We’ll I’m fresh off a two week trial of the JC5 (really like it), previously had dual mono Cambridge 851w’s and the JC5 was a jump up in detail, depth, width and microdynamics. Can’t say anything bad about, actually is an amazing amp.
Wanted to run bi-amped dual mono JC5’s in hopes of greater sound stage separation and any other audible benefits (as with my 851’s) and at their price (10k) said "what the hell" and now have the JC1+’s set up.
I’ve only had a chance to listen to 20 minutes of music, and broke down the JC5, so I can’t jump back and forth. What I’m noticing right out of the gates is the deep detail the JC1+’s give in there class A operation. Just so much depth and texture brought out that I seriously never picked up on, or maybe more easily pick up on now.
However the power of the JC1+’s is kinda throwing me a curve. My speakers are 103" (L) and 112" (R) from my listening chair, and had with the JC5 my R/L balance set to 2db favoring the right speaker. Sounded fantastic and had great center imaging. The JC1+ has my left channel speaker really jumping out and overly favoring the closer speaker. I didn’t even touch my speakers while setting up the JC1+’s, but way over powering left channel now. I listen at a 0db balance and really like what I hear (minus the left speaker dominance), but when I dial over the balance to a more neutral sound now at 4db favoring the right speaker, I feel the overall sound feels restrained and not as vibrant overall as it was in a 0db.
I just need some more sit down time to really flesh it out more.
Innuous Zenith3+Phoenix USB, Musetec MH-DA005, Technics SU-R1000, JC1+'s, JBL L100 75's, Dual KEF 12b subs