Class-D Perfection
$8,995 -$9,495 (end dependent)
Spoiler alert. The Java Integrated is a Class D amplifier. Just in case you’re predisposed to a sure concept of how Class D is meant to sound, that you must abandon it, or cease studying. To be truthful to Java’s Martin Bell, I’ve all the time been Class D antagonistic, however I hold investigating. I didn’t like espresso till I used to be 50, after which someday all of it clicked. Ironically, this amplifier is known as the Java. Weird.
Taking benefit of the newest GaN-FET energy amplifier module know-how, the Java rewrites the ebook on no matter diploma of harshness you’ve related to Class D designs. Remember how terrible digital audio used to sound? 20 years’ price of improvement and it sounded fairly darn good. If you’ll be able to consider this in the identical vein, it is smart.
Cursory break in with a pair of classic ESS AMT-1b audio system instantly feels completely different in an ear perking approach. The classic AMTs are cruel with amplification that’s even the slightest bit harsh, so it is a nice torture check. Passing this check with ease, transferring on to the primary system with the brand new YG Acoustics Cairn audio system in for overview is equally attention-grabbing – the Cairns should not overly vibrant in supply, however extremely resolving. Again, any frequency response or tonal anomalies can be immediately revealed. This is a implausible mixture.
Smooth, easy, easy. Smooth and tonally appropriate in a approach that if nobody informed you this was a Class D amplifier, You wouldn’t ask the query. Trying a number of extra units of audio system readily available vaporizes any lingering animosity in the direction of this type of amplification. Past expertise with Class D all the time displays extra speaker sensitivity than regular, very like an SET tube amplifier. The result’s often sensible or terrible. The Java suffers none of those points.
Working by way of all the pieces readily available from classic Acoustat ESLs (which resulting from their overly capacitive nature are powerful to drive for most amplifiers) to the present Peak Consult Sinfonas which can be my essential reference is a breeze. Where the Peak’s are barely forgiving in the identical approach that the outgoing Sonus faber Stradiveris have been, the YGs and the Team Fink Kims are each extremely resolving but stay a stunning match. If you like listening approach, approach right into a recording, it is a rewarding mixture
A sonic and stylistic choice
I submit now we have lots of people on the market wanting a high-performance music system, significantly extra involving than a soundbar answer, greater than keen to pay for it that don’t need to change into audiophiles. That’s to not say that an audiophile can’t love the Java, however being that it’s considerably improve antagonistic and self-contained it might not attraction to people who always need to tweak issues. Of course you possibly can plug a unique phonostage or DAC in, but it surely defeats the first function.
The onboard MM phonostage delivers glorious outcomes with the Technics SL-1200G (that includes an Ortofon Concorde Silver cartridge) and the Linn LP-12 desk (with Adikt cartridge) in for overview. Again, simply as not all music lovers change into audiophiles, not all music lovers that purchase a turntable buy 1000’s of albums both. We’ve definitely come throughout quite a few finish customers which have 50-200 albums and are completely pleased with that. For the random vinyl fanatic, this can be greater than you ever have to take pleasure in your assortment.
Adding the Quadratic MC-1 step-up transformer to the MM enter, profiting from the not too long ago reviewed Luxman LMC-5 and Rega Apheta 3 MC cartridges proves simply how good the onboard phono is, so extra obsessed vinylistas can nonetheless play on this sandbox with out concern. The noise flooring is ultra-low, and the sense of area introduced massive. The onboard phono within the Java is definitely the equal of something you would possibly discover within the $800-$1,200 vary and keep in mind, no further cables! Considering what you’d spend on 4 units of mains cables and interconnects for a preamp, DAC, phonostage and energy amplifier, the Java is nearly free.
The onboard 24/192 DAC using a pair of Burr-Brown PCM1794As in mono mode, with DSD being transformed to PCM earlier than playback delivers equally engaging outcomes with digital recordsdata. Your favourite streamer, or laptop computer may be linked by way of USB. Keeping in with the final vibe of this amplifier, the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 (about $800) makes the Java a simple Roon endpoint. You may also stream from a pill or telephone by way of aptX Bluetooth.
Thanks to eight completely different finishes, the Java will combine into any décor with ease. The excessive gloss and satin matt circumstances are solely $8,995, with the 5 luxurious wooden veneer choices (like our beautiful overview pattern) deliver the worth as much as $9,495. The Java you need is just a few clicks away due to the web configurator.
Thanks to Class D amplification, the Java solely weighs 27 kilos, and provides a compact distant. Everything is CNC machined to perfection, and it seems like a way more costly product. The enter selector and quantity controls each characteristic a backlit show, making them very simple to learn.
In addition to the USB digital enter, there’s the MM phono enter talked about earlier, and two line-level RCA inputs. A variable preamplifier output (additionally RCA) is on the market for these wanting so as to add a powered subwoofer to the combination and a ¼-inch headphone jack on the entrance panel. Integrating with a REL Carbon Special sub and the YGs was simple as pie to configure.
As it goes with all the pieces else, the headphone amplifier ought to hold you cheerful should you’ve bought a pair of $200 – $1,000 headphones, however similar to that document assortment, I think the particular person shopping for a Java goes to make the identical dedication to headphones as they’re vinyl. Find a pleasant pair of $400 – $600 cans and luxuriate in. Trying a number of various things from Audeze, Sendy, and Focal all went with no hitch.
The closing frontier
While I haven’t had the power to listen to each Class D amplifier on the market, of what I’ve heard, one other commonality is their incapacity to attain a impartial tonal steadiness. Voices all the time sounded considerably digital and grainy, as did stringed devices. Depending on the mannequin of amplifier, this was higher or worse, however within the case of the Java, tonal steadiness, texture and shading is good.
Whether listening to violins, piano, or acoustic guitar, there’s a sense of rightness that enables your mind to disengage from evaluation and fall into the music. I’m positive you could have your favourite solo vocal tracks to research this with, however I lean in the direction of Rickie Lee Jones, Aimee Mann, and Johnny Cash, merely as a result of I’m intimately aware of them.
Purposely heading for probably the most tough tracks I do know when it comes to musical complexity, pushing the Java, there was by no means a torture check this amplifier failed. Even monitoring by way of a better quantity of classical music than regular, delivered implausible (i.e. fatigue-free) outcomes. No matter what sort of music you like, the Java will fulfill you. However, should you actually love digital/techno music, the excessive energy, and rock-solid bass management the Java delivers could be very spectacular. The opening monitor in Peace Orchestra’s self-titled album, “The Man, Pt.1” is just huge in its supply by way of the YGs. There’s a lot extension and sheer grip right here, these small stand mount audio system sound like floorstanders. Ditto for Theivery Corporation’s The Richest Man in Babylon. For these of you that love traditional rock. Rush’s epic 2112 was extremely satisfying by way of the Java and the massive Peak Consult audio system. Admittedly, listening ranges did exceed 90dB right here!
The Java built-in amplifiers come as a single shot mannequin, with 200 Watts per channel on faucet, or the double shot mannequin, with twice as a lot energy. As a lot of my listening is completed in a 78-90dB setting, and most of my audio system are pretty delicate, the only shot amplifier was by no means remotely near being maxed out. If you could have comparatively energy hungry (like perhaps some Magnepans) audio system, you might need to pony up an additional $4,000 for the double shot mannequin.
Sheer brilliance in each approach
This amplifier is a large success on each degree. It seems implausible, sounds implausible, and has a balanced quantity of efficiency in each side. The amplifier is much and away probably the most pure we’ve heard from this topology, and the performance is good. Should you be searching for an ideal two channel music system anchor, I can’t counsel the Java extremely sufficient. Adding a desk, pair of audio system, telephones and a few equally nice cable (we used Tellurium Q Black II interconnects, speaker cables and energy wire to glorious impact with this amplifier) and be all in for $15,000 – $25,000. You can’t even purchase a CPO Mini Cooper S for that type of cash.
The Java will win over two essential customers to make certain. The music lover missing audiophile ambitions, and the audiophile eager to get off the improve marathon. (or maybe downsizing) But anybody who hears it can take pleasure in it tremendously. The Java is a straightforward candidate for one in every of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2023.
Put this one within the love column.
Original article: The Java Single Shot Integrated Amplifier
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