2. amps-preamps
  3. 1146791949

Jadis Orchestra Ref + Pre-Amp?

Wondering if it is possible to use the JOR as a power amp, with a Pre-Amp and CD feeding in, and whether this would help with the avoidance of clipping - I have no background in electronics, so I'm unsure whether the pre-amplifier boosts the signal in a meaningful way, and if so whether this translates to an easier time for the JOR - the issue at the moment is with solo piano music, where there are large changes in dynamics and a crash of chords brings distortion, which sounds like clipping, albeit 'soft' clipping; needless to add turning down the volume prevents this problem, but then I'm listening at a lower volume level than I've been accustomed. I was warned about the amp being a bit underpowered for the difficult load my speakers represent (Wilson Cubs) - distortion never occurred with a previous, more powerful, ARC amp (D125). I still have an ARC SP9MkIII pre-amp.

If the above is possible, would it be preferable to run the JOR with the gain wide open, and use the pre-amp to attenuate volume, or the other way around?

Thanks for your anticipated help.
Rob.
bezimienny

Showing 2 responses by rcprince

rcprince
3,061 posts
 
I would probably ask Pierre Gabriel or Jadis the question. If you don't have pre-out/amp in jacks on the back, you probably couldn't do this without major surgery. What output tubes do you use in the JOR? You might try KT88s, if you're using EL-34s, you lose a little midrange magic but get a bit more power. I'd choose them over KT90s or 6550s.
rcprince
3,061 posts
 
I suppose, if the preamp section of the JOR is truly passive (I seem to recall reading somewhere that it might be an active solid-state unit, though, so that's why I'd ask Jadis), you could try your ARC preamp running into the Tape In input (or for that matter, I guess any input) and seeing how it sounds. The losses in transparency might be offset partially by the additional gain. But I'd keep the volume on the ARC very low at first, and gradually build it up, to make sure there's no overload problems.
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