Late 80s amp porn

[Mikeandvan]

Recently got this JVC beastie from Conan off PFM, AX Z 1010. Just thought I'd post this pic here for lovers of Jap porn, sorry Jap amp porn. Sounding pretty nice with some Kenny Burrell on CD. Haven't tried the phono stage yet as my TTs are all in flux at the moment, but hope to get the 401 up and running tomorrow.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49184487258_14f643d2e8.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hWgmv1)jvc ax z (https://flic.kr/p/2hWgmv1) by Mike Van (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145505522@N02/), on Flickr

[AJSki2fly]

Recently got this JVC beastie from Conan off PFM, AX Z 1010. Just thought I'd post this pic here for lovers of Jap porn, sorry Jap amp porn. Sounding pretty nice with some Kenny Burrell on CD. Haven't tried the phono stage yet as my TTs are all in flux at the moment, but hope to get the 401 up and running tomorrow.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49184487258_14f643d2e8.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hWgmv1)jvc ax z (https://flic.kr/p/2hWgmv1) by Mike Van (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145505522@N02/), on Flickr

I think that they are considered pretty respectable amps, with lots of power handling capability, should sound lovely.

[walpurgis]

Looks nice.

The phono stage should be decent if it's anything like the one on my JVC AX-A441 integrated, which sounds ridiculously good even on MC.

[Mikeandvan]

Thought I'd try an integrated, 1 box is better than 5, even though its a bit gigantic. Luckily its in lovely condition, and the seller did an amazing job of packing it.

[YNWaN]

Is this the same model as the one my friend Andrew is so keen on? I’m afraid, despite hearing it a number of times, it’s special qualities remain something of a mystery to me (does look cool though).

Edit: Oh yes, a quick Google confirms this is the very ‘giant killer’ Andrew has so effectively eulogised about :).

[RobbieGong]

Nice !

[Mikeandvan]

Is this the same model as the one my friend Andrew is so keen on? I’m afraid, despite hearing it a number of times, it’s special qualities remain something of a mystery to me (does look cool though).

Edit: Oh yes, a quick Google confirms this is the very ‘giant killer’ Andrew has so effectively eulogised about :).

Yes indeed, a giant, giant killer.

[YNWaN]

Hmm.... indeeed. Alternatively, it might just sound like a whole bunch of Japanese amps produced at the time...

[Beobloke]

Hmm.... indeeed. Alternatively, it might just sound like a whole bunch of Japanese amps produced at the time...


But that wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, most of the Japanese high end models of the era were very good.

[oldius]

But that wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, most of the Japanese high end models of the era were very good.

Correct, we were just informed otherwise.

[YNWaN]

But that wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, most of the Japanese high end models of the era were very good.

I thought they were okay - I wouldn’t say ‘very good’; they were very cerebral, all about the filigree detail and subtle nuance (like a Dynavector Ruby, or Diamond cartridges). I preferred the UK amps of the time (still do) that we’re more about the musics gestalt.

[Mikeandvan]

Hmm.... indeeed. Alternatively, it might just sound like a whole bunch of Japanese amps produced at the time...

Well you'd need to listen to a good few of them to find that out, it doesn't sound like you have! Do you still use a Nac 72 set up? I used to buy Naim but got tired of the power supplies and din leads. I'm trying a lot of new kit at the minute including valves, so keeping an open mind, I'd like to hear a Nait 1 as well sometime!

[YNWaN]

I’ve actually listened to many, many of them* - though mostly back then (Denon, Rotel, Technics etc.). The JVC is one that I have revisited more recently, though my thoughts where much the same on second introductions. In fact I was strongly reminded of what I liked, and didn’t like, about Japanese amps of the time (I ran a dealership at the time and listened daily to a broad range of British and Japanese gear).

I still use a mixture of Naim and non-Naim amplification, though much of the Naim is now non-standard. Odd connecting leads and power supplies (both hardly unique to Naim) hold no fear for me and my overall system is about as far from being a ‘one box solution’ as it’s likely to get (nine boxes of amplification and that doesn’t even include a DAC). So I guess it’s fair to say that convenience isn’t high on my priority list.

A friend still uses a Nait 1, a lovely sounding thing as long as you don’t ask too much in terms of volume (it’s only 12wpc).

* I don’t know why you would presume I hadn’t - or do you mean you don’t like my opinion? In fact I’ve not only auditioned many Japanese amps of that time, I’ve even auditioned various models within a manufacturers range!

[YNWaN]

Anyway, enjoy your new purchase - perhaps it will light your fire as it has for my friend.

[Mikeandvan]

I’ve actually listened to many, many of them* - though mostly back then (Denon, Rotel, Technics etc.). The JVC is one that I have revisited more recently, though my thoughts where much the same on second introductions. In fact I was strongly reminded of what I liked, and didn’t like, about Japanese amps of the time (I ran a dealership at the time and listened daily to a broad range of British and Japanese gear).

I still use a mixture of Naim and non-Naim amplification, though much of the Naim is now non-standard. Odd connecting leads and power supplies (both hardly unique to Naim) hold no fear for me and my overall system is about as far from being a ‘one box solution’ as it’s likely to get (nine boxes of amplification and that doesn’t even include a DAC). So I guess it’s fair to say that convenience isn’t high on my priority list.

A friend still uses a Nait 1, a lovely sounding thing as long as you don’t ask too much in terms of volume (it’s only 12wpc).

* I don’t know why you would presume I hadn’t - or do you mean you don’t like my opinion? In fact I’ve not only auditioned many Japanese amps of that time, I’ve even auditioned various models within a manufacturers range!

I took you for one of the 'Jap crap' brigade! Most of whom never got to even hear any Jap gear I would imagine if my memory of 90s British Hifi mags are correct. Of course I don't dislike anyone's opinion when it comes to hifi, its hardly political, though I know some folk get heated about cables. As I said I'm trying a lot of different stuff at the minute, so I haven't settled on what I really like as yet, don't have the luxury of two listening rooms, so will have to decide on one system, not so easy. I should make the effort to attend bake offs perhaps. I would like to end up with a suitable integrated, I really don't get the pre and power thing, if that includes a phono stage even better.

[YNWaN]

I’m not anti Japanese gear at all - I do use Yamaha speakers after all! A lot of the really good Japanese gear never made it to the UK though and we got rather ‘watered down’ versions (IMO).

—————

If you want to teach yourself about differing amp sound I think you are absolutely on the right track. The JVC is a great example of its type, the Nait 1* is a quite different (but equally good idea). Depending on what valve gear you try that will also give another, quite different**, presentation (oddly, some may think, I suspect you will find it closer to the Nait than to the JVC).

* Rather a cult thing these days so prices are very strong - at least you won’t lose money selling it on (assuming you do).

** Of all three amp types you mention, when it comes to valves there are valves and then there are valves (if you know what I mean) - there is a whole raft of different sound signatures just under this banner.

[Lawrence001]

I used to like Hifi World's articles on the Japanese Hifi cm scene in the 90s I think David Price was a big fan, and Noel Keyword as well. Most of the stuff they talked about was only sold in the homeland

[Mikeandvan]

I’m not anti Japanese gear at all - I do use Yamaha speakers after all! A lot of the really good Japanese gear never made it to the UK though and we got rather ‘watered down’ versions (IMO).

—————

If you want to teach yourself about differing amp sound I think you are absolutely on the right track. The JVC is a great example of its type, the Nait 1* is a quite different (but equally good idea). Depending on what valve gear you try that will also give another, quite different**, presentation (oddly, some may think, I suspect you will find it closer to the Nait than to the JVC).

* Rather a cult thing these days so prices are very strong - at least you won’t lose money selling it on (assuming you do).

** Of all three amp types you mention, when it comes to valves there are valves and then there are valves (if you know what I mean) - there is a whole raft of different sound signatures just under this banner.

Of course, the NS 1000s? I do wonder how my old Naim 72/140 set up would sound to me now, funny isn't it, how amps such as Naim seem to a non expert like me anyway to have so little inside them, yet they manage to compete with monsters from the Japanese manufacturers.