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#1
07-01-10, 08:49 PM
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Adam Worsfold .. The Owner of Onix Audio/Electronics 1986 to 1991
After some time I decided that it was time to clarify some of the "myths " surrounding Onix UK and who was behind it. Moreover what made it the success it was. The trade mark ONIX was originally in my name ...http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm/t-os/...demark=1332605
It has amazed me that so many enthusiasts are still talking about our products of that time, and it has made me smile each time someone has written about the era that I along with Tony Brady were responsible for , we truly put passion in to what we designed and made, and the passion was the way it worked and sounded. We loved Music and I know both of still do. Our competition of the time ( at least in our mind ) really only took place with Naim, and in particular the Nait. Unlike Naim we considered that our products looked better. I at this point will pay my respects to the late Julian Vereker for the good things that he said to me about Onix at the CES in Chicago each year, The annual parties he held allowed us to become the respected company that Onix was in those days, and to learn from the likes of Julian that life is for living and music is truly what makes it a great journey. I am sure he was one of a kind I didn't realize it then but that's life. To put things straight, we started above a shoe shop ( Not behind a Tailor shop ) in Brighton Sussex England. Tony Brady and Myself were the ONLY TWO that had any influence on the designs of the Onix Range between 1986 and 1991. I was 100% the owner and shareholder of ONIX AUDIO, and later ONIX ELECTRONICS we are both 100% English and we are both from the south of England. We both love music and we were both apprentices for Thorn EMI in Newhaven Sussex . We both worked with each other for many years before Onix was born however in Fairness the original Onix amps from 1984 to 1986 as basic as they were were 100% Tony . If my memory serves me right there are only about 100 of those ever made .What originally drove Onix was our mutual hatred of the commercial junk we were forced to work on for years as apprentices, and what consumers were led to understand was good. We hated the mass made music centers of the brand Ferguson ( Thorn Group Consumer Electronics ) that was made in the facility we worked at. We set our own standards because of our passion for design and our knowledge of what was good and what wasn't. We were trained to an exceptionally high standard at Brighton Tech, and when Onix was conceived we both knew that the quality we wanted would be with out equal,we hoped that Onix would stand the test of time and the way we tested the amps and components was nothing short of military standards . It was a standard that WE NEVER compromised , sadly when the company changed hands ( to Micheal O Brien Swisstone Electronics/ Rogers Speakers ) in 1991 these standards were compromised and lost . After this Onix products suffered, the culture died and the company went in to liquidation in 1994 just three short years later . It was then sold to a Chinese company that took the name and culture even further in the wrong direction. Sadly the Onix DNA has been lost and no "true" Onix products were made after 1991. Tony was involved with some design until 1993 and I think the CD player was mostly his work, but I know the factory was driven by profits and never really understood our DNA, so quality suffered . After 1993 there is no DNA of original Onix in any product. The cases were made from aluminum and the components were checked before we used any of them , the finish was originally a powder coat finish in black, and the front was in the same finish with a screen print word ONIX. In about 1987 I changed the finish to a brushed anodized front and made subtle cosmetic changes , these are truly the ones to get as they were the best we made in that ERA. The products of our ERA are the OA20, OA21 ,OA22 , OA21S , Soap 1, Soap 2 OA401, OA601 , OA24 , BWD1. The BWD 1 was by far the best Tuner of that time, and was 100% Designed and tested By Tony Brady, he loved it and it was his pride , no one has the right to take that away from him and rightly so. I would be happy to answer questions as and when I have the time, so if you would like to E mail please do so . I am involved in new projects out side of the audio industry, and like all of you still love music. My standards of that era have never been forgotten. My new projects always reflect this and I have Onix to thank for that . Quality wins every time and I thank all of you for the pleasure you have given me knowing that what we made stood the test of time and the effort we put in to get right has given so much pleasure . Adam Worsfold at aw(no space )@onixdna.com Last edited by adsw; 15-01-10 at 12:36 AM. Reason: Spelling correction 
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#2
08-01-10, 01:15 AM
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That's very interesting ~ thanks, Adam.
I remember back in the day having a Nait and an OA21 driving ProAc Super Tablettes. Both amps were/are very good ~ propulsive and fun. I liked them both so I just used whichever one suited at the time. In these days of marketing led markets (not just hi-fi), with the never ceasing 'new improved' models which obviously must sound better (  ), it's always worth remembering that if something sounded great it 1990 (or whenever) it'll still sound good today!
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#3
08-01-10, 01:17 AM
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Adam
Thank you for writing some history of Onix, yourself and Tony. I had known about Onix since around '93, long before I cared much about hifi, my next door neighbour had the OA20 driving a pair of Linn speakers and driven by a Linn LP12, that system sounded great but I had no interest in hifi at the time, not until 4 years later when Worthing Audio was selling a few bits did I see what they actually were. I was told about the BWD1 tuner, thought it must just be hype until reading about the goodness of these things on the internet, PFM especially, stumbled upon one at the Audio Jumble, used it for a bit, sold it, missed it, had the opportunity to buy it back and did so and am very glad I did. I met Tony once while he was picking up bits for service at Worthing Audio, looked too young for his age and came across as a very intelligent but honest and personable. Is it true that BWD stands for 'Billy Whizz Designs' ?? 
__________________
Mark
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#4
08-01-10, 01:31 AM
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Quote:
Thank you for letting us know I have enjoyed many Onix amplifiers and have been owner of the BWD tuner, a true masterpice. Can you remember which history of serialnumber your products had, up to 1991 to assure us we have the real Onix..? Best regards Per
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#5
08-01-10, 01:58 AM
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Hi Adam - Cheers for the history, makes great reading. Was the Thorn facility in Newhaven the place that became J2T and manufactured Ferguson/JVC VCR's? I worked there for a few years after school, on day release to Brighton tech (who were your teachers there?). Maybe you knew Steve Pawson (think he was a long termer at Thorn)?
Richard
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#7
08-01-10, 04:55 AM
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Thanks Adam!
 I hope that my fascination with ONIX helped, because when I posted here, http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/249110.aspx , there's no any relevant information about ONIX and I decided to "spread a word"!  Despite I sold my ONIX two weeks ago, (sound it's not a reason!)........I'm still admirer of ONIX! Regards to all ONIX fans! Cheers! "jhmee9"
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#8
08-01-10, 07:31 AM
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Thanks for sharing this info Adam. As you say, there are a few myths circulating in the ether so it's good to hear from an authoritative source.
The first amp I bought, when I was 14 I think, was a NAD 3020. It lasted me well through my school and university years but when I started work I decided it was time to upgrade. I bought an Onix OA20 from the Cornflake Shop in 1989 after auditioning several integrateds. I still think it's one of the best looking amps I've seen and it has worked faultlessly, sounded and looked great ever since. It is currently in daily use with a friend to whom I sold it about ten years ago. I have let them know that if they ever decide to get rid of it they should tell me first! Within the last few months I acquired an OA21 from Tom who also posts on this forum. It had quite a few problems which fortunately I've been able to fix and was missing it's volume knob - you may have seen my thread on this in the wanted section - and without finding any source for replacement I've amused myself making some new knobs for it from maple wood. Regardless of this it is now in daily use in a second system and sounding great. I have no intention of letting this one go! All the best, Andrew
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#9
08-01-10, 07:38 AM
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Damn, all this is making me want my OA21 back ;-) Thanks for posting that Adam.
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#10
08-01-10, 07:59 AM
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Yes, thanks Adam. I still thoroughly enjoy my BWD1 - its used every day!
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#11
08-01-10, 09:38 AM
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if I decide to sell your old amp I'll give you first dibs on it although I've no intention of letting it go just yet, it might not look great but it sounds fantastic through my Tannoys. Adam, thanks for the history of Onix, you and Tony made a great amp (OA21). Ronnie FTM
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#12
08-01-10, 09:46 AM
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Cheers James
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#13
11-01-10, 03:29 PM
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And to politely request, if anyone has a spare SOAP2 floating about in their bath, I would give it a good home
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#14
13-01-10, 12:41 PM
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Thanks a lot for all this Adam, thank you very much! ONIX Addict P.S. : BTW, I'm still looking for an OA601, if someone has one available! Don't hesitate!!! Thxs
Last edited by ONIX Addict; 13-01-10 at 01:04 PM.
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#15
13-01-10, 01:38 PM
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Quote:
I'm not sure how he dates them, might have been year on print ? Seem as MM or MC phono cards are exchangeable by sliding in.. No idea which load moving coil cards has ?
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