JVC RX-F10, 4 ohm loads, and Me

Stereodude · « **on:** 18 Oct 2004, 10:44 pm »

I've read through all the threads here on the JVC FX-F10 and see people list off a lot of different speakers they're using with the JVCs, but I'm not that familiar with a lot of those speakers.

Has anyone used one of these JVC units to drive a 4 ohm load? If so what were the results? I want to bi-amp a pair of DIY speakers I'm making that will likely have 2 8 ohm midwoofers in parallel (4 ohm load).

I'm told the JVC has the best sonics when using the analog inputs which is what I need since I'll be using a Behringer Ultradrive Pro DCX2496.

My other hope is the Sherwood/Newcastle 6.1 digital unit. It appears to have a 6.1 input (in the pictures) which would allow me to split the midwoofers signal and use 4 amps for them and 2 amps for the tweeters, but being Sherwood/Newcastle I'm sure it will be much harder to find and a lot more expensive, and the sonics are an unknown.

gary · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 12:36 am »

I'm driving Onix Ref 1's with my JVC RX-F10S and it does amazingly well. I'd say it puts the other two integrated amps I've had to shame (Cayin TA-30 and Onix A-120). I'm pretty sure the Ref's are 4 Ohm speakers.

Gary

Stereodude · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 12:58 am »

You're right. They are a 4 ohm load.

You better not post that part about the A-120 on the AV123 Forum.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 01:54 am »

That Cayin's supposed to be a hunny too

I think I really am stuck with my JVC until I save up a couple grand

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 02:40 am »

Stereodude,

If you look thru the posts on the JVC RX-ES1sl (maybe even JVC F10) in Digital and MultiChannel Circle you'll find some eloquent prose from -Richard-

He uses his JVC on Magnepans...either MG12 or 1.6's as I remember it. Both hungry for hi current and, maximally, a 4 ohm load with these. The little JVC can belt it out with much higher priced rivals.

gary · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 02:53 am »

Quote from: ooheadsoo

That Cayin's supposed to be a hunny too I think I really am stuck with my JVC until I save up a couple grand

Yeah, it is. The JVC is just at another level, as hard as that may be for some to believe. Personally I haven't heard anything for less than a couple grand that could competes with the JVC (I wouldn't hesitate to put it up against the more expensive tube amps I've heard, including Quads, Carys, and (gasp) megabuck AudioNotes).

Gary

Stereodude · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 03:00 am »

You guys are talking me into this thing...

Keep it up.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 03:12 am »

How efficient are those onix ref 1's? That's probably the one catch that the JVC has, at least according to some strange off the cuff tests I did.

Stereodude · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 11:25 am »

Quote from: ooheadsoo

How efficient are those onix ref 1's? That's probably the one catch that the JVC has, at least according to some strange off the cuff tests I did.

88dB according to the manufacturer.

Dmason · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Oct 2004, 02:04 pm »

I totally agree with Panda/Gary.

Last week a friend brought over his new Cayin TA30, gleaned from Audiogon. Beautiful build, good EL34 sound. Then we hooked up my JVC SA-X1, the little all-in-one, with the digital hybrid amp a la F10, but 30 watts, so equal to the task of the Cayin. There we both saw how superior the JVC was in all respects, making the Cayin sound flaccid, and just plain slow and weak in the bass when we put it back into the mix.

When Gary compares the JVC to Uber tube amps, he is not sniffing glue. Most tube amps only wish they could handle the tougher, lower register signal the way the JVC does.

My friend was so bewildered and dismayed that his new gem got stomped on by the $150 JVC, whose tuner and CDP sound pretty darn good as well, that I let him take it home with him to A-B with his own stuff, so that he could make the decision to sell the Cayin, get his money back, get a JVC, and get on with it. So if you still have your heart set on a Cayin 30, keep an eye on Audiogon, as I am sure that amp will be showing up soon!

Stereodude · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Oct 2004, 04:17 am »

Cool, I'll have to order one of these up when I get all the drivers in for my speakers and my active crossover in.

RoadTripper · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Oct 2004, 05:01 am »

Hey DMason and others, isn't there some genre of music where the tube Cayin or similar types of amps, may best the JVC? I have been totally satisfied with my JVC/Omega Grande 8R for at least 10 weeks now. But I may stick back in the Norh SE-9 soon to see a true comparison.

I am pretty sure the Norh will beat the JVC on my Jamie Laredo Violin Encores CD from Dorian Records. As I recall, the Norh delivered an unbelievably human palpability that the JVC hasn't matched at all, as much as I like the JVC for just about everything else.

gary · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Oct 2004, 01:28 pm »

Quote from: Seminarian

Hey DMason and others, isn't there some genre of music where the tube Cayin or similar types of amps, may best the JVC? I have been totally satisfied with my JVC/Omega Grande 8R for at least 10 weeks now. But I may stick back in the Norh SE-9 soon to see a true comparison.

I am pretty sure the Norh will beat the JVC on my Jamie Laredo Violin Encores CD from Dorian Records. As I recall, the Norh delivered an unbelievably human palpability that the JVC hasn't matched at all, as much as I like the JVC for just about everything else.

Yeah, I think that's possible. When I A/B'd the two, at first I was listening to one of my reference Leo Kottke tracks from his album Peculiaroso. I can't remember which one it was, but it was basically just a guitar with no vocals or accompanying instruments. I preferred the Cayin, and was afraid that since I'd already sold it I might have made a bad decision. However, once I compared the two with some other tracks on the same cd, tracks where there were vocals, drums and a bass, the JVC really stood head and shoulders above the Cayin. Low bass on the Cayin just sounded mushy in comparison, there was micro detail with the JVC that just wasn't there on the Cayin, and the JVC had an amazing ability to place each insrument definitely in its own space with a realism that was almost scary. Switching back to the Cayin this sensation disappeared.

So, I definitely understand how a tube amp could give you a certain "human palpability" (nice term by the way) that something like the JVC may not deliver to the same degree. I do think think the JVC's gotten better at this in time though, with break in and tweaks like damping the enclosure and soldering a better power cord in place. It'd be nice to have the Cayin again to go back and compare the two now that I've spent a bunch of time with the JVC.

Gary

Dmason · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Oct 2004, 11:58 pm »

I think there will always be things one type of equipment will excel at, over another. Tube amps also do wonderful things with atmospheric synth scapes, solo acoustic instruments, with that lit-from-within vibe, but all in all, the JVC is just in another realm altogether, especially, as Gary/Panda mentions, once you give it some help with the usual tweaks de rigeur to digital amps.

I was actually hoping that I liked the Cayin moreso, just because I have a longtime emotional connection to the damn things, going back a looooong way, but, alas, all the above, plus the practicality factor, --->like no bright red flares of tubes shorting out, stopping all listening until it can be replaced, and as P/G says, the JVC's ability to place a stage as solid as a rock, suspending it in thin air, is an artifact of the unreal speaker control digital amps exhibit, unlike ANY other amp type, nothing comes close. With the big Fostex F200A, the effect is almost like holosonic projection, it is so good. We didnt get this with the Cayin.

The Fostex-JVC combination is just a sick short cut to fantastic music making, without all the B.S. Add super-alloy magnets and a fast sub, and you are really cooking.

Zero · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Oct 2004, 12:13 am »

Stereodude,

I was bi-amping a pair of 4 ohm speakers without any issues using the JVC Rx-10. The unit seemed to have no problem with this configuration.

This JVC is definately a nice unit for what it is.

Stereodude · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Oct 2004, 08:44 pm »

I gave in and bought one from J&R last night.

I'll let you know what I think of it as soon as I get it.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Oct 2004, 11:09 pm »

Stereodude,

None of us want you to let us know your thoughts when you FIRST get it...we know it stinks. It's the revelation at 100 hours, then 300 hours that cracks us JVC-istas up with the newbies.

So, turn it on, tune it in, and wait 4 days....a smile may break beforehand dependent on what you've owned before, but it's sure to be there after 12 days straight or so.

Stereodude · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 12:36 am »

I even have a brand new pair of speakers arriving tomorrow that I can try it on. Too bad the JVC won't be here until early next week.