Im a lucky owner of a pair JC1+ paired with a ARC ref6SE. Ive tried with several pre´s and also ran my Lumin X1 direct to my blocks with LEEDH volum control. There will always be diffrences, a thing I like about our hobby, same as room treatment. But I can tell you for sure that I have never, ever found the JC1+ to be bright or "schrill"....Not even close.... Ive hears my mates 2 x Devialet Pro 1000 run as monoblocks and to be honest.....that was way to more bright then I could ever get the JC1+ sounding!!
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I have had both JC1+ & x260.8 monos in my house for the past 3 months. DAC: Holo May Preamps: VAC Renaissance Mk V and the Audio Research REF6
I did a lot of back and forth between the JC1+ and the X260.8. In the end, I ended up selling the X260.8. I feel that, perhaps, for easy to drive speakers (minimum impedance >= 4 ohms), the X260.8 might be better. Their midrange is magical-like in my room. And yes, the JC1+ are not bright at all - if anything, the complaints generally are that they are a bit dark. |
@reg19 What made you feel the JC1+ was superior over the X260.8s? Both are top contenders for me, currently running a JC5 with Focal Kanta 3s so both amp and speaker signatures are familiar to me. TIA! |
@christianb5s4 perhaps, if I had your system, I’d try the X260.8 first - as your speakers are not difficult to drive. In my system, especially while listening to classical music, I got a fuller sound (including better transients) with the JC1+ - at regular listening levels. The X260.8 did have a better midrange. But, Kent English at Pass Labs is very very bullish on the X260.8 - even over their other Pass offerings - for most speaker pairings. |
To me the Pass amps are about natural tone, midrange, dynamics and striking a balance between warmth and instrument separation and details. Midrange with Pass amps is ridiculous. The presentation is never analytical. If you’re looking for an amp that spotlights every instrument within the soundstage, look elsewhere. I’ve owned X250.5, XA30.8 and now own and enjoy a pair of X260.8. |
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