I am indeed the lucky recipient of Joe's JOR. Just for perspective, let me state that my home system (EMM DCC2, CDSD, Sota Cosmos latest vacuum model, Shelter 901, EAR 324, Atma-Sphere MP-1 Mk III, Atma-Sphere MA-2 (220 WPC OTL Class A), Kharma Reference 3.2, PAD Dominus i/cs and s/cs) provides no more musical pleasure than my much more modest second office system, powered by the incredible JOR (Merlin TSM-Mx, APL 3910, Thorens 125 Mk III, Shure V15V, Wright WPP 200 C phono preamp, Cardas GR i/cs and s/c) which runs 12 hours every day while I work. (3500 hours) I am ashamed and embarassed to say that in the 12 months I have owned it, I have not re-biased it after Joe kindly biased it and sent his JJ blue EL 34s with it. I did replace the 12AX7s with Mullard NOS courtesy of Andy at Vintage Tubes. I cannot face dissembling the amp - although it is obviously time, after 12 months. But you cant tell from listening. This is an ear-opening amp, of seductive mid-range, sweet, mellow but resolved highs and light, non-weighty but satisfactory bass. For classical, mostly chamber music - you should just hear Mozart Clarinet concerto or Kiri singing Dovo Sono - you dont miss the non-stellar lower notes - But the overall midrange and high-end are so beguiling, relaxing and tonally perfect, that I elect to listen to it all day rather than come home to a system that is logarithmically more expensive and powerful and "better." But, you just cant beat the utter musicality and visceral appeal of the JOR amp. The mids and highs have a earthy, almost thick, but detailed enough, mystical presence, an almost palpable feel that is sensuous and gripping beyond description - - It blew away any other amps I have tried, including many highly rated SS amps and high powered SET amps of highly pedigreed lineage. This is indeed a magical piece of music-producing design and again I thank Joe for selling it - I really dont think he wanted to - had his arm kinda severely twisted, but it aint going nowhere, unless someone offers me the new auto-biasing Jadis at a song:). Joe's description of its strengths are perfect, and if this wasn't such a pain to bias, would get even higher raves than the best compliment I can give it - it is my first listening choice every day. I cant bring it home to try with the Kharmas because it doesn't have balanced inputs and all my home cables are XLRs. But it owns you after a while and could only conceivably be replaced with another Jadis.....just like Joe did and said.
Jadis Orchestra Reference SE and DA-50 Integrateds
Just out of curiosity, since I may decide to set up a second system later, how would you describe the difference between these integrated amplifiers outside of their roughly double price difference? And how would you compare them to a pre/power combo like the JA-15 and JP-15? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.