Jadis Preamps JPS8, JPS2 and JP80

I never heard of the JPS8. The JPS2 is pretty much a line stage version of the JP80MC full function preamp, which has an excellent phono stage. I'm not sure about recent production of these two units, but I did notice that the JPS2 at least at some point had an additional tube that was used in connection with the CD input circuitry--my JP80 never had that, nor does my JP200, but my old JPL line stage had that extra tube in the CD input circuit as well. I think it was intended to tame the sound of digital. I personally avoided it, as it also degrades the signal--the best input on the JPL was the tape in. Otherwise, expect the line stage of the JP80 to be the same sonically as the JPS2 (assuming you use the same tubes in each, of course).

I don't know about the other Jadis but I have a chance to listen to a Jadis JP80MC in person....This is a wonderful tube pre-amp if you have the $$$. It has the ability to play music like music and human vocal likes human vocal...not electronic sound which were produced by so many so-called hi-end pre-amp.

This is one pre-amp that you can keep for life.

Edle's description captures what these pieces are all about. Had the chance for the 80's big brother, the 200, not presented itself after over a decade owning the JP80, I'd still own that unit. I don't expect to replace the 200 till it can no longer be serviced, even though it takes up four spaces in my front-end racks.

Hey RC, do you notice a large differance between the 80 and the 200 or is the 200 just suttley better? I know when I went from JA 30s to JA 200s I was floored. The 200s never run out of steam. Of course that doesn't matter with preamps. Didn't I also see somewhere that you replaces your JA 80s with Lamms?

The difference between the JP200 and the JP80 is in part a sense of ease--it never hints at being strained by anything I throw at it, and macro-dynamics are handled as well as the micro-dynamics. It DOES make a difference with preamps. Otherwise, it is hard to compare the two in my case, because my JP200 was a special version which initially was thought to be the successor mk II version, using EF86 tubes rather than 12AX7s in the gain stages. The EF86 is cleaner sounding at low volumes than the 12AX7s, which needed some volume before they sounded their best, IMO. Otherwise, the two are comparable, the 200 is just that little bit more real.

Did finally sell my 80s. The Jadis were wonderful to listen to, but definitely colored and rolled in the highs (fat in the bass too, but not a concern for me as I bi-amp). The Lamms are far more neutral than the Jadis, but still manage to get the midrange and natural dynamics right like the Jadis, and Lamm equipment (in my case, the LP2 and the ML 1.1s) seems to work very synergistically with the Jadis preamp. Interesting that two pieces of equipment so diametrically opposed in their design philosophy (Jadis was desined in large part through listening, Lamm strictly by measurements) can both get it right. More than one way to skin the proverbial cat.