Onix SP3 Melody

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 22 Apr 2005, 10:22 am »

So has anyone pulled the trigger on the super deal AV123 is offering on the Onix SP3 Melody + Reference 1 LEs speaker combo? The amp is supposed to normally be a grand, plus another $1200 or whatever for the speakers, but they're selling the whole shebang for $1200 together. Okay, maybe no news flash, but 6moons.com has raved this little combo up, giving it a "Blue Moon" Award.

The amp looks very nice, with great build quality, or so says the reviews. And of course the Reference speakers are highly regarded. Seems like a guy who wanted one or the other could probably sell the other half for enough to make the purchase a 1/2 price deal...

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Apr 2005, 09:02 pm »

Here's a link to 6moon.com's rave review of the tandem, if anyone's interested.

mca · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Apr 2005, 09:39 pm »

Yup, I bought the combo, along with the XCD-88 CD player. The whole setup including Onix cables set me back only 1500.00 and I could not be happier. The SP3 really is a great looking, well built little amp.

The only thing I'm wanting to do to this system now is mod the CD player and pick up a small power conditioner to use with it.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Apr 2005, 10:17 pm »

Have you tried to drive any larger speakers with the little amp? 6moons.com claimed it did a very good job driving some Gallo Ref III's, so I'm curious if anyone else has tried more demanding full range speakers...

drphoto · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 05:03 pm »

MCA,

Keep us posted. This sounds like the ideal system for my girlfriend. Hell if it's 'all that'.....might want one for myself!

joe

Eric D · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Apr 2005, 03:24 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

Seems like a guy who wanted one or the other could probably sell the other half for enough to make the purchase a 1/2 price deal.

I got mine through the other half of your method - got the amp at a good price by buying it from someone who wanted the speakers. Had to pay for the shipping to the other gent, and then to myself as they wouldn't split the deal from the mfr, but I still ended up getting a 35 W/channel tube integrated for less than I figured I could do a DIY project. [disclosure] My HT system is also Onix - that's how I came to hear about the SP3 deal when it originally came out. [/disclosure]

Then admittedly, I got a pair of used Ref1s in Birds Eye Maple (my reason for not wanting the Rosewood finish in the deal was purely house decorating). My rationale for sticking with the original combo rather than trying out different speakers is I figure there will be a fair number of these systems around with that amp and speaker combination. I'm hoping that means there are a body of people rolling tubes on that combination and reporting on what does and doesn't work. Admittedly, personally I'm figuring to mainly stick with new production tubes rather than going on a NOS search, but I reserve the right to waffle on that decision.

IMO it makes a great alternative to my large-everything HT system. Minimal cabling, small, and definitely "cuter." And all that was before it ever got turned on. Then I find the tube sound and more revealing speaker combination is also a nice alternative to the solid state and more forgiving speakers in the HT.

My only nit of criticism is that I'm using it in our bedroom, and IMO the lowest volume on the stepped attenuator could be quieter. I put a lot of the blame on the mastering levels of the CDs, but I don't have a way of changing that. In time, I'll probably either add input attenuators or learn how to internally mod the volume.

enjoy,

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Apr 2005, 07:51 am »

I am just few days far to order that great duo...
Increibly beauty and built.

I would like to know more about the perceived characteristics rom the SP3 Melody is it more neutral or more tubey ? Will it control different sets of speakers ?

Eric D · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Apr 2005, 02:42 pm »

Quote from: Eduardo AAVM

I am just few days far to order that great duo...
Increibly beauty and built.

I would like to know more about the perceived characteristics rom the SP3 Melody is it more neutral or more tubey ? Will it control different sets of speakers ?

I agree totally on the beauty. There is nothing industrial looking about that amp. I do mean that I've seen even prettier (and even by far), but some of that equipment can totally take over a room.

Re the oither questions, this is my first serious piece of tube gear. What I can do is try to relate what I've seen other places (and you can follow up with research if you want).

Concerning the sound, There's a couple of guys over at the AV123 forum who are starting to roll the tubes on the amp. I *think* they are saying it's not tubey, but it's probably better for you to read their comments.

And the last question is probably the easiest. The 6 moons review has an entire page (out of three) associated with using the SP3 with Gallo Ref3s. and the second to last paragraph is fairly direct about what kind of speakers he thinks it will or won't handle.

Have fun,

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Apr 2005, 03:14 pm »

Thank you...

drphoto · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 May 2005, 09:13 pm »

My friend went ahead an ordered this system and had it shipped to me. I completely agree w/ the 6Moons review. As Stewart Scott of ESPN might say, 'this is "stoopid good"'.

The star of the show is the amp. As others have noted, the build quality is outstanding. This is a work of art. It sound great w/ my vintage Merlins. This may not be the perfect amp, but it gets the fundamentals right.

The speakers sound a bit 'closed in'. But they only have about 30 hrs on them now, so I don't think it's fair to evaluate them. I think they have very good potential. I amazed at the amount of bass from a 5" driver.

The CD player seems very nice for such a low dollar unit. Not the least bit irritating. Of course my Stan Warren Aiwa/MSB has better detail and a bigger sound stage, but it's not a fair comparison.

I would recommend this setup to anyone looking for an entry level system, or a second setup. I think you could easily use the amp w/ much higher end speakers and source and have a killer rig. I think I might order the amp for myself, though I'd love to hear the EE integrated first and maybe the Prima Luna.

If this is what Chinese manufacturing means....the Western world better get ready.

Thanks to Rob for the heads up on this deal.

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 May 2005, 09:48 pm »

Hi Doc... Nice to read you again ... Where have you been ?

F-100 · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 May 2005, 04:39 am »

Quote from: drphoto

If this is what Chinese manufacturing means....the Western world better get ready. .

Correct me if I'm wrong but SP3 amp was designed by a company in
Australia.

http://www.melody.com.au/product.htm

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 May 2005, 06:31 am »

It was designed in Australian and manufactured in China, I believe. Hopefully in a few months they'll still have their "sale" in effect- I'd like to try the amp, but can't afford any toys for awhile.

woodsyi · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 May 2005, 12:56 pm »

Well,

It was only a matter of time. Onix ref1 and Melody sp3s are on sale at audiogon separately by a same person. I have been eyeing ref1 as replacement for my bedroom Boses. The question is whether to get just the speakers or get both.

But I have time since the Bose is putting up a good fight. FYI, I have been cranking up those babies with dirty Sony power when my wife takes the dog out for walk every evening.

Eric D · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 May 2005, 02:58 pm »

Looks like he's just selling the set for what it cost - I was waiting for someone to try buying a set and attempt to resell them separately at a profit. Looks like a good deal to someone who wants one part of the set (not suggesting that someone get both parts - then you should buy new and get return priveleges, etc.)

enjoy,