Anybody heard the Jadis DA 88 Signature?

I saw an almost dissapointing review on HIFINews and there is another one on HIFI+.
It must be interesting machine depends on your speakers.

I auditioned it for about...two hours. I couldn't get off the couch and the dealer sat with me most of the time. It was amazing. There was a Naim CDX2 front end with Apertura speakers and I couldn't believe how good it sounded. Everything from electronic music (Massive Attack, Maxwell Implosion, Bargrooves) to vocal (Diana Krall, Fairfield Four, Rickie Lee Jones) to acoustic (Nick Drake, Badly Drawn Boy) sounded unbelievable. It was clearly one of the best systems I have ever heard - better than mine even and I don't come across that very often at a dealer.

It is warm and rich but has all the detail. It's a combination that left me speechless and I have never heard a system that could tread the fine line between space and dynamics.

I also compared the DA50S in the same system and it was just about as good but a little less body and density to the image. Definately the same style of sound though. They had a JOR there too but it was playing Dynaudio Focus 140 speakers and Symphonia cdp. Its sound was like the 88s but again, not as meaty - although the system was different so I won't compare them any further. I left there with a distinct desire to buy something from Jadis and hope that one day I can get out of school and buy myself an 88S.

The Hifi+ review is highly favorable but I haven't read the hifi news review although I don't value their opinion nearly as much.

Arthur, thank you for sharing your perspective with us! I'm jealous that I was not with you, or have ever heard the DA88S.

Your description of it, and comparison with the DA50S, mirrors what I have been hearing with my DA30 and DA60. I'm hoping that based on people with demanding tastes once again being exposed to Jadis the brand will enjoy a resurgence in North America. I very much like the way the DA88S has been designed. My only question is, is it able to accept the EL34 type tube as is the DA60? If not, I'm wondering if the older product is not the better play for folks who like what that tube can provide?

As you so correctly stated, you simply sit down and listen, and never want to get off the couch. "Warm and rich, but with all the detail...", yes very true - there is some sort of magical formula they have that you find so infrequently in this hobby. I'm really happy with the sound I'm getting out of mine. Can't say enough about it, apart from the DA60 has established itself being a lifetime purchase for me, and that is truly rare in audio.

Thanks for the responses. I guess it should sound great at the price! Must be the most expensive non SET int amp per power watt, extant! (or close). Which issue of HiFi+?
Joe, I am told it only uses KT 88 tubes - designed for them only. I was hoping, Arthur that you weren't that impressed, so I wouldn't covet it:) It's beyond my budget, but I was intrigued by its look and the fact that Jadis label it their best int amp, and the JOR sounds pretty good as an almost starter in their line-up. It's true, Joe, that the EL 34 in the JOR is pretty magical and I would love to compare the midrange of the ST 88 with the JOR with EL 34s.
Arthur, please let me know where you auditioned it, even if by private e-mail, if you prefer. So thanks for the feedback, all, especially Arthur.

Joe

Have you tried 6550/KT88s and KT90's in the DA-60 ?
Can the DA-60 use EL-34 tubes ? It is not sold with EL-34s as a standard tube...
How much is the power difference between the above mentioned tubes in the DA-60 ?
Did you ever try KT-90s in the Orch Reference ,to compare with the EL-34s ?
How does the DA-60 and the Orchestra Reference compare ?

The DA-88 Signature is surely a beautiful amplifier... :-)

Thanks

Chris