onix sp3 vs. Jolida 502b

patelt78 · « **on:** 8 Aug 2005, 02:05 am »

Hi everyone,
I am trying to decide between these 2 integrated tube amps. Does anyone have any ideas of the sonic differences, or if one is clearly better? I will be powering Onix Ref 1's. My source is a modded NAD c541 cd player. (OPA627, LC Audio clock, blackgates/nichichon/elna caps, fairchild diodes). I also have a Nixon Tubedac on the way. So, I'lll have one input from tudedac and one will be from NAD opamp output.

Thanks

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Aug 2005, 02:16 am »

I recently bought the SP3, and I'd been considering the Jolida, too. Good reviews of the Onix mixed with negative reports of low build quality of Jolida's swayed me over to the SP3. That said, I have no experience with Jolida so I could be misinformed.

I'm really finding I like the SP3 a lot. But the Ref 1's- them I'm not so happy with. I find them etched and forward, and simply too bright for my tastes. The do image well, but I don't think I could bear to listen to them for more than an hour at a time. At least not with rock music.

Wish I could advise you better.

patelt78 · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Aug 2005, 02:24 am »

Rob, I'm not sure if you have a dedicated listening room, but I found that putting up acoustic foam on the walls really helped take the edge off. I found a company on ebay that I got 48 12"x12" foam panels for less than 75 bucks. I found this to be a HUGE improvement in the treble response. The imaging got way better as well.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Aug 2005, 02:29 am »

My room isn't radically treated. But they are the brightest I've ever heard in either of my listening rooms (one dedicated). I've tried 'em with SS and tubes, and both are too shrill for me. But again, that's just me. Break in could be an issue, too, since I've not had a lot of hours on them.

drphoto · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Aug 2005, 10:01 pm »

Rob,

The Ref1 may never be your taste, but I found with the pair my friend got that the change in sound with breakin is very significant. They are also fairly room/placement sensitive. When I first set them up in her house, I tried a fairly small room w/ bare sheetrock walls and only carpet. I thought there they sounded pretty forward and kind of 'honky'.

They are much happier in a large livingroom well away from side walls.

I'm not here to shill for AV123, but I thought they were fairly decent. Maybe it's worth (especially w/ the build quality) having one of the crossover gurus like Dennis take a look at them.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 04:28 am »

They definately do some things very well, well enough in fact that I'm thinking of trying the Rocket RS550's. Technically the Ref 1's aren't mine- I went halfsies with a fellow AC'er who's been kind enough to let me try them out before I send them along (I'll be boxing 'em up and shipping them out within a day or two). They image very very well, and aside from what I percieve as elevated highs, they're very transparent. And you sure can't fault the fit 'n' finish- it's immaculate. Aside from one binding post being a tad loose on arive, they're perfection.

At least when they ship out they should be close to "burned in."

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 04:31 am »

Ah, you guys got a deal splitting the package like that. Sounds like fun no matter how you split it.

Merle · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 01:54 pm »

Just want to put in my 2 cents about the Jolida's. In the very beginning, they did have rather poor quality. These issues were corrected years ago. The current production Jolida's are very well built and very dependable. I believe the 502B is the cream of the line. It's a beautiful amp, in both build and sound. I've not heard the Onix model so I can't comment on it. I will say, in my opinion, I greatly prefer the styling of the Jolida. The 502B is also more powerfull than the Onix, uses much easier to find tubes [6550's or KT88's], has a wide dealer network as well as final assembly done in Maryland. Jolida's are one of the very best values in audio, hands down.

patelt78 · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 04:57 pm »

Hey everyone,
Well, I split the 1000 dollar sp3/ref 1 combo with someone. So, for 500 bucks brand new- I decided the sp3 wins on pure value.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 05:06 pm »

Cool, patelt78. That's what I decided, too. For $500 it's hard to lose. And if you don't like the SP3 it won't be hard to get your money out of it.

One day I may try the Jolida gear, too, if the QC issues have long since been resolved.

Kenobi · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 09:21 pm »

Hello,

Rob and Patelt78: do please give us your impressions of the SP3, soundwise and otherwise. I have a unit myself w/ the Ref 1 package and can't wait to break open it and listen--pending some minor renovation to my new house.

Thanks in advance,