JVC F10 receiver continues to improve - big time!

Bobcat · « **on:** 26 Apr 2005, 02:12 pm »

This is just a short follow up to my earlier posting regarding my praise for the JVC F10 receiver.

I just recently crossed over the magic 300 hour barrier. I have been listening at very low volumes late at night for the most part. Then, last evening, I cranked the volume just a bit, and....WOW...Norah Jones never sounded so real, strings being plucked more lucid and palpable. Extremely black background with terrific bass performance. No weaknesses other than cheap spring clip speaker terminals. I am in total amazement at how great is this little wonder! Only $229 delivered in 2 days from J&R.

I do not miss my previous Denon 3805, ASL 1003DT, Jolida 1500rc, Audio Refinement Alpha Complete, Luxman 3050, Zen 84C, Rotel 721...all of which have been in my sytem during the past 3 years.

Should you wait for the new JVC incarnations? I can't say...except I might be concerned that later versions may be compromised for whatever reason. This honey of an amp is simply unbelievable. YOU NEED ONE NOW!

My continuing thanks to Chairguy for providing the impetus for me to acquire this jewel. Are there any other users out there either supporting or holding a different perspective?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 03:54 pm »

Hey Bob,

Did you ever get a power conditioner for it?

Few things please me more than helping an audiophool out of overpriced audio hell

I still shake me head in disbelief that the little wonder uses copper screws throughout...it didn't cost JVC much more over steel ones, but some engineer was thinking about sonics somewhere in Japan in developing this receiver.

I don't think anyone has been displeased with the JVC, but a few have moved on to other things over time. I think the general consensus is that there are better amplification devices out there, but you'll have to spend a lot of time, and far more money, finding them.

I'm still keeping my eye open for other improvements, but it's hard for me to see betterment without spending a lot more $. With California housing costs being what they are, I relish the opportunity to save a little somewhere.

Jack Gilvey · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 06:11 pm »

Wow...I'll be near J&R tomorrow...may be worth a stop.

Horizons · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 06:35 pm »

I continue to listen in amazement to the little JVC wonder. It really is a giant killer.

I have wondered myself about the newer, more powerful JVC units though. The only thing I can fault the JVC unit for would be lack of power/headroom. I would also worry that the new JVC units won't sound as good as the F10.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 07:23 pm »

Jack, why buy at J & R? You'll pay NYC sales tax....it's free shipping to New Jersey without the tax.

Yep, Horizons, I agree on all....it could use a teensy more power on my Maggies, too.

Jack Gilvey · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 08:07 pm »

Yes, good point, sir...

Bobcat · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Apr 2005, 03:18 pm »

Hi John!

Good to hear from you! No...I haven't purchased a power conditioner for two reasons.
1) There seems to be as many detractors as there are proponents for the use of power conditioners.
2) My wife spent the money that was set aside on a new bed!

What can I say? "The best laid plans aften go astray!"

Best regards!
Bob

Bobcat · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Apr 2005, 03:48 pm »

Quote from: Bobcat

Hi John!

Good to hear from you! No...I haven't purchased a power conditioner for two reasons.
1) There seems to be as many detractors as there are proponents for the use of power conditioners.
2) My wife spent the money that was set aside on a new bed!

What can I say? "The best laid plans aften go astray!"

Best regards!
Bob[/quote

By the way, I have 2 pair of Infinity Alpha 20's (retail $400 pr) that I could trade someone for a good power conditioner such as Blue Circle. The 20's use composite ceramic/metal cones that are very stiff and as such do not distort like other materials. These Infinitys are built in Denmark! I have a pair of IL30's with the same technology that were manufactured in Mexico. The Danes have a very high level of fit and finish and are like new, purchased new within a year.

alexs · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 May 2005, 03:09 am »

I am debating whether to get the JVC F10 or the new Panasonic Xr55. My speakers are 86db 6 ohms, and the receiver will be mainly used mainly for HT and like to hear at high volume. Any recommendation between this two?

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 May 2005, 05:40 am »

Can't help you decide between these two, but my 4 ohm, 89 db B&Ws don't match well with the F10. There's just not enough current going to the speakers for mine to sound good. They're missing much of the lower midrange and upper bass; there's no decent punch or slam, and strings and vocals are missing some richness.

I tried bi-amping using the surround channels to get more juice out of it, but something was off about how it sounded. I think it had a tiny bit of time delay between the two sets of channels that I couldn't get rid of, or else my speakers do not sound as good bi-amped even though they are capable of it.

Despite this, I'm keeping the F10. From the middle of the frequency spectrum on up it's great, regardless of price. I can live with the lack of bass for now rather than buy an amp that costs five times the F10 (and I still might not get that same great upper midrange and treble that the F10 has).

alexs · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 May 2005, 01:08 pm »

Thanks for the reply JohnnyLightOn. I have read all I could find about these digital amps. Contrary to your post, most describe the base as being tight, fast, articulate with good punch or slam. These are the words they have used to describe the base. Some have also driving difficult to drive speakers such as Maggies and none have reported as the F10 being inadequate in the power department. Ears has mentioned that the F10 did shut down at -30 volume in HT though and hence his preference of the Panasonic for home theater. I find your post very helpful. It seems like I need more input form owners of these amps who have used it in HT environment with all types of movies.

Dmason · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 May 2005, 02:14 pm »

There are three people including myself that use its predecessor, RX-ES1 to light up Jordan JX92S systems. Mine is the 84db Jordan/AC ribbon T/L by GM, (thanks again GM) It is a match made in heaven. This tells me the JVC is up to synergizing with one of the very, very, best high resolution wide range drivers in the world. The treble is so nice on the JVC, using an aluminum ribbon tweeter just pushes it over the top. For a small, superior music system, you couldnt do much better. Creative Sound has the drivers and crossovers in a reasonably priced kit. The Cabinet design can be found on the Jordan website. What a combo!!

If I still used AC in my main room, I would be using the JVC. Use clean power, it can get about as good as you need an amp to be, without spending multiples of thousands of dollars. JVC hybrid digital + Power Conditioning = Sonic Bliss Forget the arguments about power conditioning, it is ESSENTIAL with "digital" amps. Otherwise, you are not hearing the JVC's full potential. Couch Dude will no doubt agree.

fabaudio · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 May 2005, 02:36 pm »

Quote from: alexs

I am debating whether to get the JVC F10 or the new Panasonic Xr55. My speakers are 86db 6 ohms, and the receiver will be mainly used mainly for HT and like to hear at high volume. Any recommendation between this two?

I suggest that you purchase any item/s from a reputable dealer with a liberal return policy so you can test them in your own environment.

fabaudio · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 May 2005, 02:45 pm »

Quote from: Horizons

I continue to listen in amazement to the little JVC wonder. It really is a giant killer.

I have wondered myself about the newer, more powerful JVC units though. The only thing I can fault the JVC unit for would be lack of power/headroom. I would also worry that the new JVC units won't sound as good as the F10.

I too continue to be amazed and it improves with age. The 201/301's have been out for a while and yet no one has come forth with their views.

alexs · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 May 2005, 02:57 pm »

[/quote]
I suggest that you purchase any item/s from a reputable dealer with a liberal return policy so you can test them in your own environment.[/quote]

Well, the problem is the Panasonic SA XR55 is not out yet and I can get the JVC now for a good price through a friend of mine who is an employee at JVC, but I can not return the JVC if I don't like it. Even though I have not heard these amps, form what I have read I think I will like the sound of the JVC better than the Panny. However I will be using the digital connection so I don't know if the JVC is equal to the Panny when using optical or coax. Has anybody experienced a shutdown issue when listening at high volumes??

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 May 2005, 05:37 pm »

Quote from: Dmason

If I still used AC in my main room, I would be using the JVC. Use clean power, it can get about as good as you need an amp to be, without spending multiples of thousands of dollars. JVC hybrid digital + Power Conditioning = Sonic Bliss Forget the arguments about power conditioning, it is ESSENTIAL with "digital" amps. Otherwise, you are not hearing the JVC's full potential. Couch Dude will no doubt agree

Agreed 101% on that one

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 May 2005, 05:43 pm »

The F10, tho rated at 100 watts, acts like a brawny 40 watter.

If you're room is not cavernous, your speakers not 81 db sensitive and your shits and giggles come from less-then-ear splitting volumes...the JVC is a charmer of first order for the price. That's most of us, fortunately.

The JVC sounds vastly better on the Maggies than previous Vandy's in here....I never tire from listening to the music it produces. The upper registers on every other amplification I've ever used (surely, not world class by any means) limited my fun. It really does wonders with ribbons, as the good doctor mentions.

It only gets better with high quality AC power conditioning.

tex-amp · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 May 2005, 03:16 am »

This thread reminds me of how subjective audio is to the individual. I dropped the JVC for an Audio Refinement Complete Alpha and feel as though it is miles ahead of the F10.

Dmason · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 May 2005, 04:22 am »

Tex Amp,

Interesting anecdote. The AR Complete was the only, ONLY sand amp I heard that I truly enjoyed. Those have a wonderful sound. They deserve their rep., and I could be sort of happy stuck with one. A great choice!

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 May 2005, 04:25 am »

Quote from: TheChairGuy

The F10, tho rated at 100 watts, acts like a brawny 40 watter....

Unfortunately, this is my problem. My B&Ws are rated at 50-200 watts, and I believe the specs. They need lots of power. Like I said though, the upper-mids and the highs make it worth it for me right now.