JADIS DEFY 7 SPIT SPUTTER


I AM EXPERIENCING A SPIT AND SPUTTER SOUND FROM THE LEFT CHANNEL OF MY Defy 7 amp after it warms up for an hour. this is not tube related. When I change left channel signal tubes with the right channel signal tubes, the noise stays in the left channel. All other components in the chain have been checked out. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks
jazz_nut
Jctubes is right, it could be one of a number of things. If it consistently occurs after warmup, it sounds like it could be thermally related. I had a similar problem with my JP80; it was a bad resistor. More likely, it could also be a bad capacitor. After they reach a certain temperature, they start to sputter and sound like they're sizzling when they go bad. These things sometimes are tough to track down, as the effect may only be noticable in a narrow temperature band. I'd suggest you find a good repair facility or contact Jadis if it's still under warranty.
If you have to contact the local Jadis distributor for repair, be forewarned... When I purchased my Defy 7 Mk III used and I called just to get some additional info on the Defy 7, he was trying to convince me that within a few months I would have to spend a few thousand dollars to fix the power transformer (he quoted $2.5K to replace it... yeah right, on an amp at the time that retailed for $4500). Instead of buying the used Mk III that he claimed was a piece of junk, I should buy a Mk IV direct from him instead (for a few $K more nonetheless). When I told him I didn't want to spend the money, he hung up the phone on me. Needless to say, several years later it is still running like a champ. I know the distribution company is the same group but I don't know if the person I spoke with (who was the President of the company at the time) is still the person in charge. Anyone else have a positive experience with the distributor? My suggestion is just make sure you don't get screwed when you get it fixed.
Thanks for all the advice. I did swap power tubes as JCB TUBES RECOMMENDED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I also had a negative experience when dealing with Northstar, the importer of Jadis equipment. I will absolutley not send my amp to them. Any suggestions on a knowledgeable technician in the New York area?
Yes. Mike O'Keefe at Audio Outlet has a technician in upper Westchester or Dutchess County that he has referred his customers who own Jadis to, including me. He wasn't able to find the problem with my JP80, but that unit is highly modified and it took Andy Bouwman, the guy who did the mods, over 4 months of constant testing to find the problem, so I cannot fault him at all. If you call Audio Outlet, they may be able to help. I may also have the tech's number at my office, if I'm lucky enough to dig it up, but don't count on it....
I think Rcprince is the person you should listen to for help in the New York area. He is VERY knowledgeable in regard to Jadis. If the problem is a resistor or cap(may also be a faulty connection), you might want to do a parts upgrade while the amp is apart. There is a shop in Philadelphia that used to sell Jadis. He stopped carrying Jadis last year. Seems that the US Jadis dealer network is all but gone. He reports his issue is with the product support for US customers. His stated opinion is that the sound is impeccable, but the support is abysmal(hopefully, I won't have to find out firsthand). I have no experience on their quality of service, but the owner says they are excellent(would he say otherwise...). If all else fails, and you don't mind driving 90 minutes, I could refer you to him.