The most beautiful Integrated Tube amp?

Tweekerman, the photo above by Bwhite IS the Jadis Orchestra.

You are thinking of the Orchestra Reference. The Reference features the KT90 tubes(in place of 6CA7/EL34), transformer covers, 24K gold over brass knobs and fascia(in place of gold colored plastic), and bass/treble controls.

The Orchestra Reference basically occupies the position between the Orchestra and the DA30. The DA30 is similar to the DA60 pictured in the same post by Bwhite, but with 4 KT90 tubes, vs the DA60's 8.

Differences between the DA30 and Orchestra Reference are the DA30 features an active preamplifier section(in place of passive) w/tape monitor, tube standby, autobias, no tone controls, no transformer covers, and the gold toned fascia/knobs(in place of 24K gold over brass).

I find both the DA30 and Orchestra Reference to be superlative audio products, some of THE best I have ever come across. To me, the Orchestra Reference was the one to buy. Reasons being value, cosmetics, and tone controls. I cannot say which is really better sonically. They are a bit different. Which made the $2000 price difference factor big time into the equation.

i can't find the potential of the jadis reference at the moment because of lack of quality digital , speakers,and cables..very unbalanced system...but i've got plans in the making...the tone controls are useless...yes for under 2500 its a good deal...but i've heard the audio mat (french) at the same price is a very nice unit as well(he said its even "better"???)

Yes, you really need to mate the Orchestra Reference with good equipment. It takes a high level of ancillary components before you start to push the limits of the Jadis, as opposed to having it held back.

I like the tone controls. I am able to back off some on the poorly recorded digital(80's especially). And, when people who are not audiophiles come over, pumping up the bass, combined with my Coincident Troubass subwoofers, makes sure I never hear any "You should try !" comments. Yes, the bass is stupendous, even when I have the controls set flat(95+% of the time). It's those fabulous, huge Jadis transformers, caps, and KT90s.

I also like the fact that I can use EL34/6CA7/E34L/KT88/6550/KT90 output tubes. You cannot do that with an Orchestra. That amp can only run EL34/6CA7/E34L.

The Orchestra is $2495
The Orchestra Reference is $3495
The DA30 is $5018

I wish I knew how to post a picture in this thread(any help?). Then, I could throw an Orchestra Reference picture up.

By, the way, the Orchestra Reference mates extremely well with silver cabling. So, you might want to consider that.

Not sure if you can do much better in an integrated amp than the Jadis I own, but if Audio Materiere is as good or better, it is quite special.

Help on the way:
In order to post a picture on Audiogon you first have to use HTML (with the exception of single quotes instead of double quotes - too complicated to explain why), and the photo has to be out on a website somewhere.

You cannot use this to load an image on your computers hard drive.

Have you seen the pictures of the 300B SEI in the old Cary adds drop dead georgeous with the gold faceplate and BEAUTIFUL sounding.