Munich HiEnd 2023

We are delighted to have been back at the Munich HiEnd show in Atrium E 220 with Definitive Audio and Bemax Audio.

The system featured SJS Model 3 phono, the new Model 4 linestage pre and Model 5 power amplifiers, with Kuzma XL air and Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3 turntables and showcasing the new Living Voice R80 loudspeakers. 

"The rest of the Living Voice system was quite impressive as well–both Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio analog rigs, SJS amplification with Living Voice and Takatsuki 300Bs, all gathered together in one place to play records. Perhaps that’s why the Living Voice rooms are always so rewarding–there’s always something about this system that radiates a purpose, a feeling that this system was fine tuned toward perfection over decades and not just a few hurried weeks before the show.

The Living Voice R80 loudspeakers truly energized that large and beautiful space, yet still managed to sound light and airy and detailed at the same time. This was another room that was constantly packed throughout the show, and for good reason. Sometimes I forget how special these British loudspeakers are, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s visit in this memorable room."

Part Time Audiophile

"Teamed here with the top-tier SJS electronics (including the new line-stage with curved wooden casing to match what must be the prettiest tube power amp on the market) and the latest (greatest) turntables from Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio, the sound was as bold and engaging as it was effortlessly involving. Kevin Scott’s range of distinctly non-audiophile discs kept things interesting and this room was permanently packed – probably not helped by the comfy bucket seating which, along with the astonishingly entertaining musical performance encouraged the audience to take root. You want the hot-seat? Be prepared to wait – wait some more – and then fight for it…"

Gy8

"this is a pretty serious system but not the most expensive at the event by a long way, yet it provided highly engaging sounds as well as the broadest selection of music with everything from Shostakovich to Scientist dubbing Culture. The system proves that 9 Watts is all you need if the quality is high enough."

The Ear

"The music sounded correct right away, as nothing stood out and everything was well-balanced and natural. String instruments and voices sounded gorgeous, and I found it very easy to concentrate on the music. I could easily hear the family resemblance with the VOX Olympian, one of the best horn systems on the market..........for people looking for that elusive emotional connection with music and not just sound effects, these speakers will give you more than a taste of their vastly more expensive horn offerings."

PSaudio blog

SJS Arcadia Model 8 SE 300B Power Amplifier

This SJS Arcadia Model 8 amplifier is our new single ended 300B stereo amplifier. It has been introduced to sonically and visually complement the Model 6 phono amplifier, Model 7 line stage pre-amplifier and Model 9 step up transformers.

The Model 8 is based on the same circuit design and layout as the Model 5, with NOS Sylvania  7N7 valves used as the input and driver stage, and 300B output valves. Internal components include carbon film resistors and Duelund pure copper foil coupling capacitors.

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
• Aluminium anodised chassis and steel transformer covers
• Soundcare SuperSpike feet
• Very low noise for use with high efficiency loudspeakers

Technical Specifications

Input Impedance	100 kOhm
Input Sensitivity	400 mV for full output
Power Output	8W per channel
Frequency Response	+/-3dB 8 Hz-35 KHz
Valve Compliment	2 x 7N7 2 x 300B 1 x 5U4GB
Max. Power Consumption	250 Watts
Unit Weight	30 kg
Shipping Weight	49 kg (Original Packaging: Customised flight case)
Unit Dimensions	300mm (h) x 450mm (w) x 400mm (d)
Shipping Dimensions	400mm (h) x 545mm (w) x 500mm (d)
	(Original Packaging: Customised flight case)

Delivered with black panels, black anodised aluminium panels and black 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.

Audio Show Deluxe 2023

After a long winter in the bunker developing new designs, and honing existing ones, it was nice to spend an early spring weekend at Audio Show Deluxe with Definitive Audio and Living Voice.

SJS Model 3 Premier phono, Model 7 Silver Premier line stage and Model 5 Silver Enhanced 300B power amplifiers were partnered with Kuzma and Grand Prix Audio turntables, and showcasing the new Living Voice R80 loudspeakers. 

It was also the first outing for the new Model 8 single ended 300B power amplifier, shown here with natural front panel and antique silver cover, and in the background all in black.

"Kevin Scott used Shostakovich’s terrifying Baba Yaga to hold the audience entranced thanks to a system consisting of Gran Prix Monaco direct drive turntable, Kuzma Safir-9 arm and cartridge and SJS Acoustics amplification. This system turned what can be very challenging music into an immersive experience."

The Ear

It was excellent to see so many familiar faces, including customers old and new. Hopefully we can meet up again in 2024.

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.