The Jadis JS2 converter is now entering its fourth generation, with the Jadis JS2 MKIV, proof of its appeal within the range, of the interest it arouses among its public, and of the validity of its genesis. In short, a well-born device that continues its career unperturbed. And this latest version seems to further widen the gap with its predecessors. The new features of the MkIV version mainly include updated digital circuitry with an optimized analog tube section and power supply. Full review below…
The more time goes by, the more the JS2 learns from its predecessor, the JS1, and imperceptibly moves closer to it. Admittedly, it remains fiercely single-chassis, which must be the first line of its specifications. Don’t be fooled by the vintage look of this converter’s case, as the non-magnetic stainless steel housing and double-sided printed circuit boards with wide copper tracks guarantee low noise and isolation from external interference.
The Southern manufacturer’s graphic charter is still in evidence, with a sublimely mirror-polished case. A front counter-plate, securely fastened with six stainless steel BTR screws, houses the silk-screen printing and control elements. A small on/off rocker on the left and a rotary selector on the right provide the essential controls. Four powerful LEDs provide information on power-up, operational status, decoding frequency and file format (PCM/DSD).
The hood is comfortably perforated to let the excess heat generated by the copious tube assembly escape. A word of advice: don’t put anything on top of this unit.
On the rear panel, space is generous, and connectivity is nicely laid out so that even when you’re using gargantuan cords, nothing will get in the way. From left to right, you’ll find the IEC receptacle for the power cord, unbalanced analog outputs on RCA connectors and balanced analog outputs on XLR connectors, then four digital inputs: USB type B, AES/EBU on XLR and S/PDIF on RCA and Toslink.
The interior offers a rigorous, elegant layout. And that’s quite an achievement, because the cabinet is as full as an egg!
The Jadis JS2 MkIV’s digital circuitry has been totally redesigned and coupled with an optimized Amanero USB digital interface, enabling input rates of up to 24 bits/384 kHz, and ensuring compatibility with a wide range of high-resolution music files, including DSD.
The actual conversion is performed by a pair of latest-generation AKM 4497 chips arranged for symmetrical processing, a technique previously tried out in the JS1. The use of a separate AKM 4497 chip for each channel completely eliminates crosstalk between channels, resulting in superior digital noise suppression.
Another feature of the Jadis JS2 MKIV is the implementation of huge analog output filters using multi-link capacitors to filter and smooth the digital output conversion. This provides optimum phase. Finally, each of the six sections of the digital part receives its own secondary power regulation, mounted directly on the PCB.
Considerable space inside the non-magnetic stainless steel chassis is devoted to the peripheral circuitry of the complementary discrete-mode analog stage. This is implemented on a high-current, double-sided phenolic PCB with copper tracks 70 μm thick. These custom-made printed circuits rival the point-to-point air-wiring that is the Carcassonne-based brand’s great specialty.
The JS2’s analog circuit has also been completely revised to provide full channel separation, using both sides of the ECC82/12AU7 double triode for each channel.
From a purely analog point of view, this fully symmetrical tube stage consists of an amplifier and a cathode follower capable of accepting any load. The reflection is identical to that of the DAC’s double chip; this avoids any crosstalk interference and allows the JS2 MkIV to drive any preamplifier effortlessly, with balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) outputs.
The power supply uses a massive EI core transformer and Schaffner mains filtering with four primary power stages: two digital and two analog.
The set up
Like all good converters, the Jadis JS2 MkIV requires long warm-up times to deliver mature performance. However, thanks to the tube output stage, this time is shorter than on a 100% transistor machine. On the other hand, tubes are sometimes prone to the microphonic effect, so you’ll need to choose a very stable stand to avoid this little inconvenience. But your Jadis dealer will be able to tell you what to do. We made our usual cable selection, and found the JS2 MkIV to be very forgiving when it came to cords. Every brand we use tends to favor a particular balance, but in this case, it’s more a matter of taste than anything else. We’ll leave the selection to you.
The sound
Even at very low output levels, the Jadis magic works perfectly. Melodic lines are extraordinarily well defined and reproduced. Listening to them has a singing quality not often found on this kind of product. There’s a very “obvious”, intuitive side to it. The general mood of the reproduction is very relaxed. At times, you almost get the impression that the modulation is slower than usual. That’s not quite what’s happening; in fact, it’s simply because time seems to flow more slowly, through a greater density of sound. This materiality imposes a new temporality. Don’t worry, your 62 minutes and 15 seconds record will be reproduced in the allotted time. However, your experience of this duration will be different. There’s a total absence of stress in the sound offered by the JS2 MkIV, a kind of obviousness in letting yourself be carried along, offering yourself to the present moment. Your senses are undeniably much more stimulated. This is due to the quality of the timbres reproduced by the JS2 MkIV, which are charming and full, but also to the quality of the sonic relief.
The stereophonic image is very different from what a fully transistorized machine can offer. The holographic effect is not a utopia in this case, but an eminently palpable reality. It’s astonishing how the listener has the sensation of being able to touch the different sound components that make up the musical message. The individualization of all sources is the key to understanding the magic of the Carcassonne builder. When a performer moves in the sound field, you’ll immediately identify them. Generally speaking, everything that moves, everything that comes and everything that goes in the musical moment is easily perceptible. In terms of atmospheric reproduction, the Jadis JS2 MkIV fears no one. It has to be said that the tube output stage does a magnificent job of putting the musicians’ evolutions and the scenic construction of each track into perspective. A wealth of information is present in the sound field. At times, this information bursts forth in rather unusual ways. But perhaps this is simply because we didn’t perceive their presence as acutely with other machines. For if the Jadis JS2 MkIV can boast one quality above all others, it would be that of being a facilitator, so much so that with it, perception of the musical message seems innate and so much more comfortable than usual. In this sense, it considerably enhances the notion of naturalness.
Our conclusion
Here’s a marvelous machine for reproducing music, all music, without reservation. The Jadis JS2 MkIV is without doubt one of the most elegant digital sources we’ve ever heard. With it, different streams never sound the same. They all acquire their unique status through a reproduction that is astonishingly embodied, very natural, particularly well realized in terms of sonic relief – in short, incredibly alive. If you’ve had enough of your various listening sessions and feel it’s time to try something new, take the time to listen to a Jadis JS2 MkIV in the right conditions. You’ll be struck by the relevance of this machine, by its absolutely unique ability to transport you to the place where the music was born with a force of conviction quite uncommon. It’s always a magical experience to spend several days with a Jadis. You can’t stay insensible to its charms…
Author: Laurent Thorin
Technical sheet: JADIS JS2 MKIV
- Origin: France
- Price: €8,500
- Dimensions: 455 x 125 x 325 mm
- Weight: 13 kg
- Inputs:
- SPDIF on RCA connector PCM 24 bits/192 kHz
- AES/EBU on XLR connector PCM: 24 bits/192 kHz
- SPDIF on Toslink connector PCM: 24 bit/192 kHz
- USB type B PCM: 24 bits/192 kHz DSD: 24 bits/384 kHz
- Digital compatibility:
PCM 24/192 (S/PDIF RCA and AES/EBU), PCM 24/384 (USB)
