.png){kind=small}
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
OA-JC5
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Headphone Amplifier
- Supported Frequency Range: 10Hz-80kHz (+/-1dB)
- S/N Ratio: 90dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.49% @1kHz
- Stereo Crosstalk: 65dB @1kHz 32ohm
- Maximum Output:
- 1W @16ohm
- 720mW @32ohm
- 100mW @300ohm
- 60mW @600ohm
- Input Sensitivity: 500mV
- Input Impedance: 100k ohms
- Output Impedance: < 1 ohm
- Headphone Output Impedance: 8-600 ohms
- Gain: +12dB
- Analog Output: RCA
- Analog Input: 6.35mm
- Volume Control: Analog knob
- Dimensions (mm): 125 x 100 x 70
Description
The OA-JC5 is a hybrid headphone amplifier equipped with a traditional 12AU7 vacuum tube in the preamp stage and 2SA1943 and 2SC5200 transistors in the output stage. This design combines the warmth of vacuum tubes with the precision of transistors to provide a rich and clear sound experience. The subtle glow of the filaments and the blue LED indicator lights enhance the immersive feel, deepening your connection to the music. By optimizing the layout of the rear-stage circuit, we have achieved low-noise, high-purity signal amplification. This allows musical nuances and emotional expressions, which are inherent in the piece, to fully expand and resonate.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
Select products
Select product comparisons
Traillii Japan Version
- Positioning: The entry-level unit designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Features a straightforward design with reliable circuit performance that works well for small rooms and modest sonic goals. Compared to other offerings like Mellianus JP or Isabellae, it offers basic functionality without advanced processing and is best for buyers with tighter budgets and simpler use cases.
Mellianus JP
- Positioning: A mid-range model balancing performance with cost effectiveness.
- Description: Incorporates improved build quality and refined circuit design that delivers clearer sound details for medium-sized spaces. Compared to the entry-level Traillii while not reaching the high-end sophistication of the Monachaa-1, it provides a noticeable step up in technology and sonic refinement.
Monachaa-1
- Positioning: A performance-focused unit aimed at enthusiasts looking for richer sound reproduction.
- Description: Introduces novel signal processing enhancements and a more nuanced circuit layout which offer a marked improvement in dynamic range and clarity. While it outperforms both Traillii and Mellianus in technical complexity, it remains a notch below the advanced features found in the Isabellae and Szalayi series.
Isabellae
- Positioning: A high-end product engineered for advanced audiophiles demanding greater technical performance.
- Description: Brings a refined power management system combined with enhanced signal integrity that suits larger rooms and higher sonic expectations. In comparison with the Monachaa-1 and Mellianus, it offers elevated build quality and more complex internal design while still positioned below the flagship Szalayi in terms of complete functionality.
Szalayi
- Positioning: The flagship offering that features the best available technology in the lineup.
- Description: Uses state-of-the-art components and advanced circuit design to achieve superior sound fidelity, wide soundstage control, and additional functionalities suitable for the most demanding setups. Compared to all others in the range, including Isabellae's high-end performance, Szalayi stands out with the most advanced features for buyers who prioritize maximum technical sophistication and versatility.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
817
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
10
Founding Year
2015
Our take on the brand
Oriolus is a Tokyo-based hifi brand best known for the Traillii IEM, which achieved near-mythic status at ~$6,000 through its unconventional all-balanced-armature design. Using 8 balanced armatures for lows/mids and 4 electrostatics for treble, it delivers unusually natural bass speed and holographic staging. The brand regularly releases Japan-specific editions and focuses on sound-first engineering over flashy packaging.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Oriolus
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Feliks Audio
ECHO 2
943
943
/
7
Reviews
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
Expand Details
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Unique and engaging musical experience, even with some hard-to-drive headphones
- Natural, fluid, musical sound with a bit of warmth, superb soundstage, and resolution
- Exceptional detail for the price category and low distortion
- Great build quality and a pleasing aesthetic, being hand-built
- Also works as a preamplifier for stereo setups
Product Considerations
- Not designed for planar magnetic headphones or for low impedance headphones
- May sound brighter, with lower bass quantity and precision, with low impedance headphones
- Tubes are consumables and will burn out after a couple thousand hours of use
- The power switch is located on the back, which some may find inconvenient
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SPL Audio Phonitor 2 amp—Echo 2 provides a more refined experience
- Vs Hagerman Tuba—Echo 2 has better driving power and clarity for high impedance headphones
- Vs Audio-gd Master 19—Echo 2 has a more natural tonality and deeper soundstage for high impedance headphones
- Vs Violectric HPA V340—Echo 2 has a more magical musicality and a smoother presentation for high impedance headphones
- Vs Burson Soloist 3X Performance—Echo MKII leans towards a slightly more relaxed sound, while Soloist leans into a more forward aggressive one, and the Soloist has stronger treble extension
Takeaway: The Feliks Audio Echo 2/MKII is a great tube amplifier for those who appreciate engaging and emotionally rich listening sessions, especially with high-impedance dynamic headphones. This hand-built amplifier offers a unique musicality and adds warmth and depth to music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
No items found.
How to buy
Amplifiers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
