When you go to his site, click "products" |
Sebna, good for you about the Job. I hope it gives you as much enjoyment and satisfaction as it does me!
The RCA inputs are located as follows: Both RCA inputs are directly beneath the speaker binding posts. If you are looking at the front faceplate of the Job, the left input is located all the way to the left edge of the amp, as I said, underneath the speaker binding posts. The right input (and speaker binding posts), are not on the edge but about 3-4 inches in FROM the right edge. The power cord goes in towards the right edge of the amp. Hope that helps.
My speakers in my room with this amp benefited from warmer cables. The Job doesn't have the negatives usually associated with SS amps (bright, edgy highs, so-so midrange), but in my system, every little bit helps. |
Wisnon, I assume your impressions of the Sweetcord were compared to the stock power cord? Have you tried any other cords on the 225 and if so, which? |
You guys might want to check this out:
http://www.10audio.com/audio-horizons_platinum-ref-fuses.htm
It's the new fuses from Audio Horizons. Expensive, but supposed to be outstanding. I know everything is system-dependant but supposedly better than the Liquid Nano (which Joeinid likes so much). Joe, you may want to look into this fuse as well!
I replaced the stock fuses in my Metrum DAC and Job 225 with Synergistic's fuses and the improvement was exceptional. Lower noise floor,more expansive soundstage (wide and depth), more detail, etc.
My only regret is I didn't to it sooner. |
Sebna, My Job currently rests on brass points so I cannot tell if it wobbles but don't remember it ever doing that when I took it out of the box. Regarding the buzz, yes my Job makes a VERY faint buzzing but it's heard only when I literally put my ear on the faceplate. Only transformer hum, not to worry.
Glory, LOL on the "Sweetpee". I'm sure that Heritage cord takes your 225 to the next level. I know I heard a wonderful improvement when going to my Synergistic Element Tungsten. |
Try this:
http://www.tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Job_225_mods.html |
Since there is no DC protection in the Job, slight DC leakage from a tubed preamp could go through and damage components in the speaker. At least this is how I understood it from Srajan at 6moons. Regarding preamps with the Job, I have experience with three, all passives. Also, those three preamps were of three different types: Transformer (TVC), Autoformer (AVC), and Light Dependent Resistor (LDR). The TVC was my friend's with transformers from Audio Consulting. The AVC is a Bent TAP-X, and the LDR is the Lightspeed Attenuator (a giant killer from George Stancheff). Although my time with the TVC was brief, it had an OVERALL wonderful sound. Somewhat similar to my LDR. The AVC is, I THINK......SLIGHTLY........EVER SO SLIGHTLY......a touch brighter than the other two. I only had it in the system for two days and I haven't had much time to listen because of a busy work schedule. All three preamps sound amazingly transparent, holographic, detailed, deep and wide soundstage etc,etc. I could HAPPILY live with any of the three. I have to make a decision on either the AVC or LDR but thankfully I'm in no rush whatsoever. I get to live with the AVC and LDR for a while so life is good! The AVC has more "oomph" at lower volume levels than the LDR (which is what I thought would happen), but oh that LDR....there is something so natural and correct about the LDR "sound" that I absolutely love. Forget "good for the money", the LDR may be the best of the best........in the right system of course. |
Thanks for reminding me Joeinid. Well, the Job is fitting in VERY nicely with the rest of the system which now includes the Lightspeed attenuator which FINALLY arrived. The Job along with the LSA is MILES ahead of the Wyred integrated I had and pretty much every other amp/preamp combo I've had over the years. Most impressive with the LSA/Job is the air and transparency I'm getting. To hear the "air" around a singer's voice or musician's trumpet for example, is astonishing. The LSA/Job sound very CLEAN. Midrange is nice, but I"m experimenting with different interconnects to get something "warm" and lush (Grover Huffman and Audiotruth). The upper midrange and highs are magnificent. No complaints in that area whatsoever. The LSA/Job have a very nice, deep and wide soundstage. I thought the bass on the Wyred integrated was amazing (and it still is frankly), but with the Job the bass is so much tighter, faster and more articulte than the Wyred or any other amp I've had for that matter. What I thought was tight and fast on the Wyred is actually fat and "bloaty" when comparing it to the Job.
Overall I'm pleased with the Job. My initial bad luck with the Job regarding the buzz/humm issue left me with a bad taste in my mouth but I must say, I'm finding the popular opinion on this amp to be all true. I can't believe sound quality like this is available for $1,500.
I just put on a brand new Synergistic Research Element Tungsten power cord on the Job 225. I haven't experimented with different tuning bullets yet other than the "warm" black one. I will update system soon.
How's your's doing? Any thoughts now that you've had it for a while? |
Well I guess I'll chime in here. First, I've used the Job without a preamp before. I connected the Metrum Octave's outputs directly to it and controlled the volume with my itouch. However, because I run PureMusic, I heard a very audible, very annoying hiss at low to moderate volumes (this is not to be confused with the humm/buzz I initially heard with the Job due to its grounding issue which was ultimately resolved with a simple rewiring from a service tech in NY).
I think the problem with running amp direct from my DAC was due to the Job's very high 35db gain and .75 Volt sensitivity. My buddy brought over his amp which is 26db gain and 1.86 volt input sensitivity and we herd nothing....no hiss whatsoever. So, keep the Job's high gain and input voltage sensitivity in mind if you go amp direct. I don't know if the Oppo has volume control. I'm assuming it does.
I've used the outstanding Lightspeed Attenuator LDR with the Job for about three weeks. During usage, I found it to be very transparent and open with the Job. However, it wasn't until I received the Bent TAP-X autoformer two weeks ago that I realized the LSA sounded a bit flat and heard a "lack of drive" if you will, with the Job. I think what I was hearing with the LSA MAY have been due to it's high output impedance going into the Job's 51K ohm input impedance. Now, 51K is slightly above the industry standard but in terms of passive preamps with very high output impedance, it may be cutting it too close, IMO. If the Job's input Z was 100K or over....different story.
Again, the LSA is an outstanding product and is one of the best bargains in audio. However, as good as the LSA is, the Bent, in my system, is THAT much better. More open, transparent, holographic and the biggest difference: it sounds more effortless with the Job. I think it's due to the autoformers not having impedance mismatch issues.
I know of the product from tortuga audio but have not been fortunate enough to hear one. |
I felt exactly the same immediately after my purchase of the 225 due to not owning a preamp. However, I was fortunate enough to have been blessed with a Bent TAP-X falling into my lap......for the second time. That said, I think I would love to have the integrated, or even still, have a listen to the preamp when it comes out. I've had some serious listening sessions in the last three days and I've come to a point where I think my 225 has reached its "breaking in" point. It always sounded amazing but I think a few days ago it hit the mark for final break in. I've said this before but here it is again: every time I listen to this amp, I shake my head in disbelief to the sound I'm getting. |
Well, with over 80 hours on the SR fuse in the Job I must say it definitely has taken an outstanding amplifier to another level. More air and transparency. More of a cleaner sound with lowering of the noise floor which is making even more information coming out of a blacker background. On live jazz recordings for example, I can hear more of the audience, tinkling of glasses, applause, that sort of thing. Now, someone may ask why the hell would you want to hear more of the crowd? Obviously that's not what I'm getting at. With these fuses I feel more "immersed" in the crowd, like I'm more THERE and the audience is more around ME. Midrange is warmer and more rich. Soundstage is wider and I hear more depth. It's much easier to follow instruments in the back row of the orchestra. Everything just sounds cleaner.
As I told my friend Bigshutterbug, I first placed the fuse with the type reading left to right. Meaning, while looking at the rear of the amp and pulling the fuse drawer TOWARDS YOU, the type read left to right, like normal. After listening, I reversed the direction. This resulted in what appeared to be less natural "shimmer" on cymbals and somewhat brighter overall sound. Midrange wasn't as warm. Going back to original direction made midrange more real and highs sounded less irritating. However, I wonder if SR has all of their fuses in the same direction when sending the high voltage through at the factory. If anyone has found different results regarding the direction in their systems, please let me know. |
Check out new pics on my "virtual systems". Finally stained my Mapleshade platforms and placed them in the rack under the Exactpower and Job. Moved some equipment around. |
Well, you DID also say it was a hum, so that's why I suggested grounding issue.
I could be wrong. I'm nowhere near an expert on this. |
Hmm.
My 225 was an early unit which had the grounding problem. Not to worry though. It is an easy fix. I sent my 225 to a place in NYC as instructed by Goldmund/Job. Mine was covered under warranty but since yours is used, you'll obviously have to pay the labor.This is, of course, if you have the same problem.
My 225 did it with the volume turned down though. |
Granny, I agree with George in that the 225 is very "passive friendly" as long as output impedance of source isn't too high. However, its input impedance is 51K.....not 100K. Also, most every source has at least 2V output.
What concerns me is the tube preamp. I'm pretty sure Srajean at 6moons said to be very cautious pairing the 225 with a tube preamp. The 225 has no DC protection so any DC leakage goes straight to the speakers! Not good.
IMO, the 225's specs SCREAM passive. I'm not going to get into the passive vs active debate hear. That's another topic for another thread.
What puzzles me is at 84db, your speakers are not efficient. I would think you would hear LESS hiss and hum beacause of that.
That said, I think your active preamp is putting out too much gain for your extremely sensitive, 35db job.
Like I said, im FAR from an expert with this here. Just my 2 cents. |
Jesus! Sorry to say, but sounds like you have something going on there.
I never felt the heatsinks, but I'll do it tomorrow morning. |
Hmm.
Like I said, I'll check tomorrow in the a.m. and post my findings.
At the temp you're describing, it's like it was class A or something. |
I read one if your other posts again. In it, you say the heatsinks get much hotter the louder you go. I'm wondering if the Job might not like seeing an 84db speaker. I find this hard to believe, though. I've read that the 225 puts out more power than its 125 w/ch spec says.
Again, I doubt it. I'm just trying to think of any possible scenario here.
|
???
What's the output impedance of your source?
Do you have any music that starts off VERY quiet and then SLOWLY increases in volume? I think it's Arthur Salvatore who calls it the "Bolero test". He connects a source directly into his amplifier and plays Bolero to see if a system can support a passive preamp.
*****BE CAREFUL!!! *****
Obviously volume is wide open here so make sure you stop the music before you do some damage.
I'm guessing your tube preamp and Job don't like each other. |
Yes George, that's precisely what I meant about the "not liking each other"comment. Too much gain. |
