Draft:Onix Audio

Onix Audio was a British HiFi manufacturer based in Brighton.

The company was formed in 1979 by a partnership between Tony Brady and Craig Hill.

History
Tony Brady had completed an Electronics apprenticeship with Thorn EMI and had a keen interest in High Fidelity Audio. Tony was a customer of Brighton Cassette and HiFi which was owned by Craig's father, from which he had purchased a Turntable, MC phono cartridge and phono stage. Tony found the phono stage too noisy so designed and built his own phono preamplifier. Upon evaluation, Craig Hill considered this very good and the two decided to build more and sell them through Craig's Dad's shop. A partnership was formed and this was 1979.

In 1981, Tony designed an integrated amplifier which was the first Onix Audio product given a model name - the OA20. Whilst Tony did the electronic design work, Craig Hill took charge of the casework design, marketing and other business tasks. He played an important part in the success and and further products were developed. In 1986, Tony Brady brought his then friend and former work colleague Adam Worsfold in when Onix needed PCB assembly staff and Adam needed work. Adam then bought a share in Onix and eventually took full ownership in 1986. In 1991, Swisstone Electronics takes a share of Onix to relieve its financial difficulties and eventually takes full ownership. In 1997, Taiwan company Sound Art acquires Onix with the intention to restart it in Asia, but plans stall. In 2002, Shanling of Shenzen China acquires Onix and develops new product lines. Shanling is restricted to ROW trade due to Onix Trademark ownership dispute for the UK. Adam Worsfold had retained the UK Onix Trademark. In 2021, Shanling acquires the UK Onix Tradename from Onix (GB) Ltd with the intention to market products within the UK.

Products
The first Onix products were the phono preamplifiers which Tony Brady had initially designed for himself. In 1981, the OA20 Integrated Amplifier was produced and this developed into the OA21A.