So I've been away a few months, and come back to find that in the interim a lottery has been run for VFET amp kits. To say I was a little miffed would be something of an understatement. So, I decided that rather than getting mad, I'd get even. Say hello to my little friend. Should play those Eikonas that Colin is shipping from the UK with aplomb.
Yes, the Victor JM-S7. 110W per channel of VFETish goodness, straight out of 1975. It cost me an arm, a leg and a testicle but it's all worth it I tell you.
Yes, the Victor JM-S7. 110W per channel of VFETish goodness, straight out of 1975. It cost me an arm, a leg and a testicle but it's all worth it I tell you.
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When new, the Victor JM-S7 sold for JPY 230,000 and they're not all that much cheaper today. Heck, I've built 100W/ch amps for less than I paid for the 100V stepdown transformer. I sure hope it was worth it.
Beautifully crafted device as often with older Japanese gear. Isn't it more handy/elegant to replace the 450VA 100V toroid for a 500VA 240V one (I take the device will be going nowhere from now)? And what about the 1975 electrolytic caps? 46 years is a long time for caps.
Just checked/repaired a seventies Japanese instrument. No one bothered to make things cheap but all attention went to the best technical solution. Very nice metal work too, all sections shielded. The caps were so so. When I started this hobby I got my parts and cases by recycling abandoned or excess equipment, very often Japanese. I only now realize now WHY I go into great lengths with metal work, rigidity, quality and never for cheap.
Just checked/repaired a seventies Japanese instrument. No one bothered to make things cheap but all attention went to the best technical solution. Very nice metal work too, all sections shielded. The caps were so so. When I started this hobby I got my parts and cases by recycling abandoned or excess equipment, very often Japanese. I only now realize now WHY I go into great lengths with metal work, rigidity, quality and never for cheap.
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Hi Jean-Paul,
Yes, I will investigate changing the toroid. After all, if I ever need to sell it (very unlikely) I can always supply the original one with it. The main power caps are usually fine, but I will be listening carefully to find any problems inside the boards. But the current owner, who lives in Adelaide, had his tech look over the amplifier about two years ago for problems and it has hardly been used since, so I don't foresee anything being wrong with it.
Rob
Yes, I will investigate changing the toroid. After all, if I ever need to sell it (very unlikely) I can always supply the original one with it. The main power caps are usually fine, but I will be listening carefully to find any problems inside the boards. But the current owner, who lives in Adelaide, had his tech look over the amplifier about two years ago for problems and it has hardly been used since, so I don't foresee anything being wrong with it.
Rob
It is a beast. It is the holy grail of VFET amps, Unobtainium to the power X.
Now I have to wait a whole week for delivery. :-(
"Now I have to wait a whole week for delivery. :-("
Not off Ebay I hope, people are finding bricks turning up instead of goods !
I got a lump of wood instead of an amplifier.
Not off Ebay I hope, people are finding bricks turning up instead of goods !
I got a lump of wood instead of an amplifier.
I have one of these and I can tell you that it's well worth the weight ... I mean wait. It sounds absolutely superb!
Mine is missing the side handles so it doesn't look quite as nice as yours but then it only cost me a big toe which was perfect because my wife already owns my testicles. 😀
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I know where that seller is - I've been to their place in the past and not had any drama. They've been vacuuming up vintage audio and turning it over for some time now.
Looks like a very nice piece of gear! Good luck with it!
Ah, I knew there had to be at least one more on this board someplace. And yes, they are heavy, judging by the $75.00 shipping charge.
At present I'm using a 70's vintage NAD 3020 in unmolested condition, but it doesn't have enough grunt for my liking. I'm expecting to be shocked, especially since this will be the first VFET amplifier I've ever heard.
Yeah, he does have a lot of stuff for sale, I'm guessing he's a licenced secondhand dealer. Thanks for the well-wishes.
"They don't make them like that any more. Can't get the wood, you know." - Goon Show, and possibly Derek & Clive.
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