SJS Arcadia Model 5 Premier

Nanocrystalline magnetic cores, such as Hitachi FINEMET, exhibit very high permeability, low power loss, high saturation, very low hysteresis levels up to high frequencies,  and provide a very special musical experience.

This SJS Arcadia Model 5 Premier amplifier is hot off the bench, and the first to have both triple C-core nanocrystal output transformers and a pair of power supply chokes.

The Premier version of the Model 5 has replaced the 6SN7 input & driver stage with NOS Sylvania  7N7 valves, which are equivalent to 6SN7 but in a Loctal soctet. It also comes with very special Duelund CAST DC silver foil coupling and bypass capacitors, and Audio Note AN-V silver litz input cable, and features the new solid surface non-magnetic transformer covers.

In common with other SJS Arcadia amplifiers it has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfills SJS Electroacoustics primary design criteria:

• Single Ended circuit topology
• Pure Class A operation
• Zero negative feedback
• Valve rectification and choke smoothed HT power supply
• Custom made HT T-network power supply capacitors with silver leads
• Separate mains transformers for HT and filament supplies
• Point-to-point circuit wiring without PCBs
• Star-earth & star-supply wiring
• Hand built
• Real solid wooden frame
• 4mm aluminium panels, black or natural anodized
• Soundcare SuperSpike feet
• Very low noise for use with high efficiency loudspeakers

This Premier version includes:

• Nanocrystalline triple core output transformers
• Nanocrystalline power supply chokes
• Duelund CAST DC Silver foil coupling capacitors
• Duelund CAST DC Silver foil bypass capacitors
• Tantalum film resistors
• Pure silver wire for all point to point connections
• Non-magnetic solid surface transformer covers

Delivered with solid walnut frame, black anodised aluminium panels and the dark grey transformer covers can be heard on demonstration at Definitive Audio in Nottingham alongside the rest of the SJS Arcadia range of amplifiers with Living Voice loudspeakers.

North West Audio Show 2022

Last weekend we were mainly ......... music making in Cheshire.

At the North West Audio Show at Cranage Hall with Definitive Audio.

We presented a scaled down version of the system used at Munich HiEnd, with 

• Kuzma turntable, arm and cartridge, 
• Consolidated Audio MC step up transformer, 
• Living Voice OBX-RW4 loudspeakers,
• SJS Model 3 phono, Model 7 line and Model 5 300b power amp. 

After the show we received some very nice comments:

"This is in another league altogether and having listened to it at the show I can't recommend it enough truly mind blowing in detail and everything else, if it is possible to be sitting with the musicians then this is it."
Paul Bradshaw

"This was used to stun visitors with the uncompromising creations of Messrs Shostakovich, Pärt, Cage et al. The system’s ability to deliver substantial, not to say difficult, orchestral pieces in a convincing fashion was truly remarkable."
The Ear

"Best sounding room at show for me was the Living voice/sjs amplifiers with Kuzma turntable. Could have listened for hours in that room."
StevieD

"as I passed later in the show, this set-up was making a remarkable presentation of some complex orchestral work, especially considering the room size."
StereoNet

Munich HiEnd 2022

After an absence of two years we are back at the Munich HiEnd show in Atrium E 220 with Definitive Audio and Bemax Audio. 

 

SJS Model 3 phono, Model 7 line and Model 5 power amplifiers with Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio turntables and showcasing the fourth generation Auditorium OBX-RW4 from Living Voice loudspeakers. 

Gratifyingly, several initial reports listed ours as being one of the best-sounding rooms at the event.

"In a way, the room was the opposite of every other at the show. There was no attempt to ‘out hi-fi’ other rooms. Rather than the focus being all about the sound, it was all about the music. This was a system to melt your heart because there was nothing getting in the way–sonically speaking–of that happening. Yet this wasn’t one of those systems where musicality comes at the expense of sonic performance. Rather, one got the feeling that all the music was there–and that nothing was missing from the sound, either."

The Absolute Sound

"Living Voice was running the latest Auditorium OBX RW4 compact floor-standers. Those expecting to see (and hear) the Vox speakers were beguiled by sound that was both delightful and extremely engaging and, while the Kuzma R/Safir and Grand Prix Monaco/4Point14 front-ends (with CAR-60 and CAR-50 cartridges respectively) were obviously playing their part, don’t overlook the contribution of the SJS electronics."

Roy Gregory via Gy8

"Possibly taking my crown as the most favourite among favourites was the room with Living Voice loudspeakers supported by SJS electronics and Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio analogue sources."

SoundStage! Australia (10 Favourite Exhibits)

"This is the kind of system that, once installed in your home, would deliver a lifetime of musical pleasure, leaving you to concentrate solely on exploring music."

Ultra Audio

"This was a truly memorable room three years ago, and it was equally memorable in 2022."

Part-Time Audiophile

"With Mari Samuelsen’s rendition of ‘Violin Concerto (Second Movement)’ by Philip Glass the system was heartbreaking, I ordered the vinyl there and then but getting it to sound this good at home will be a challenge."

EnjoyTheMusic

"When a system is ‘just right’ like this it’s difficult to tear yourself away, and the Living Voice system was a real treat to listen to. The scale of the music playing defied the relatively small size of the LV loudspeakers and the dynamics on offer were incredible."

HiFi Pig

"Living Voice took a break from the magnificent horn systems it usually demonstrates to reveal the capabilities of the rather more approachable OBX-RW4 floorstanders. These sounded superb with Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio turntables allied to SJS tube amplification…"

The Ear

"The sound of the show so far… There’s something quite special about the OBX-RW4 speaker when used with the other equipment on display in this room."

SoundStage! Australia

Model 7 Premier Silver

SJS Model 7 Premier Silver linestage preamplifier takes its bow at Munich HiEnd this week with Living Voice and Bemax Audio.

This special version of the Model 7 is built in a copper chassis and features silver foil coupling capacitors, silver wound output chokes, and pure silver wire for all signal and power supply links. 

Using single ended 6111 triodes, and a valve rectifier with choke input power supply, the Model 7 engages with the musical performance.

It's the System, Stupid.....

Roy Gregory’s new publishing venture (gy8.eu), and his views on why reviewing complete systems makes more sense than hopefully slotting in components more or less at random. 

Three systems to start with, and look – one them’s ours, well our amplifiers, with loudspeakers from Living Voice, SUT from Definitive Audio, plus turntable, arm and cartridge from Kuzma apparently I have an "almost OCD attention to detail", who knew?

The complete article can be read here:
https://gy8.eu/review/kuzma-sjs-and-living-voice/3/

SJS Arcadia Model 6 MM RIAA phono amplifier

SJS Electroacoustics are pleased to present the new Model 6 MM RIAA phono amplifier.

The Model 6 has been designed to complement the Model 7 line pre-amplifier. 

The Arcadia Model 6 mm riaa phono amplifier is based upon the 5744 NOS military valve, and has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical specification, and fulfils all SJS Electroacoustics primary design criteria:

• Single Ended circuit topology
• Pure Class A operation
• Zero negative feedback
• Valve rectification and choke-input HT power supply
• Custom made HT T-network power supply capacitors with silver leads
• Point-to-point circuit wiring without PCBs
• Hand built
• PTFE board for component mounting
• High quality components throughout
• Custom made aluminium chassis 

Bespoke customisation of the internal components is possible to meet our clients' specific requirements, whether it is replacement of the Duelund copper foil JDM capacitors or possibly using Tantalum film resistors, for example, these can be discussed at the point of ordering.

Each amplifier comes with 2 years parts a labour warranty, except for the valves which have a 6 month warranty.

SJS Arcadia amplifiers are available from Definitive Audio in Nottingham