OAD Owners & Discussion Thread

[Robbiefest]

Hi all. 

 

Just wondering if there's anyone here who's owned both generation of OAD amps and preamps? I'm currently an owner of the gen 1 design power amp and preamp. CP1 and UF1. 

 

So my question is what are the differences that were heard by going to the current generation of gear? Can anyone compare the amp with amp, and preamp with preamp please? 

 

 

[BioBrian]

I've been wondering the same. Seems like in the last day or so I've seen 3 different amps all called UF1.

[parrasaw]

Hello @Robbiefest.

I have Jon De Sensi's (OAD Ultrafidelity) Padma pre-amp and the two amps which he built when he had Linkwitz LX 521.4s some years ago. I am using them with a set of Linkwitz LX521.4s which have recently been set up at our place. You can see them on the "Aussie Audiophile" YouTube channel.

In this system, the Pre and the two Power amps are stunning components.

 

I am sorry, I cannot say how they may compare to the pre and power amps which you have, and the others about which you are wondering.

However, when i was dealing with Jon (and he and I have had a lot of conversations), I found him such a good person to deal with, I suggest that if you discuss your query with Jon, he will give you  a sincere answer to every question which you might want to ask him.

 

I understand that you also want to get feedback from people other than the maker, but I also think that talking to Jon would be a great starting point. You may well have already done this

 

Best wishes,

Paul. 

[Baffilled]

Hi Robert,

I have had the pleasure of owning both amps.

 

And yes the difference is worth the trader up in my opinion.

If you compare it to other brands that cost more than the latest generation you will appreciate the level the latest generation are at.

Look at the reviews of the latest amps and they speak for themselves, both from a Laboratory testing point of view and a sound testing point of view.

They are all on the website.

 

I agree with Parrasaw, talk to Jon about both the technical and sound differences the new amps have.

 

If you're seriously looking to trade up come to Melbourne and have a listen to Jon's latest gear at Jon's demo room.

 

Thanks Kev.

[parrasaw]

45 minutes ago, Baffilled said:

Hi Robert,

I have had the pleasure of owning both amps.

 

And yes the difference is worth the trader up in my opinion.

If you compare it to other brands that cost more than the latest generation you will appreciate the level the latest generation are at.

Look at the reviews of the latest amps and they speak for themselves, both from a Laboratory testing point of view and a sound testing point of view.

They are all on the website.

 

I agree with Parrasaw, talk to Jon about both the technical and sound differences the new amps have.

 

If you're seriously looking to trade up come to Melbourne and have a listen to Jon's latest gear at Jon's demo room.

 

Thanks Kev.

I agree with everything which Kev (@Baffilled) has said above.

I also happen to the beneficiary of two exquisitely made Aluminium/Panzerholz top baffles which Kev made for the LX521.4 system which I referred to above, in which the OAD amps and Padma Pre-amp play a key role in the sound which is heard in the room.

In my view Rob, a flight from Sydney to Melbourne and return, to hear Jon's latest amp and pre, would be money well spent.

Good luck with everything,

Paul. 

[Robbiefest]

3 hours ago, Baffilled said:

Hi Robert,

I have had the pleasure of owning both amps.

 

And yes the difference is worth the trader up in my opinion.

If you compare it to other brands that cost more than the latest generation you will appreciate the level the latest generation are at.

Look at the reviews of the latest amps and they speak for themselves, both from a Laboratory testing point of view and a sound testing point of view.

They are all on the website.

 

I agree with Parrasaw, talk to Jon about both the technical and sound differences the new amps have.

 

If you're seriously looking to trade up come to Melbourne and have a listen to Jon's latest gear at Jon's demo room.

 

Thanks Kev.

Hi Kev

 

Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated. 

 

I got to hear the latest gear at the hifi show in Oct. I stayed for at least 3/4 hour. It was the first room I went into , not knowing anything about OAD. The room was just available and I loved what I heard from the onset. I stayed for 3/4 hour because the sound was, to my ears, so musical. I will ask Jon directly but I don't want to pester him too much. We've already been in a lot of sms contact regarding my power amp and some questions I had about it. 

 

Many thanks

Rob 

[Robbiefest]

6 hours ago, BioBrian said:

I've been wondering the same. Seems like in the last day or so I've seen 3 different amps all called UF1.

My UF1 does not have the balanced inputs but one I've seen advertised seems to have it. 

[Robbiefest]

2 hours ago, parrasaw said:

I agree with everything which Kev (@Baffilled) has said above.

I also happen to the beneficiary of two exquisitely made Aluminium/Panzerholz top baffles which Kev made for the LX521.4 system which I referred to above, in which the OAD amps and Padma Pre-amp play a key role in the sound which is heard in the room.

In my view Rob, a flight from Sydney to Melbourne and return, to hear Jon's latest amp and pre, would be money well spent.

Good luck with everything,

Paul. 

Hi Paul. 

 

Thanks Paul

for your feedback. I managed to hear the new gear at the hifi show in Melbourne in Oct 2023. I listened for around 3/4 hours and just loved the sound, hence I now own some of the older gear. I'm a guy who needs to compare amps side by side hence, why I was asking people if they'd managed to hear them compared to each other. Just going online now to see the youtube review. 

 

Many thanks

Rob

[buzz lightyear]

I know this is completely off topic.

OAD at the last Melbourne HiFi show was one the best rooms . 
 

I have been looking at the OAD phono stage . Don’t seem to see a lot on SNA does anyone here have one . That would like to share their experience. 

[Guest]

36 minutes ago, buzz lightyear said:

I know this is completely off topic.

OAD at the last Melbourne HiFi show was one the best rooms . 
 

I have been looking at the OAD phono stage . Don’t seem to see a lot on SNA does anyone here have one . That would like to share their experience. 

 

I know Warwick at Puremusicgroup was a fan and was selling them at one stage (not sure if they still are). It looked the goods at the time when I was in the market but I never got around to a purchase or a listen. OAD are confirmed at the Melbourne show again this year I'n glad to report.

[sir sanders zingmore]

58 minutes ago, buzz lightyear said:

I know this is completely off topic.

OAD at the last Melbourne HiFi show was one the best rooms . 
 

I have been looking at the OAD phono stage . Don’t seem to see a lot on SNA does anyone here have one . That would like to share their experience. 

I also loved their room. Was very tempted by the open baffles !

Given the quality of their other gear I expect the phono stage to be excellent (but I’ve not heard it). 
 

 

There was a review of the UP1 here on SNA

 

https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/review-oad-ultrafidelity-up1-phono-preamplifier

[buzz lightyear]

Thanks @Marc Their website does list the OAD PS . 
 
Have read that review Thanks for the link . 

 

[Robbiefest]

On 26/03/2024 at 5:56 PM, Robbiefest said:

My UF1 does not have the balanced inputs but one I've seen advertised seems to have it. 

I was actually wrong about that. It does have balanced inputs. I just hadn't noticed them, believe it or not? 

[Robbiefest]

On 26/03/2024 at 5:56 PM, Robbiefest said:

My UF1 does not have the balanced inputs but one I've seen advertised seems to have it. 

Correction.. my UF1 DOES have the balanced inputs. I have no idea how I missed that in the first place. 

[Vinylear]

On 29/03/2024 at 1:47 PM, buzz lightyear said:

I know this is completely off topic.

OAD at the last Melbourne HiFi show was one the best rooms . 
 

I have been looking at the OAD phono stage . Don’t seem to see a lot on SNA does anyone here have one . That would like to share their experience. 

I would like to know as well. I have read only one review published on stereonet from memory.

[parrasaw]

On 15/12/2024 at 11:36 AM, Vinylear said:

I would like to know as well. I have read only one review published on stereonet from memory.

Hello  @Vinylear.

In addition to Mark Gusew's 2019 review on StereoNET, Greg Borrowman (Australian Hi Fi Magazine) also reviewed the OAD Phono stage in January 2024, available on Google via Enjoy the music.com:

 

January 2024

 

OAD UP1 MM/MC Phono Stage Review
The simplest things are often the truest.
Review By Greg Borrowman

Edited December 26, 2024 by parrasaw

[art of SOUND]

The OAD is one of my favourite phono stages in the 3K-ish price point. Amazingly quiet even when using its higher gain (up to 80dB!) output.

I was fortunate to install one of these this time last year with an accompanying Luxman PD-151A MK2 turntable and AT-ART20 cartridge.

 

The only reason I dont own one over my Primare R35 is my OCD - I hate the fact that the external power supply chassis is different to the main unit. I understand this keeps costs down, but it always bugged me (and as you can see in the pics below, this client too!). Maybe I should reach out to Jon to see if he would machine a power supply with the same look as the phono stage...

 

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by art of SOUND

[Vinylear]

20 hours ago, parrasaw said:

Hello  @Vinylear.

In addition to Mark Gusew's 2019 review on StereoNET, Greg Borrowman (Australian Hi Fi Magazine) also reviewed the OAD Phono stage in January 2024, available on Google via Enjoy the music.com:

 

January 2024

 

OAD UP1 MM/MC Phono Stage Review
The simplest things are often the truest.
Review By Greg Borrowman

 

Thank you parrasaw I read the review.

[Robbiefest]

https://www.oadultrafidelity.com/retired-products.html

 

I've got the first generation gear. Would be good to hear from some owners and reviewers. I know personally the power amp is the best I've owned, that's for sure.