Ron’s New System
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
- Start date
A fair point! From this JA100 experimentation I am hoping to learn several things, including:
-- whether under 100 watts or less is even remotely plausible for the Pendragon panels (answer seem to be yes)
-- whether 50 feet of single-ended interconnect in my room picks up noise (answer seems to be no)
-- learn about the sounds of different output tubes
I wonder if certain NOS EL34s can preserve or even enhance "midrange magic" while at the same time improving resolution and transparency.
For example, maybe I would consider JA200 Mk. IIs or JA500 Mk. IIs tuned specially to accommodate EL34s.
Or maybe both. They definitely do some absorbing, but they are deeply pleated maybe they also provide physical diffusion.
I haven't read every post. I thought you were after a SET/ PSET amplifier. Are you thinking higher powered Jadis with EL34 is a substitute that will drive your big speakers?
Why "a lot more than that"? Other than single-ended and 6dB less output than the balanced outputs what are the other technical ramifications of using balanced outputs and single-ended outputs simultaneously on the TL-7.5 Series III?
This is my last audio bucket list item. I want to use the JA100 experience to attempt to triangulate on the power level (52 watts (Absolare SET), 120 watts (MastersounD PSET), 160 watts (NAT Magma Eimac) and circuit type (SET/PSET) and tube type (845, 833, 450TH) which might yield the highest probability of success.
I am not going to be able to close this exploration without trying high power SET or PSET at some point.
The JA100 with KT90s at about 80 watts definitely is not an obvious failure. This realization alone has been very educational and enlightening. There now is no doubt to me that, as almost everybody reports, the Jadis transformers belie the amps' wattage ratings. The KT90s already are adding weight from the lower midrange on down. Maybe EL34s in Jadis might be too much of a good thing?
So, yes, I immediately wonder whether JA200 Mk. II with EL34s might preserve most of the lower midrange on down weight of the JA100, and recapture some resolution and transparency, without losing the midrange "magic." (A lot of ifs there!) Whether that would get me all the way back to the power and control and dynamics and soundstage solidity of the Siegfried II is another big question.
Gideon Schwartz of AudioArts in Manhattan visited me today. He is a long-time Jadis (and FM Acoustics and Goldmund and Zellaton dealer. Gideon is very nice and extremely knowledgeable! He advised me that the JA200 Mk. II would be a "lateral move," meaning, I think, that he does not think I would pick up enough in the way of dynamics to justify the JA200 Mk. II. He recommended his Goldmund solid-state.
But if I insisted on staying with Jadis Gideon recommended a move all the way up to JA500 Mk. II. However JA500 Mk. II is Class AB. If I were going to go 12 tubes per side Class AB I would just stay with the Siegfried IIs.
On the other hand the 300 watt JA500 Mk. IIs might be an excellent compromise if they provide most of the dynamics and soundstage solidity of the Siegfried IIs while adding a good dollop of Jadis midrange and, hopefully, weight from the lower midrange on down (which is what I am hearing loudly and clearly from the JA100s).
Last edited:
Can't speak to the "using balanced and single ended outputs at the same time", however using two dissimilar types of interconnect brands, ( Belden balanced, and Gothem single ended) may lead to some erroneous conclusions.... also your balanced cables are settled and broken in.... Unless your Gothem's are similarly broken in your conclusions may be somewhat misleading. Recommend you at least try and get a 50 foot run of the same Belden .
That way you will at least be evaluating same for same, except for the " balanced versus single ended".
That way you will at least be evaluating same for same, except for the " balanced versus single ended".
Oh, I completely agree! I just did not want to wait two weeks or more for the custom 47' Beldens, so I ordered something temporary from Amazon for two-day delivery.
Does sound like your speakers require more current than valve amps can offer. I'd give Gideon's suggestion a go.
I'm not sure why you are concluding this. The VTLs drive the speakers with total control.
EL34s are more musical than KTs. The telefunken dual getters which used to be priced at 1000 euro per pair are the most transparent with cleanest highs but usually the most musical and balanced are Mullards
You will then have to try the Absolare. MS, and NAT Magma. Not Jadis
A) What makes you think the higher powered Jadis amps have more resolution? You have more tubes and circuitry to contribute to noise and distortion. I think among Jadis lovers the JA30 is probably the best sounding of that amp line. I would expect that based on my experience with amps as well. Again, you are falling for the fallacy of power being inherently better.
B) I will reiterate that I think the best sounding high powered SET I have heard (and this includes all your choices except the biggest MasterSound...I have heard smaller 845 ones thought) is the Aries Cerat Concero 65. Transparency, dynamics (the best I know of regardless of the amp tech), resolution, and tonal/timbral accuracy that promotes a sense of realism. I don't know who else you are getting advice from that is steering you away from them but they are wrong and the AC amps are simply incredibly good.
The lack of body in the lower mid that Ron experienced. I meant to say 'some valve amps' ..
The lack of body was more apparent with the more powerful Siegfried II amps. Although, Ron did rebalance the bass modules, so who knows what effect that could have had? I have found that lower mid is where good tube amps excel as that gives the substance to musical instruments and it is SS amps that tend to sound leaner in that region.