First of all,
sorry for any syntax or grammar error. My region is not from United
Kingdom.
This amplifier is a very special one. First of all, you have to know
that it has a passive pre-amp build in and you have to forget and to
reject any fears regarding the tone controls it has in the front
pannel. The whole pre-amp section does not affect at all the sound,
its passive and ,even if its not the simplest passive pre-amp, its
dead-silent and neutral as all passive amps.
The most impressive thing I noticed with this amplifier at first is
the lack of noise, unbelievable-ala-solid-state lack of noise and hum.
Zero. Secondly, listening to the amp for the first-ever hour, I
noticed so much air, openness, life and texture presence that left me
with the mouth open. The dynamism, polite but very punchy attack and
presence is rare and not heared before in any KT88 design of the price
range. Except all that I heared the Jadis O.Ref. grain-free & very
very smooth treble that for the first time positioned upper/higher
violin notes in place with the rest of the notes, as a whole never
experienced before. It brings for the first time the violin in your
room as never heared before. Add to all this good stuff liquidity and
the heart of music: The flow. Unbelievable good flow . Note follows
note like never before. Also imaging is top class. The stringed
instruments sounded full and woody but with air breathing from inside,
more life like and far more weighty than other very good KT-tube
designs I heared without sacrifice of air, image focus or ambience.
Instead images float easily above and inside speakers - but the whole
picture was not characterized as laid-back . Better I would say 5-10
raw front-mid-hall aspect (of course it depents also on cables etc. in
chain). Soundstage is very good and after burn in the soundstage grow
more and more in terms of depth and height. Height of sound is another
talent of Jadis. Sound flows above speakers. Also, to the whole sound
contributes my speaker cable: I prefer to use as my absolute reference
under $1500 USD reference the Acoustic Zen Satori MkII speaker cable,
I think none is better.
I
needed to burn-in the amp about 120 hours. From the beginning,
liquidity, air and realism is very apparent, but after 120 hours it
sounds less 'mechanical' than the first 10-40 hours, even sweeter and
even more rich-lush and stress-free.
I
believe that Ei KT90 and Jadis create a sound unforgetable, full of
pleasure and stunning musicallity that is rare for the asking price.
Also, I never heared another integrated tube amp with so right sence
of air, completeness, dynamism and precence. From Beatles to Beethoven
everything sounds magical. Unlike other amps of the price range, the
boldness (together with pin-sharp imaging and sweetest but analytical
enought hi-freqs.) and detail is something that is rare to find
together. This design prooves that this is possible. Dont forget the
finish and looks of Jadis - also something very special for the money.
I forgot to mention that the amp sounds warmer than many other amps of
the category. Also something rare: I found transient speed very good
and faster than all other designs I auditioned. Also bass is excellent
and very well defined -with air and attack- for such design , KT90 I
think made this job. Not at all emphasized neither left you wanting
more. Listen to John Patitucci Line by Line newest CD release.
Stunning bass from tubes in the category. Also dynamic contrasts are
coming like a hammer from the about 45 watts of this amp. Dynamics is
something that you must hear to believe.
If I have to say something negative about Jadis O.Ref is that it has
no easy-bias adjustment (please add auto-bias in the future). Forget
tube rolling with Orchestra. Do it just once per 2-years of listening.
Also I will say that is so addictive that you cannot hear another amp
at any price and be happier in total than Jadis.:) At last, I will go
to audition to Class A models like DA30 etc. to believe that better
sound can purchased! For Jazz, Classical (especially stringed
instrument presentation that is mythical reproduced via Jadis O.Ref.),
Piano recordings combined with med.eff. speakers ala 86db-90db 6-8ohm
speakers this is the amp for you. A power gentleman. Drop Gilmour's On
an Island or even a heavier band and you will rock the house also.
Very alive, dynamic and punchy also !
