6

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for the H34

Having owned & listened to numerous EL34 based amps / integrated amps or separates, I'm never a really big fan of EL34 tubes. The EL34s have typical signature that I'm not very comfortable off: they can be slow, sluggish, less detailed,euphonic, overly romantic and at times too lush. (Chinese tube amps and some big name tube amp companies.)
All of these took for a change when I heard the H34 integrated amp which I was at first skeptical to listen to (ah, not another EL34 sir.) .When I first heard it, the sound is not like an EL34 based amp, its more like a 6550 but with some refinement of a KT88 and in some ways have character of the EL84s which are lively and engaging and fast.
It is fast, detailed, powerful and very musical. It has PRAT which I can only compare to the Naim gears. It lets you dance to the beat of the music. Toe-tapping features.
Bass is quite powerful and tuneful provided that you drive them with efficient speakers. I was even suprised when set up with the small Magnepans that they sounded splendid.
I tried to very critical about it and start to find something to fault for. For almost a week, about the only thing I can wish for is tad refinement. But for $1300, its difficult to fault.
The dealer told me that these amps came with stock chinese tubes and these might sound better if using better tubes. Something to consider.
The Hi's are very controlled in this amp very similar to vintage American amps. Its not porous or grainy but smooth without lossing details.
The mids are lively and forward, much of this can also depend on the speakers used.
The lows have oomph, better than most tube amps I've heard, but the s/s amps are still better at this.
Soundstage is very good but falls short of the mega bucks amp.
Nonetheless, a very musically satisfying amplifier!
The H34 also responds well to source gears. It is quite revealing but not to the point of being analytical. It showed different of various cd players and even the recordings. Fair recordings sounded very good compared to most hi end systems.
One can easily built a good system surrounding this particular amp without breaking your bank.
The dealer recommended speakers from Proac, JM Labs, Triangles, Magnepans (smaller version), Totem Acoustics, Cabasse, and Missions Acoustiks. I heard these with the Mags, and the Missions. I would be curious how these would sound with one of my faves: The 1SC. It could be a magical combo ?

Product Weakness: a tad refinement can be asked for but hey, that might be asking too much for $1300.00
Product Strengths: desribed above: very musical--short, precise way of summing things up.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Onix H34
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rote, Nad, Consonance SACD
Speakers:	above
Cables/Interconnects:	DH Labs, and Acoustic Zen
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, vocals, pop music, instrumental
Room Comments/Treatments:	room was fairly large around 50 square meter, but not treated in any way
Time Period/Length of Audition:	almost a week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Dealer Demo
Your System (if other than home audition):	dealer demo

Product Weakness:	a tad refinement can be asked for but hey, that might be asking too much for $1300.00
Product Strengths:	desribed above: very musical--short, precise way of summing things up.