Description: tubed, two-chassis. 24-bit, D/A converter. Tube complement: two ECC82 and two ECC88 in the analog section and one each EL84 and EF86 in the power supply. Inputs: one each AES3, S/PDIF electrical (RCA), S/PDIF optical (TosLink), USB. AES3, coaxial, and TosLink inputs convert data up to 24/192; USB accepts and converts data up to 24/384, plus DSD. Outputs: One pair unbalanced (RCA), one pair balanced (XLR). The JS1 MkV is fully balanced through the XLR outputs. S/N ratio: >100dB. Frequency range: 20Hz–20kHz. Output level: 2.5V RMS.
Dimensions: Each chassis is 18" (455mm) W × 5" (125mm) H × 12.8" (325mm) D. Weight: 66.1lb (30kg).
Finish: Silver and gold.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 694. Manufactured in France.
Price: $20,900. Approximate number of US dealers: 20. Warranty: 2 years excluding tubes.
Manufacturer: Jadis Electronics, 5 Chemin du Pech, 11800 Villedubert, France. Tel: +33(4)68-786330. Web: jadis-electronics.com. US distributor: Bluebird Music Limited. 1100 Military Trail Kenmore, New York 14217. Tel: (416)638-8207. Web: bluebirdmusic.com.
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COMMENTS
"where the Jadis left me wanting slightly more is detail."
For a $21k dac, the output impedance today is pathetically high and variable over the frequency range, and the bandwidth also way too rolled off -2db at 18khz already.
Great 20 years ago, but not for today.
Cheers George
Given that 21-bit resolution is now fairly common -- and you can get 21-bit resolution, combined with really excellent sound with the $700 Topping D90SE DAC for example -- it seems the solution would be for Jadis to up their game a little bit, digitally speaking. Put a 21-bit capable DAC in front of those tubes. Why only 18 or 19 bit?
Why not simply run a solid state DAC through an excellent tube preamp? That's what I do, and the results are very enjoyable.
Hi
This Jadis DAC already got a built-in tube preamp, delivering over 2.5Vrms enough to drive directly any power amps to their rated output power.
So nooo need any external tube preamp, pal.
Jack L
But you may still want a volume control
Hi
My "alternative" way is even much much more simple - go without any premp virtually.
My solid state 24bit192KHz DAC hooked up to my tube linestage (switched to PASSIVE bypass mode) electrically drives directly my tube power amps since day one a couple years back.
The music videos I stream always sound soooo DETAILLED, transparent & 3-D & sooo punchy powerful that the volume control never needs to turn beyond the midway.
As I always maintain: less electronics in the signal path, better will be the sound.
Listening is believing
Jack L
I can imagine how great your setup must sound, Jack. You're definitely onto a winner there.
I should clarify that my (solid state 24/96 Luxman) DAC is also hooked up to a tube linestage (EAR Yoshino), albeit one which feeds a Class A solid state power amp. At any rate, the sound this produces strikes an excellent balance between detail/resolution and transparency/musicality. To replace my DAC and tube linestage with this all-in-one Jadis would cost me 10 times what I paid for my gear, but I very much doubt it would sound 10 times better.
Thanks for the excellent review. I have not heard the Jadis, but it seems you've gotten at it's true character, with both plusses and minuses. Or maybe they're aren't plusses and minuses to all, but a better way for each reader to understand whether it's the right DAC for their ears
The way this review is written gives the reader a very clear idea of what he'd be getting with this product, for better or worse. The review uses language that is mostly confined to audio terms -- soundstage, insight, detail, color, etc. It doesn't confuse the issue with terms like "proletarian" that tend to obscure (sometimes one might think intentionally) what's actually going on, and doesn't lavish endless praise and expressions of wonder on the product (which has sometimes been done with products that end up in Stereophile Class B). Clear, straightforward, informative. Bravo.
"To the presumably clean output of the AKM4497EQ DAC chip, it adds low-order harmonic distortion and a random noise floor that increases in level at low frequencies. In other words: tube sound"
I think audiophilia needs a "tube screamer" for solid state systems to add low-order harmonic distortion and a random noise floor.
It needs to have at least one tube, but that might just be for show. The actual sonic affect could be done with DSP. Or go full on modeling and let the customer pick which classic tube sound you want to emulate.
I think audiophilia needs a "transistor blender" for tube systems to add odd-order harmonic distortion and intermodulate music through the built-in random tone bleacher.
If it has at least one transistor the sonic affect will be inherent and guaranteed. Or go full on assumption-mode and let the customer pick based on having not actually heard great audio gear from across the ranges.
Hi
Well, if designed properly an anode follower beats any cathode followers in term of phase reversion, total harmonic distortion & gain control (over unity) using the NFB loop, PSRR, & consistency due to tube ageing.
If Jadis designers would copy Aikido linestage design : anode follower (1/2 ECC833) + cathode follower (1/2 ECC82) as output tube, the too low load impedance should not be an issue, IMO.
Jack L
It's a little weird that throughout the text of this entire review, there is NO mention of the Stereophile Jadis DAC review from March 1995, p.101: Jonathan Scull auditions the Jadis JS1 Symmetrical D/A processor & J1 Drive CD transport.
I don't think that review has been websited yet ???? It LOOKS exactly like this "new" model on the exterior .
That 1995 review is here:
https://www.gammaelectronics.xyz/stereoph_3-1995_Jadis_digital.html
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