Audio T Verdict
The Onyx Mk5 is the starting point in Origin Live's current tonearm range, but it already contains an impressive amount of the thinking found in the company's more ambitious designs. Rather than concentrating on cosmetic flourishes, Origin Live puts the money into the arm tube, bearings, VTA adjustment, wiring and the mechanical relationship between the cartridge and turntable.
The one-piece aircraft-alloy arm tube is now treated with Origin Live's Mk5 damping process, while purpose-made low-friction gimbal bearings support movement in both axes. Falling-weight side bias, adjustable VTA and cryogenically treated copper Litz wiring make this a much more sophisticated arm than its relatively simple appearance might suggest.
It's also refreshingly versatile. The standard 9.5-inch version fits Origin Live and Rega-style arm mounts, while adaptors and alternative configurations allow installation on a wide range of turntables. For an older deck in need of a serious tonearm upgrade, or as a natural partner for an Origin Live turntable, the Onyx Mk5 makes a great deal of sense.
Origin Live Onyx Mk5 Tonearm
The Onyx Mk5 is Origin Live's most accessible current tonearm and is designed and manufactured in Southampton, England.
The standard version uses Origin Live's approximately 9.5-inch geometry and combines:
- Single-piece aircraft-alloy arm tube
- Mk5 arm-tube damping treatment
- Purpose-made low-friction gimbal bearings
- Threaded VTA adjustment
- Falling-weight side bias
- Cryogenically treated copper Litz internal wiring
- Fixed headshell
- Adjustable counterweight tracking force
What Is New for Mk5?
Origin Live officially moved its complete tonearm range to Mk5 specification in February 2025.
For the Onyx, the principal Mk5 development is a revised treatment applied to the arm tube to further control resonance and vibration.
The Onyx through Encounter models remain visually very similar to their Mk4 predecessors, so the most important change is inside the mechanical treatment of the arm rather than a dramatic cosmetic redesign.
Identifying Mk5
Origin Live states that all tonearm models changed to Mk5 specification from 20 February 2025. The new arm-tube treatment had already started to appear on arms produced from September 2024, so serial number and manufacturing date are more useful than appearance alone when identifying late-production examples.
Single-Piece Aircraft-Alloy Arm Tube
The Onyx arm tube is formed from a single piece of high-grade aircraft alloy rather than using a detachable headshell at the cartridge end.
A rigid arm structure is important because the cartridge is trying to measure extremely small movements of the stylus. Any unwanted flexing or resonance within the structure holding the cartridge can therefore become part of the mechanical system.
Origin Live's Mk5 tube treatment is designed to further control resonance without replacing the alloy tube with a substantially heavier structure.
Low-Friction Gimbal Bearings
The Onyx uses gimbal bearings for both horizontal and vertical movement.
Origin Live specifies purpose-made bearings selected specifically for tonearm use, together with a yoke designed around their fit and mechanical behaviour.
This differs from the company's more expensive Encounter and higher models, which introduce Origin Live's Dual Pivot system for vertical movement. The Onyx remains a conventional gimbal design, albeit one developed around Origin Live's own bearing philosophy.
Onyx Mk5
- Low-friction gimbal bearings
- Aircraft-alloy arm tube
- Threaded VTA adjustment
- Falling-weight side bias
Higher Origin Live Arms
- Further upgraded arm structures
- Higher-grade materials
- Additional bearing developments
- More advanced adjustment on selected models
Falling-Weight Side Bias
Rather than using a spring-loaded or magnetic anti-skate dial, Origin Live uses a small falling weight suspended by thread.
The side-bias force counters the inward force generated as the stylus tracks the groove and helps the cartridge maintain more even contact with both groove walls.
Origin Live favours the falling-weight arrangement because it introduces very little friction or additional mechanical complexity into the tonearm.
Adjustable Tracking Force
Tracking force is established by moving the rear counterweight rather than using a spring-loaded downforce mechanism.
The Onyx does not incorporate a calibrated tracking-force dial, so an accurate stylus-force gauge should be used when installing or changing the cartridge.
Always Measure Tracking Force
Do not estimate cartridge downforce from counterweight position alone. Once the cartridge is installed and aligned, use an accurate stylus-force gauge to set the tracking force specified by the cartridge manufacturer.
Built-In VTA and Arm-Height Adjustment
Vertical Tracking Angle is adjusted through the threaded tonearm mounting pillar.
A top nut above the armboard establishes the required height, while a large clamping nut underneath secures the tonearm in position.
Unlike Origin Live's Encounter and higher tonearms, which provide more accessible VTA adjustment from above the armboard, the Onyx requires access underneath when the final height is secured.
Origin Live recommends an armboard around 20mm thick or less when the full range of VTA adjustment is required.
Standard 9.5-Inch Geometry
The standard current Onyx Mk5 is listed by Origin Live as the 9.5-inch / 239mm version.
For installation, Origin Live gives the following practical geometry:
- Nominal effective length: approximately 239 to 240mm
- Pivot-to-spindle distance: 222mm +/-1mm
- Rear protrusion from pivot: approximately 50mm
- Mounting-hole diameter: 23 to 25mm
- Preferred mounting-hole diameter: approximately 23mm
The small difference in published 239mm and 240mm figures reflects Origin Live's own current product and fitting documentation. For installation, the specified 222mm +/-1mm pivot-to-spindle position is the important mounting measurement.
Fits Rega-Style Arm Mounts
The standard Onyx Mk5 is designed to fit turntables using the familiar Rega-style mounting position.
This makes it suitable for many decks originally fitted with Rega tonearms, including both older single-hole and newer three-point Rega mounting systems, although the unused three mounting holes may remain visible when replacing a three-point arm.
Origin Live also offers suitable mounting solutions for:
- Origin Live turntables
- Rega turntables and Rega-style mounts
- SME armboards using an adaptor
- Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 models using a suitable armboard
- Linn LP12 installations
Separate Linn-Geometry Version
Origin Live currently offers a dedicated 229mm Onyx Mk5 with Linn mounting geometry for turntables designed around the Linn arm position.
This is a separate version from the standard 239mm model and is not suitable for Origin Live's own turntables.
If fitting an Onyx to a Linn LP12, the correct approach depends on whether you intend to retain Linn mounting geometry or use an armboard drilled for the standard Origin Live/Rega position.
Check the Mounting Geometry Before Ordering
The standard 9.5-inch Onyx and dedicated Linn-geometry Onyx are physically different configurations. If the tonearm is being fitted to anything other than an Origin Live or straightforward Rega-style mount, confirm the required geometry before ordering.
Cryogenically Treated Copper Litz Wiring
The cartridge signal travels through high-grade copper Litz internal wire selected by Origin Live for the extremely low signal levels produced by a phono cartridge.
The internal wire is cryogenically treated and runs from the fixed headshell through the arm structure.
The standard current Onyx is supplied with an external tonearm cable terminated in RCA plugs for connection to a phono stage or amplifier.
Origin Live also offers manufacturer options including upgraded Silver Hybrid external cabling and detachable 5-pin DIN configurations where required.
Fixed Headshell
The cartridge mounting platform is fixed to the arm tube rather than being detachable.
This removes the additional mechanical joint associated with a removable headshell and provides a rigid platform for conventional two-bolt phono cartridges.
Cartridge overhang and alignment are adjusted by moving the cartridge within the headshell slots.
12g Published Effective Mass
Origin Live's published comparison specification lists an effective mass of approximately 12g for the standard Onyx.
This places it broadly in the medium-mass category and makes it practical with a wide range of contemporary Moving Magnet, Moving Iron and Moving Coil cartridges.
Origin Live places less emphasis on traditional compliance calculations than some tonearm manufacturers and also offers optional 2g, 5g and 10g headshell weights for systems where additional effective mass is desirable.
Natural Partner for Origin Live Turntables
The standard-length Onyx can be fitted directly to Origin Live's current turntables, including the Aurora, Swift and Calypso.
It is therefore an obvious starting point when building one of Origin Live's no-arm turntables into a complete vinyl source, while leaving straightforward upgrade paths to the Silver, Zephyr and higher models.
Key Features
- Origin Live Onyx Mk5
- Standard 9.5-inch configuration
- 239mm manufacturer designation
- Approximately 240mm effective length
- 222mm +/-1mm pivot-to-spindle distance
- Approximately 12g effective mass
- Single-piece aircraft-alloy arm tube
- Mk5 arm-tube damping treatment
- Fixed headshell
- Low-friction gimbal bearings
- Purpose-made bearing design
- Precision yoke design
- Threaded VTA adjustment
- Falling-weight side bias
- Counterweight tracking-force adjustment
- Cryogenically treated copper Litz wiring
- External tonearm cable included
- RCA connection as standard
- Optional cable upgrades available
- Optional 5-pin DIN arrangement available
- 23 to 25mm mounting hole
- Rega-style mounting compatibility
- Compatible with Origin Live turntables
- SME adaptor option
- Technics armboard option
- Separate Linn-geometry version available
- Optional headshell weights available
- Designed and manufactured in Southampton
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
What length is the Origin Live Onyx Mk5?
The standard current version is described by Origin Live as its 9.5-inch / 239mm tonearm. Its fitting documentation gives an effective length of approximately 240mm.
What is the mounting distance?
For the standard version, Origin Live specifies approximately 222mm +/-1mm from the tonearm mounting-hole centre to the platter spindle.
What is the effective mass?
Origin Live's published comparison specification lists approximately 12g for the standard-length Onyx.
Does the Onyx Mk5 use a unipivot bearing?
No. It uses purpose-made low-friction gimbal bearings for both horizontal and vertical movement.
Does it have adjustable VTA?
Yes. Height is adjusted using the threaded mounting pillar and top nut, with the clamping nut underneath the armboard securing the final position.
Can VTA be adjusted from above while playing a record?
No. The Onyx uses Origin Live's simpler threaded pillar adjustment. The more accessible above-armboard VTA system is introduced further up the range.
How is anti-skate adjusted?
The Onyx uses Origin Live's falling-weight and thread side-bias system.
Does it have a removable headshell?
No. The headshell is fixed to the arm structure, with the cartridge bolted directly to it.
What changed with Mk5?
The principal Mk5 development for the Onyx is Origin Live's revised arm-tube damping treatment. Mk5 was officially introduced across the full tonearm range in February 2025.
Will it fit a Rega turntable?
The standard Onyx is designed around the Rega-style mounting position and can replace many Rega-mounted arms, although the exact installation should always be checked before ordering.
Will it fit a Linn LP12?
Yes, but there are two approaches. Origin Live offers a dedicated 229mm Linn-geometry version, or the standard arm can be used with a suitably drilled LP12 armboard.
Will it fit an Origin Live turntable?
Yes. The standard 9.5-inch Onyx is suitable for Origin Live's current turntables.
Can it be fitted to an SME armboard?
Yes, using Origin Live's appropriate SME mounting adaptor.
Can it be fitted to a Technics SL-1200 or SL-1210?
Yes, with a suitable Origin Live or compatible armboard that provides the correct mounting geometry.
Which cartridges will work with it?
The medium effective mass and conventional fixed headshell make the Onyx suitable for a broad range of Moving Magnet, Moving Iron and Moving Coil cartridges. Final cartridge choice should also consider tracking force, body dimensions and the phono stage being used.
Does it include a stylus-force gauge?
No. Tracking force is set by counterweight position, so a separate stylus-force gauge is recommended for accurate setup.
What cable is supplied?
The current standard Onyx is supplied with an external tonearm cable terminating in RCA connectors. Origin Live also offers upgraded cable and detachable DIN options.
What warranty does it have?
Origin Live guarantees its tonearms against manufacturing faults for five years, provided the arm has not been modified by another party or mistreated.
Related Origin Live Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Origin Live From Audio T?
A tonearm only performs properly when its mounting geometry, cartridge alignment, tracking force, VTA and side bias are set correctly. Audio T can help confirm compatibility with your turntable and cartridge and professionally configure the complete analogue front end.
- Origin Live tonearm demonstrations
- Turntable compatibility checks
- Tonearm fitting
- Cartridge selection
- Professional cartridge alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Side-bias setup
- VTA and tonearm-height adjustment
- Phono-stage matching
- Origin Live turntable matching
- Upgrade advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss fitting an Origin Live Onyx Mk5 to your turntable or building a complete Origin Live vinyl system.