[brosephus]

I've been hearing so much about this amp from a friend of mine that im thinking about buying it. I've got a few questions though, maybe chair guy or someone could help me out with it.

The thing im most worried about is the amount of wattage that this amp can output compared to the amount of wattage my speakers can handle. In the manual I found on JVC's site, it says the amp outputs 100watts per channel into 6ohms. My speakers are Paradigm Monitor 11's, CC370, ADP370's. They are all 8ohms compatible so that should translate into about 75watts per channel. My question is, is this amp really powerful enough for me to get a good amount out sound out of my speakers? My amp now is a yamaha, and even when I crank it up, I feel like the speakers are not really opening up. Like they are not getting enough power.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this?

[tubeytubeamp]

How big is your listening room? What type of music/movies do you listen to?

The paradigms should be a pretty benign load on your amp and you shouldn't have a problem. The JVC should have more than enough power under "normal" listening conditions.

The JVC should give you a more open sound tonally but it may not have the dynamics of the Yamaha.

If you buy one, make sure you can return it.

Dennis

[brosephus]

Its really not a matter of volume with me, its the quality of sound. I listen to things loud, but not really loud. So you think that this amp will have enough output to allow my speakers to really open up?

[tubeytubeamp]

The JVC's are one of the crisper/cleaner sounding amps I've had. Like I said, make sure you can return it if you don't like it.

Dennis

[TheChairGuy]

The MMG Maggies I listen to are 4' tall, 86 db sensitive and 4 ohm...I don't know your Paradigm's, but with a cone and dome arrangement and 8 ohms...the JVC should drive them to ear splitting levels.

As Tubey Dennis mentioned, they are really crisp, with remarkable snap and attack...waaaaaay betraying their small size and cost.

If you've been reading prior posts, know that some sort of AC conditioning (it need not be terribly expensive) generally improves things further (lowers ambient noise so you can enjoy it even more)

Good listening!

[brosephus]

Thanks for the response chair guy, I'll probably definitely get the reciever now. Im a bit of a beginer in the Audio community so I have a question about the ac conditioning. Do you mean something like a simple power conditioner/surge suppressor that you can buy from like monster, or is it something different?

[TheChairGuy]

Really critical listeners poo-poo the Monster stuff, but I think they work well for the money.  I have their Powerbar 2100 conditioner on my modest video system and it works fine. I think it was $169.00 (about whet the receiver costs - LOL - NOT!)

The Enacom AC Line conditoner is cheap, doesn't limit power and I understand is really good value for the money.  Change out the $0.39 power outlet to something better, too - worthwhile improvements for less then $50.00 for the outlet.

Cryo-Parts.com, and others, have lots of choices under $50 and are superior cryo'ed versions (deep frozen) for this.

If you can spend $175 more over cost of receiver for a good conditioner and cryo outlet, you'll really be pleased with your purchase of the F10.

[TheChairGuy]

brosephus,

For Pardigms at 8 ohms, I might recommend the older JVC RX-ES1sl.  I used them with my Vandersteen 1c's and were superior to the RX-F10 in tone and overall enjoyment. I sold it as the Maggie/F10 combo was better, overall.

The ES1sl cannot drive less than 6 ohm loads (which the MMGs are)

You might also notice Tubey Dennis is 'tubeless' in current amplification.  I'm no fan of tubes in the reproduction chain, and he is, and we both agree the ES1sl is about the best sounding tube amp around.  Certainly, for anywhere near the money. It's the best tube amp I have ever heard...weirdest thing.

The F10 is more brutish solid state sounding...necessary for some hard-to-drive speakers, but possibly NOT for your Paradigms.

[tubeytubeamp]

Yes, That is correct. I am tubeless at the moment. I sold off my tubes for financial and saftey reasons( a baby) and stumbled upon the JVC thanks to fellow enthusiasts like Chairguy and Dmason. One listen and I was hooked to the beautiful tone the JVC produced.

If I had the cash, I would be riding the Vinnie Red Wine Audio bandwagon. Until an armored Brinks truck turns over on the highway in front of me, I'll stick with the JVC.

Btw my current speakers, Phase Technology PC1.1II are 6ohms and 91db.

Dennis

[brosephus]

Chairguy, I've found an es1 online for $195 and am thinking about buying today, but I wanted to see what you think about one of the newer jvc or panny models. I was looking at the jvc RX-302B, the reason I picked this one is im partial to black components, but when it comes down to it, its all about the sound. This amp is 110 watts into 6ohms. Again the ohmage thing could be an issue, but do you think the ES1 would be superior? Also, if I do get either one of these instead of the F10, will I still get that tube amp sound eveybody here is raving about?

P.S. What do you think about the panasonic SA-XR55K?

[fabaudio]

Brosephus

 Check out the JVC RX-D201/301 thread. Apparently the new JVC's have over heating problems.

[TheChairGuy]

Don't exactly know the answers to all you've asked, brosephus....my listening stopped with the F10 in the JVC evolution of things.

I found the ES1sl very tubelike (with none of the drawbacks I hear with tube amplification), but I don't hear the F10 as particularly tubey.  It's just powerful for it's size and price and has those 4' panels well controlled - something that is essential to getting Maggies to sound right.

But, with all ready well controlled poly cone and domes, the ES1sl should be fine with your Paradigms.  The ES1sl seemed to have a slightly higher 'crap-out' (defective) factor than the F10, however.


Incidentally, neither my ES1sl or now F10 ran piping hot.  They run cooler then a couple tube preamps I've owned - hotter than any SS receiver, preamp or amp.  I keep it well ventilated and it's fed clean power thru a BPT balanced power unit....no problems with either, ever, on the heat front.

[brosephus]

thanks Chair Guy. I've ordered a ES1SL and it should be in next week.