[Audioexcels]

Perhaps there were mentionings here and there, but this "amplifier" was used as a two channel device in many systems, even cost no object type ones.  So I put this ad. into the two channel venue because in spite it is a multi-channel/digital receiver, those that used it did so for two channel reproduction.  And now to the "perhaps" part that has begun this thread...perhaps those that have owned or still own this amp have stated associated equipment involved, but RARELY did I ever see mentionings of it.  I saw some "ideas" such as conditioning, power cord, etc. "mods", but only found a few different places where the "source" and "real" equipment involved to make this amp work successfully was mentioned.  For example, I think I saw maybe one time the mentioning of the Scott Nixon dac by a person that said his friend used the same one, but the tubed version.  Aside from this, and reading 100's of responses, I didn't locate any other info regarding the "source" used with this amp.  So...I'd like to know ALL the people that have used this unit for two channel audio to chime in and give the exact configuration/source that they used for their assessment of the unit.

For example, I gather most did the analog route and used some sort of cdp or a dac.

Here's some questions for all that have used the unit:

1) What cdp or dac from the JVC?
2) Did any ever use only the digital out to a transport?
3) Was the volume control of the JVC used for volume OR was an outboard preamp/gain knob from dac used?
4) Did anyone ever try to bridge the digital modules so more output could be achieved from the unit?
5) How many tried two to vertical bi-wire and how many tried bi-wiring just the one...and the results?


My primary interest is in the source used in the chain with the JVC.  The other questions...feel free to answer or not.

Thanks all!

[TheChairGuy]

Audioexcels,

The JVC's are rather terrible when using digital....everyone that had positive experiences had them used thru the analog inputs fed from a standalone CDP or DAC.  Everyone that tried it, I think,is in 100% agreement on that one.

In my case, it was fed by $4500.00 in transport and DAC (Empirical Audio modded Sony DVP-S7700 transport, MSB Gold Link III DAC, P1000 Power Supply and upgraded Revelation Audio Labs digital IS2 and umbilical).  It didn't embarass itself at all for the price. 

It was alos used as standalone power amp (bypassing the volume control) by running my tube (phono equipped) preamp in to it's tape inputs...using the volume control of the preamp (and phono and line inputs) this way.  It sounded just fine that way, too.

The key to all of this is the level of power conditioning you use it with.....when last used (it broke down on me and I threw it out almost a year ago now) was a BPT-2 balanced power unit and Brickwall power conditioner before that for terrificly clean AC. 

It's certainly silly feeding this little fella' with $1700.00 in power conditioning and $4500.00 in digital front end....but it acquitted itself quite capably (except on long term use  )

[Audioexcels]

Did you find any differences using direct out vs. the volume on the receiver?  I hope others will chime in on how they used their setup.  By the way, did you ever use a line conditioner on your front end? This is where it helps the most, though I don't doubt your impression of use with the receiver.

[TheChairGuy]

Did you find any differences using direct out vs. the volume on the receiver?  I hope others will chime in on how they used their setup.  By the way, did you ever use a line conditioner on your front end? This is where it helps the most, though I don't doubt your impression of use with the receiver.

My BPT-2 has 10 outlets...so everything in my system, including the F10 back then, was hooked to it. 

Line conditioning helps the front end, to be sure, but helped the F10 even more - in my opinion. All things to all people - and you may find differently.

No matter how you configured the JVC receiver, there was always a little 'hashy' or 'spitty' sound underlying everything...tho it never seemed to get in the way of enjoying most of the music from it.  It could well have been radiating EMI splaying about by the innate nature of 'digital' amplification.....but as it did so much right for $249.00 it didn't bother me (that is, unless I find out I got cancer from it later in life )    Next to the Odyssey Khartago stereo, and now mono block units owned...it was the 2nd least fatiguing SS amp ever used in my office/listening room.

I've only tried one tube amp in there (vintage monoblocks by Dukane), but they went 'pffffft'  too fast to evaluate them further.

[Audioexcels]

I wonder if the spitty sound can be eliminated by "good" cables:).  I will have one of these brand new in the box by Friday so I will let everyone know my thoughts running with a very high end setup per how it does.  I actually have a barely used one coming a week from today.  I also have access to another two brand new ones:).  Maybe I should vertically amp them...hmmmm...But I have heard similar to line conditioning that vertical amping is either helpful or pointless.  I wish I could bridge the amp's modules somehow...use 4 or 6 of them someway, along with an outboard power supply. 

Do you know how an external power supply would affect the interaction of the onboard one?  Does one have to totally defeat the onboard power supply or can it be simultaneously hooked to the amp?  For example, I use a linear/regulated power supply for my Squeezebox but do not do anything per mods internally...and it works like a charm.

[TheChairGuy]

I'd stick with the barely used one...or, better yet, factory re-conditioned if it exists.  As these units had long term run-on issues...it's good to know it works out of the box and/or a tech has looked it over.  Unfortunately, they are not made for long life, in general.

My cables are always shielded...I lived in Washington DC for 8 years about 300 yards as the crow flies from the main TV/Radio tower in the city (near it's highest point in the District).  Shielded IC and PC's were very beneficial...not as much needed any longer 6 miles across the bay from San Francisco in (relative) suburbia.

Don't know the answers to your thoughts...maybe other do or will if we keep this topic a live long enough between us   

[Audioexcels]

hehehehe:)..."Supposedly" the new in box one comes from a seller that will honor a year warranty on it.  So that's good news.  As for the other two I can get, I don't anticipate a warranty there:).  I will have to get the new one out just to verify all is working ok, maybe run it in overnight and just make sure it is ok to go.  I have to sell one of them so I'm trying to figure out which one that will be:).  Brand new with warranty assistance or used with possible warranty left from Amazon that claims a 2 year warranty which expires in 90 or so days.  I have to ask a tech friend about using a beefy power supply with the JVC and see if that would be doable.  Looks like we are the only ones around so far describing the system configuration.

A BEAUTIFUL dac to look into is the discreet output stage modification by Ori at Headhifi.  It will, sorry to say it, easily take out that MSB dac...well, it also took out a dac that costs more than both of our systems combined.

[Audioexcels]

I'd stick with the barely used one...or, better yet, factory re-conditioned if it exists.  As these units had long term run-on issues...it's good to know it works out of the box and/or a tech has looked it over.  Unfortunately, they are not made for long life, in general.

My cables are always shielded...I lived in Washington DC for 8 years about 300 yards as the crow flies from the main TV/Radio tower in the city (near it's highest point in the District).  Shielded IC and PC's were very beneficial...not as much needed any longer 6 miles across the bay from San Francisco in (relative) suburbia.

Don't know the answers to your thoughts...maybe other do or will if we keep this topic a live long enough between us   

Do you happen to know if the JVC can be made into a monoblock?  Panasonic uses that dual amp mode and I know the Hypex "stereo" modules can be bridged...as in two together to make one channel.