[bixby]

Glad you asked.  I've been running it non-stop since Monday, Aug 2 at about 6:00 pm. And tonight, I switched it over to driving my Omega Grande8Rs (which have about 80 hours on them).

To the credit of the Nohr SE-9, which the JVC is trying to unseat as my bedroom amp, the JVC is NOT besting it yet. However, the JVC, is already the equal of the Nohr in at least one area: it is non-fatiguing. It also seems to handle big music (orchestral) better than the SE-9. The tube amp seems congested where the JVC se ...

Hi Seminarian, I just bought one of these low budget digital wonders.  I also have it in a system where my Nohr SE-9 sat.  I am running a modded Sony DVD with Ack Dac to Selah RC-2 speakers.  Nice sound but no depth of soundstage yet.  And a bit bright at some frequencies but lack of definition in others.  It may be because of the transport.  My NAD C321bee is in the bedroom but may be placed into service to see if there is a difference.

Can anyone tell me if this really does change greatly at 300 hours?
I know my VH audio speaker cable was transformed in my main system with lots of break in hours.

[ooheadsoo]

With my setup, I definitely have depth.  Just how much depth, is the question.

[TheChairGuy]

bixby,

talk to ya' in a week-and-a-half...don't fully evaluate until 300 hour mark and...get some power conditioning on it.

I expect to see the Norh on A-gon soon.

 

[bixby]

Any comments on synergy with mid range dacs like the ack dack, SN's dacs, or, say, a benchmark dac1?

I let you know after more listening.  I have the ack going through a modded Sony DVD now.  Sounds a bit thin (the JVC only has 50-75 hours on it), I like the NAD as a transport better wiht the ack, but that was with my 8 watt Nohr and my headphone system.  I'll keep you posted.

With the ack in my big rig I prefer it at times to my Cary 303/200 which is no slouch.

[bixby]

If you want to run an analog signal you need to use the DVD inputs, and then set the receiver to DVD/Multi. That'll bypass the A->D->A conversion that would normally happen. You can also connect a digital coax or toslink cable from the player to the same input, and then switch between DVD & DVD/Multi to compare the two. If you have a good cd player chances are the analog in will sound better (IMO) but definitely try both.

Gary

Can't you run an analog signal into the jacks marked audio?  Is there another difference with the dvd inputs?  You have to turn the knob to vcr on the  input selector, but that should be a straight in and through signal, right?  I did set all the other stuff relating to sub and full range fronts only.

thanks

[bixby]

I made it to the post about dvd multi- go figure, it sounds much better, but man I hate the glare right now on vocals.  Only 225 more hours or so .

I may try switching things out a bit.  It kind of reminds me of teflon wire dielectric when not broken in or silver coated copper like dh labs ics or what you ears sound like the next day after attending a Stone Temple Pilots concert.

[JLM]

I've had the opprotunity to home audition a JVC RX-EX1SL with my single driver speakers (Bob Brines FTA-2000).

http://www.geocities.com/rbrines1/

I should be nearing the magic 300 hour point on the JVC soon.  So far its better than my 6 year old $700 100 wpc Rotel stereo receiver, but not as good as a $1500 12 wpc Decware Torii integrated tube amp that I also recently had in for an extended in home audition.  The Decware had better imaging, bass fullness, detail, and midrange magic.

Of the three, the JVC wins the sound quality per dollar contest but as expected it also, by far, has the poorest quality of construction.

By their very nature single driver speakers are very easy to drive.  The transmission line design of my FTA-2000 improves on that even more by smoothing out the bass impedance curve such that the 12 wpc tube amp got plenty loud in my 1700 cubic foot room.  So from a strictly numbers/electrical design viewpoint I'm not sure if I'd expect an unique synergy between single driver speakers and any particular type of amp.

While the FTA-2000 may be the ultimate single driver speaker IMO (with in room 25 - 20,000 Hz response with the right amp), I wouldn't say its the best speaker ever (no speaker is or ever will be).  I've read that chip amps are a good match for single driver speakers and from a "simplier is better" design perspective they match up well.  So that's what I'd like to try next, while keeping the price/build quality of the amp on par with the speakers.  BTW the Decware amp fits well into those simplier/price/quality camps too.

[ToddSTS]

bixby,

talk to ya' in a week-and-a-half...don't fully evaluate until 300 hour mark and...get some power conditioning on it.

I expect to see the Norh on A-gon soon.

 

TheChairGuy,

I am currently running my ES1SL 24-7, I have about 200 hours on it.  I have a few questions.  

Does it matter what volume you run it at?  I am varying it (down at night, moderate when away from home, higher when I'm home).

Does it need to be on 24-7 during break-in or is break-in the cumulative impact of all the hours put on it regardless of on/off cycling?

I never did this dedicated method of break-in on my Panasonics (XR45, XR10).  Do my cumulative hours of listening to them do pretty much the same thing albeit slower?  Or should I also run them 24-7 for a while?  The Pannies have always seemed bright to me which is why I decided to try the JVC.

Thanks.

Todd

[TheChairGuy]

TheChairGuy,

I am currently running my ES1SL 24-7, I have about 200 hours on it.  I have a few questions.  

Does it matter what volume you run it at?  I am varying it (down at night, moderate when away from home, higher when I'm home).

Todd,

You're doing about the way I did it....ran it for 24/7 and played it during the day (my office, and listening room is in my home).

I thought it was cooked at 100 hours, then 200...but at about 300 hours it ALL came together.  I do not know if running it at lower volumes, or on/off cycling changes the result one iota...probably not.  It took the 90db sensitive Vandy 1c's to heaven....other, less sensitive speakers fared less well.  You don't mention what speakers you have....but this seems critical to your enjoyment of it.  I moved on from the Vandy's 'cause I can't handle the metal dome tweeter...but it was handled better than other equipment on it EVER was.

Just get 300 hours on it somehow and see how you like it.  The ES1sl has a penchant for high sensitivity/8 ohm impedance speakers..if you have that, you'll likely love the value/sound ration quite a bit.  And, get some power conditioning on it...pays off dividends here.

Lower sensitivity and or impedance spekaers seem to fare less well with the ES1sl.  I just bought a (2nd generation) RX-F10 that *should*, or seems to, cope better with lower sensitivity/impedance loads.

We'll see in about 3 weeks...it arrives on this Friday.  For $250 shipped to my door, I can afford to splurge  

[Russtafarian]

I just saw an open-box ES1sl at Costco yesterday for $99.  Worth getting at that price?

[ooheadsoo]

Only if it doesn't have any problems and you can use one

I would snatch it if I didn't already have one and there was a return policy in case it was one of those bad apples.

[TheChairGuy]

Russtfarian,

Damn good deal at $99...as ooheadsoo alludes...IF it works.

Seems the batch shipped to Costco was most defect prone. Most consistent defect was improperly glued down foam pad that interferes with the fan.  It's an easy fix ...just prop off the lid and move the pad.

The unit overheats if the fan is not operating properly.

Make sure your speakers are 87+ db sensitive and doesn't stray too  far from 8 ohm.  It's magic for $99 if you have those numbers handled.

If Costco isn't far from you , and you have to return it, there isn't much downside to buying one. You'll either understand why some of us coo over this puppy, or deride us as audio lunatics.  

[mcgsxr]

Not that I can disagree yet, but I look forward to giving the ES-1 a run with my 4ohm Totems - just for the heck of it.  They are 86db efficiency, and should prove to be the exact opposite of what the JVC wants...

Good thing I have those 8ohm CSS full rangers lying around!

[TheChairGuy]

If my similarly specced Maggies are any indication, your JVC will be insufficient to drive them.  

But, your full rangers, ahhhhh, may never have sounded so good.....

[mcgsxr]

Well, hopefully the JVC won't choke, I was hoping to use it for HT, and I have in ceiling 4ohm surrounds... Oh well, I guess I cannot expect to get it ALL for the $$...

I guess I could sell the Totems, and buy more full rangers - AHHHHHHH

[TheChairGuy]

The F10 is rated to 6 ohms...and someone here (-Richard-) already succssfully paired with Maggies (larger ones).

I splurged for US$250  delivered from J & R..it'll be here on Friday.  Our health care is hideously expensive here, but our electronic toys are cheaper than you Canucks can get it for.

Hope it works; I do dearly love the JVC's sound on my Vandy's....but the Vandy's aren't the ticket for me, I think.   Not sure if Maggies are, but a lot of folks stop their speaker searching with Maggies, so I hope so  

[mcgsxr]

Good point about the newer JVC, but I am trying to consolidate gear, not multiply it...

I may end up running the Totems and in-ceilings in series, just to hit the 8ohm impedence (and I have the space on some shelves back there to do it) and keep the ES-1 happy.

Ahh, decisions, decisions!

[ToddSTS]

Todd,

 You don't mention what speakers you have.......

Thanks for the reply....I am using Athena AS-F2s they are very efficient and 8ohms.   Once its broken in I will test it out with my Ascend CMB-170s too.

Todd

BTW, I just received a Sonic Impact T-amp, tiny tripath amp.  Hooked it up with a wall-wart I had and it didn't sound too bad considering how small it is.  I'm going to mess around with the power and feed it a better source to see how it can sound.  AudioAsylum has said some good things about it.  Edit:  whoops, oh yeah, I see its been discussed here too.  So many audio forums....so little time......

[Kevad]

Quick question on the ES1sl.  I've got the F10 up in my main listening room, and am very happy with it.  So, I was considering adding an ES1sl to my downstairs TV, since they are so cheap.  However, I was wondering if the ES1sl provides component video switching like the F10?

Thanks,

[TheChairGuy]

Quick question on the ES1sl.  I've got the F10 up in my main listening room, and am very happy with it.  So, I was considering adding an ES1sl to my downstairs TV, since they are so cheap.  However, I was wondering if the ES1sl provides component video switching like the F10?

Thanks,

Kevad,

Not a videophile, but there are component video inputs for DVD and DBS and a monitor out component jacks, too, on the ES1sl.

Looking at the manual, on page 20, is instructions for "Setting the Video Component Input Mode - DVD Vido/DBS Video'.  So, answer would seem to be yes.

Hey, want my ES1sl?...it's well burned in.  I paid $179 + $18 shipping in July...it never overheated or had other issues like some unfortunately had - always played great until it met Maggie      Maybe $125 shipped (continental US)?  I haven't really looked it over thoroughly, but I am unusually kind to my equipment, typically (non-smoking home, too)

It's sitting in it's original box looking for a home....I have the F10 now driving my Maggies (splendidly, I might add).  PM me if interested.