[mcgsxr]

I know that many folks will be entirely disinterested in this little product, for a variety of reasons, but for those of you looking for a simple, small, socially acceptable unit that combines tuner, cd, pre, and amp, AND uses the JVC Hybrid Digital Feedback amplifier technology... this one is for you!

I received the JVC EX A1 two days ago, and have been running it in since.  On first look, it is a pretty little thing, and uses some interesting technology to boot.  The wood cone speakers are nice to look at, but I have not even bothered with them... I bought this thing because it interests me, especially the prospect of having it modded to address the initial downfalls.

This unit shares the technology with the ES-1, and F-10 receivers, and the "executive" units FS-X1, FS-X3, and FS-X5.  This one though, according to the marketing jargon, is their statement piece for this amplifier technology, and has some attention to detail in construction, that some audiophiles might notice - separate power supply, shielded amplifier section, copper screws - essentially like an ES version, to refer to Sony for a moment.

Now, it is not a powerhouse by any means, and manages only 30wpc.  It does have a sub out, and can read DVD-A, and play DVD's through S Video and component video, for those interested.

I have plugged this unit into my main system in the basement, that is based around the open baffle Visaton b200 DIY speakers I have been playing with for a couple of months now.  Those of you who have read the long thread over in the Red Wine Audio Circle, will be familiar with this setup, and the rest of you might take a look!  Basically, I find the combination of open baffle, with single driver (wide range driver I would say, not a true FULL range driver for those of you that are keen on the distinction) to be very alluring for a variety of reasons, but have struggled with the bass response of this setup.  FYI, bass is a tough spot for OB speakers.

I have tried the Bolder Teac, the JVC ES-1 (I sold it to my best friend who let me borrow it back for a couple of nights last week), the lightly modded Vinnie Teac (not his DC version, just a breezy PS upgraded version that still drinks from the grid), the JVC FS-X1, a Red Wine Audio modded Sharp SD-EX111, and now this unit.  Up until this unit, all suffered from bass that did not do it for me.  They each varied in how well they mated to the b200's for mids and highs, but the bass was always lacking.

I was attracted to the EX A1, based on my somewhat positive experience with the FS-X1 mini unit.  That little guy has the same tech, and same power, but also has a loudness button, and individually adjustable bass and treble.  When using the FS-X1, I employed the loudness, and boosted the bass up to around +2 also.  It sounded good, but not great.  Could be that the onboard cd player sucks vs my Nakamichi/Monarchy DIP/Bolder Mensa... but it could also be that this version of the tech, truly is a cheap version, and the EX A1 might prove better...

I researched everything I could about the EX A1, but choked on the retail price of CAN$899 (roughly US$675) locally.  I heard it at Sears, and was not sure I liked what I heard, but figured that the wood cone speakers, and the store environment might not be doing the unit full justice.  Then I saw it on eBay for US$191.  Tax in, shipped, and with exchange, I paid about 30% of retail, and figure I did well, nearly regardless of the sound - if it did not live up to my standards for the main system, I thought I would use it for a living room system with WAF for once!

Sorry Michelle, I doubt this unit will see action outside of my basement domain!

Right out of the box, this unit surprised me with the richness of the sound.  Flat, no +/- bass or treble, no loudness, no sub out, just the unit plugged into a Powervar conditioner (Felicia to follow...) and plugged into my Visatons, the sound is full.  Bass hits nicely right down to the theoretical 80-90Hz limit of my implementation, and rolls off such that I envision subwoofer integration to be simple enough.  The mids are good, but the treble is well, troubling.

Then I recalled my experience with other digital amps, and realized that I am probably 300 hours from the best this baby can do stock.  So, I am running it in 24/7, using the tuner to blast interchannel static while I am at work, and music while I am at home.

Once it settles down, I will report back on how it sounds, and then take a look at what mods might do to improve that sound.  The cheddar binding posts are first on my list - they are posts (ie better than the bare wire spring loaders) but they are of the odd type that cannot accept spades.

I am having to run my Bolder M-80 speaker cables backwards, with the Eichmann Bayonets on the amp end, and the spades at the speaker end.

I also look forward to trying it with the Nakamichi/Monarchy/Mensa front end, since it has RCA AUX inputs.

I will have to try it with some conventional speakers too, to get a sense of how it might be the perfect solution to those who need a normal, small unit for use in rooms other than dedicated listening environments.  It could work wonders with the FR125 single drivers, or the KIT41 from DIY Cable/CSS for example.

More to come,

[Feisal K]

sweet.

apparently the speaker cone wood is marinated in Sake. did u take a lick?

[mcgsxr]

I suppose that is better than the suggestion that I go suck on it!  

Here is a link to some of their marketing hype, for those interested to have a look at the unit, and see some of the development history that Feisal K is alluding to.

http://www.jvc.com/presentations/exa1/

[Feisal K]

I suppose that is better than the suggestion that I go suck on it!  
http://www.jvc.com/presentations/exa1/

LMAO!! never..

I think $191 is a steal .. it is SG700+ here last I saw

how is it sounding?

[mcgsxr]

Well that translates into around CDN$577 or so, so it is a little cheaper retail for you, but for the USD$225 I paid, including shipping, and taxes, and import fees etc, it is good.

It only has around 100 hours on it so far, and seems to slowly be losing the edge in the treble.  

As I recall, both the ES-1, and F10 JVC receivers that shared this amplifier technology were both much improved after around 300 hours of constant run in.  The stock Teac took around 150 hours, and the Bolder modded Teac took 700!

I am letting the tuner run 24/7, and go down to listen once or twice a day, to see how it is coming.  I was just down there folding some laundry, and watching my 19 month old daughter dance to Sarah McLaughlin.

I will reserve any futher comment, until it reaches that 300 hour mark, and see what it is like then.

I have not had time to try my front end on it either, so I have yet to determine if it is the amp section, or the cd player that is holding the treble back.

More to come,

[-Richard-]

Hi Mark,

Your investigation into the JVC EX A1 could prove to be very timely
for me...I am looking for a Tuner for my B200 OB's to play with my
tube pentode integrated SE amp...perhaps the digital JVC with
Tuner might be a perfect solution...

Can the built-in tuner be used without engaging the amp?

I have been lamenting the demise of my JVC F10 ever since it died...
however its tuner section was quite poor...it had great difficulty pulling
in stations and the sound was...well...uninspired...

Have you had a chance to play the built-in tuner of your JVC EX A1?

If so what do you think?

I am very very interested in your thoughts and insights about the
performance of the JVC EX A1.

Thanks for your help. Always very interesting to read your posts.

Warm regards -Richard-

[KT]

That's a really cool website they have. Makes me want to get one.

Keep us updated about the sound quality. It's a really unique and one-of-a-kind little system. Looks great and really classy. Terrific if the sound is up to snuff. Maybe a cult classic at some point.

KT

[doug s.]

any info on the amps' sampling rate?  no info on the jvc website...

doug s.

[mcgsxr]

Interesting Q doug s, I see nothing in any of the owner's manual pages, nor the marketing collaterals I have found, nor anywhere on the 'net.

All I do know, is that it is the same tech as the receivers out there with the JVC digital stamp.

[Feisal K]

could it be that its one of those analog-controlled PWM amplifiers that do not involve a ADC (or am I talking out of my arse here? )

[mcgsxr]

Richard - there is no preamp output on this unit, and no tape output either - just a digital output that I assume (dangerous I know...) is only related to the cd player within the unit.

As such, I would not think that this is the best/most cost effective way to pursue a tuner for your system.

I have only been using the tuner for interchannel static to break the unit in, so I cannot yet comment on the ability of the stock unit to bring in a signal - also, as it is buried in my basement, it is not like I can give it a fair shake either.

Sorry to not be able to help more, I have been really busy of late, preparing for the move in about 2 weeks, so most of the time I am able to listen, it is either while doing something else, or just collapsing into the chair for 20 minutes at the end of the day.

If I get a chance to test it out on the main floor, either here, or the new place, I will let you know.

[-Richard-]

Hi Mark,

Very kind of you to respond...of course your move will be challenging
and demanding...having moved recently myself I  know only too well
how difficult it really is...

Whenever you get around to it I would be very interested to hear your
thoughts and insights...

I am just as interested in the digital amp aspect of the new JVC as the
tuner...since Deb listens to music on the audio system during the day
while she works on the computer (my room is somewhat farther away)
it would be nice if she could use a remote to lower the sound of the
tuner in order to receive telephone calls and so on...

May I wish you a very successful move...hope everything falls into place
nicely for you...and do watch out for overextending yourself...get plenty
of rest...

Warm regards -Richard-

[mcgsxr]

For those interested, here is my update on how this unit is burning in.

I let it run 335 hours (14 long days) on interstation static at low to medium volume in the basement, dropping in for listening for an hour or so, every 2 or 3 days.  During this process, the treble has smoothed out considerably.  To the point where I actually thought during a Thelonious Monk cd, I have never heard this cd before.  Now, it is a new cd, so I actually had only ever listened to the recording on the JVC, as new, and then again this AM.

Much improved sound, increased resolution and smoothness at the same time.  In the first track, I can far more clearly hear the room ambience, and reverb.  Good stuff.

I sat and listened to Bob Marley this morning, and could not leave until it finished... ended up 15 minutes late for work (which in my world means I was only 15 minutes early!) but it was a great sound.

I should also note that during that time, I pushed the Visatons very close to full blast for 1/2 a song, just for kicks.  Those speakers can really COOK at volume, and the little amp strives to keep up!

I have decided to keep the unit, and have contacted Vinnie about possible mods.  To that end, I have purchased the manual for it, and have forwarded that over to him.  In time (I do understand that he is up to his ears in all the other stuff he does) he will let me know what he thinks, based on the schematics, and I will send this little guy over to him.

I expect the mods to include improvement to the binding posts, and I am sure there are other areas that Vinnie's magic wand, err soldering iron, will upgrade.

I promise I will try this unit with my front end, but not for another 2 weeks or so, after the move to the new house.  I will also report back on how it sounds on the Felicia, when that arrives.  I expect really good things, based on TheChairGuy's experiences with JVC and balanced power, and some other experiences from people I know with digital amps and balanced power.

[ryno]

Hi Mark
I'll be interested in hearing how it sounds with your front end. If the trans/DAC in the JVC is a liability, I'll keep/maybe mod my teac. If the built in player is pretty good, I might have to try it. Remote, tuner, headphone jack, all in a small package is hard to ignore.
Thanks , Ryan

[-Richard-]

Hi Mark,

Terrific overview as always...your descriptions are consistently intelligent
and sober...I deeply appreciate your careful attention and willingness to
share your observations with us...

I am really looking forward to your further exploration into the JVC's
possibilities...the audio level of the CD player and tuner would be
of great interest to me as well...stay well and the greatest good
luck in your move...

Thanks again and warm regards -Richard-

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Mark,

I just emailed you about mods...looks like there is definitely potential for improvement in that JVC.  I reminds me of the Sharp EX111, but with the extra DVD circuitry, and as expected, a SMPS...

[KT]

Hi Mark,

I just purchased one of these based on your positive remarks. Got a killer deal on it, just as you did. Brand spanking new, too!

You mentioned you purchased a manual for it. Is this the service manual, or are you talking about the instruction manual that comes with it?

I'm using it with the little wood cone speaker since I'm just using it to listen to the computer. Plus there's something about that wood cone that I find intriguing.

It's showing a lot of promise, though I know what you mean about the treble - it's a little rough right now. Also, the bass is boomy in the corner shelf location I put it in.

When everything smooths out, though, I can see how it will be a really musical little system. So far it only has 20 minutes on it, so there's a little ways to go, yet. I'll keep you updated.

Cheers,
KT

[mcgsxr]

I bought the schematic, and service manual, so that Vinnie could take a drive through it - PM me your email address, and I will shoot it over to you, if you want to have a look at the exploded diagrams etc.

Glad you like the start, give it some time, it gets quite decent.

Still excited to hear this on the Felicia, but that is still a little time from now.

[Panelhead]

Got a new one delivered for 245.00 to Houston. I like it. Only listened to the local NPR station so far. The sound is a long way from perfect, but it looks real nice.
  The bass is boomy. Did not expect any bass from the 3 /12 driver. It is in a built in cabinet above the TV. This is my new HT setup. The hk AVR 25II, HD841, and Sony speaks are in the closet.
  Going to let it play DVD's, CD's, and TV for a while. Then upstairs to the big system. It should be fine.
  For those interested, I used both the single wire supplied, and a flat dipole for FM. The single wire is better in this application. The FM reception is fine. This is on top of a big tube TV, with a cable box under it. There is plenty flying around to screw with reception. The single wire was less sensitive than the dipole to this crap.
  Those single wire fm antennas are not bad. Got one with my Teac CD-8. It picks up fine in a tall building with lots of shielding. Cell phones barely work in my office, the Teac pegs out on signal strength.
  If you do not mind, shoot  a copy of the schematic or circuit diagrams.  Got to have something in there I can swap out. How about a big BG on the SMPS. This never hurts.

                         George

[dave_c]

In case any A1 owners get the upgrade bug. . .wood cone tweeters are available!

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Home+Audio_Mini,+Hi-Fi+Systems/product/JVC-Victor_EX-A5_DVD,Tuner_System.html