We are delighted to inform that a long review of the JMF Audio PCD 102 mains filter was published by “image-hifi” Germany. Jan-Feb. 2024 issue.
Introduction:
“Forget all preconceptions you may have about mains filters. Even though we are talking about the smaller JMF Audio model here: the PCD102 can make everything better than you’ve ever heard.”
We are thankful to Berlin based reviewer and writer Andreas Wenderoth and editor in chief Uwe Kirbach.
Review of the JMF Audio HQS9001 mono power amplifiers and the JMF Audio PRS 1.5 line preamplifier, writen by Alan Sircom, in HiFi Plus, Octuber 25th, 2023.
You can access to the original review here.
No bragging
There’s just one downside; the absence of bragging rights! The typical high-ender may not have heard of the brand in part because JMF Audio almost never appears on the second-hand market; there is nothing left to upgrade from here. As you won’t find a preamp that does what the PRS 1.5 does elsewhere, so you won’t swap it for The Next Big Thing. Similarly, I find it hard to imagine what you might buy after owning a pair of HQS 9001s. And as the company doesn’t make a new product every year, they don’t get the exposure of other, more attention-grabbing brands. And finally, the JMF Audio products make a sound that is so intrinsically ‘right’ isn’t going to be as ‘bling!’ as one that shouts from the rafters.
In 2019, Falcon Acoustics passionately created a replica of the BBC’s last 1974 LS3/5a prototype, which they executed with utmost precision. This replica was launched as a limited edition of 50 pairs called the “Kingswood Warren Limited Edition,” paying homage to the BBC’s Kingswood Warren Technical Research Department, where the original LS3/5a monitors were born. Impressively, all 50 pairs were sold within eight days at $8,000 per pair.
According to the press release received from Falcon’s CEO, Jerry Bloomfield, “The Kingswood Warrens” featured redesigned inductors from the BBC’s Research and Development Department, special polycarbonate film capacitors refabricated by Falcon, and ultra-low inductance resistors – all in very limited quantities dictated by the availability of rare original materials preserved or acquired by Falcon. Bloomfield expressed that the passionate reception of Kingswood Warren surprised them and that its improved sound quality left an even greater impact.
“Consequently, we decided to explore how much of the Kingswood Warren’s sonic experience we could incorporate into our regular production LS3/5a models.”
“Historically, the transformers used from the initial production of LS3/5a onwards were made smaller than the BBC prototypes to save costs. We intentionally reversed that trend: the Gold Badge BBC LS3/5a filters incorporate larger inductors, BBC-style transformers, compared to previous versions. This results in lower distortion, improved saturation levels, and additional bass enhancement. My experiences in amplifier design taught me that replacing a physically smaller inductor (with higher resistance) with a larger one (with lower resistance) of the same inductance will reduce noise and increase low-level dynamics.”
“Then we looked at the capacitors,” Bloomfield continued.
The polycarbonate film has not been manufactured for over 30 years. Fortunately, we had some left for the Kingswood Warrens, and this allowed us to develop new Falcon capacitors using a graded polypropylene film, which provides a sonic signature very similar to the ones used in the Kingswood Warren Limited Edition, instead of the polyester film typically used. The new capacitors offer cleaner and more defined sound, adding an extra level of precision that I describe as being able to hear the spaces between the notes. All these advancements came together to create the Falcon Gold Badge LS3/5a crossover, which has now received registered design status from the BBC. Additionally, we use 100% UK/EU-made components.”
The KEY DIFFERENCES with its counterparts lie in a tighter bass with improved textures, resulting in a greater ability to “sync” with rhythms. This is accompanied by a more open midrange, delivering clearer and freer-sounding highs.
“It’s a subtle, but real and easily discernible difference.”
Chicago’s Shaumburg Convention Center, top floor, Presidential Suite, was the place where the latest version of the JMF Audio analog amplification line was presented. A first in the USA since the introduction in the recording studios of Nashville in 1989.
AXPONA 2022 inaugurated JMF Audio’s North American representation by Audio Skies, a long established Los Angeles based company.
The JMF Audio instruments for the music were presented in the new Orose ® black case finish. It was a pleasure to unveil the following exclusives to the North American music lovers:
– HQS 6002 dual-mono power amplifier, new version G
– PRS 1.5 dual-mono preamplifier, new version F, with the MBR1 remote control
– PCD 102 dual-section mains filter, powering JMF Audio electronic components for the first time
– PC3 version D power cord, featuring the new JMF Audio IEC carbon plug, the very first model built
Links to online reviews:
You can read the original article here.
Review of the presence of JMF Audio in AXPONA 2022 by Jason Victor Serius, Stereophile (April 2022)
“The sound was natural and warm, with correct timbres and no edge or glare. If I must be real picky, I could have done with a bit more transparency and bigger images. But in the context of an audio show, this was world-class sound. When, on a Ray Brown recording of “You Look Good to Me,” a chime of some sort resonated from the right channel, it struck me as one of the most perfect reproductions of that sound I’ve ever experienced.”
Jason Victor Serius, Stereophile (April 2022)
You can read the complete original review here.
Falcon Loudspeakers LS3/5a, los únicos LS3/5a Golden Badge en conseguir ser “Clase A” de Stereophile “Recommended Componentes 2021”, en toda la historia de la revista.
En su número 472:
Se puede leer el artículo completo aquí.
Passionate New York based multi-platinum record producer and sound engineer, owner of a world-class Tom Hidley designed recording facility, Mic A., in his quest for the most accurate and natural sounding monitoring, had already replaced the famed original Swiss made amplifiers with JMF Audio designed mono amplifiers years ago.
Mic A. is one of the few to have maintained a full analog workflow, using a collection of equipment which sonic character is sought after by the artists and the record companies to create the sound texture that suits some types of musics. However in the studio the engineer cannot adjust, correct or tune what he cannot hear, thus accurate monitoring is key.
Sound engineers work by listening. Mic had always wanted to hear exactly what was on the mix bus of the large analog recording and mixing console. The integrated control section of the console itself was not enough precise to him to reveal the precious information. Therefore Mic decided to get inside the console and place wires on the mix bus to link to an external and more accurate line stage to feed the power amplifiers and speakers (monitors).
For this external line-stage, Mic had tried professional and high-end audiophile units for years. Swiss, Danish, American… all more reputable and expensive than each other, but none was ‘transparent’.
Moreover, the line-stage had to serve as a neutral switch between the console and a known source such as a commercial disc for the engineer to reference his work along the process.
In 2017, Mic approached JMF Audio of France and placed an order for a PRS1.5 preamplifier, customized to handle the high magnitude signals of the console. JMF Audio was working on the revision D for the PRS1.5, which was aimed at making the PRS1.5 the most natural sounding and pure path source selection and volume control possible. In JMF Audio studios, the PRS1.5-D, inserted in-line, volume set so that the output level is the same as the input level, actually was proven equal to a direct link on measurement and listening! (the said reference direct link being no less than the JMF Audio CM8-C interconnect, the purest to date!). From this test we have been able to consider the PRS1.5-D as an audio element of absolute fidelity! **
This was defined as impossible. JMF Audio has made it.
Clients of the studios: Steve Gadd (Eric Clapton), Mariah Carey, Seal, L.L. Cool J., Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Atlantic Records, Universal Music… (according to displayed information by the studios)
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
**This particular test setup is highly relevant and meaningful. Indeed, it does not only allow us to consider the PRS1.5 revision D as an absolute fidelity audio element, it also validates the JMF Audio technology as a whole : the approach, the design, the unique PGP gold printed circuits boards technology, the made to measure components, the neutrality of the components active or passive through which the signal flows, the CSV dual mono volume control, the power supplies technology, the isolation concepts, the mains conditioning through PC3 cords and the PCD302 filter that power the unit… It means JMF Audio products’ DNA and this leads to absolute fidelity!
“A breakthough in world class audio…”. According to Mic A., multiplatinum record producer, New York.
You can read the original article here.
JMF Audio is pleased to announce that Lindberg Lyd AS studios owned by multi Grammy Awards nominee Morten Lindberg (2L) have decided to integrate the JMF Audio PCD302 and PC3 power line conditioning products in their recording unit, for the sake of delivering the highest sound quality, obviously.
Norwegian sound engineer and producer Morten Lindberg decided to use the JMF Audio solutions after having measured significant noise reduction in the recordings and sensed softer sound through the monitoring.
Recording ambiance (silence) in a venue |
Usual recording system (without PCD302):
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Recorded with JMF Audio PCD302Recording with JMF Audio PCD302 for powering the microphone preamplifiers, the analog to digital converters, the recording machines, the monitoring:
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| The amplitude vs frequency spectra of the recorded files show an over 10dB (3 times) improvement of the background level and a suppression of the artefacts due to radiations on the power line. This means that more ambiance, nuances and natural will be recorded and transcribed, for the best respect of the artists, for the enjoyment of the listener.
Although JMF Audio clients already know the great benefits on sound quality resulting in the use of the PCD302 and PC3 cords, these measures show that the effects are sensible on the recording side as well. |
Lindberg Lyd AS studios and 2L record label owner Morten Lindberg was nominated for the 58th Grammy Awards for three productions released on Pure Audio Blu-ray discs*. He has been nominated several times since 2006.
JMF Audio has been accustomed to delivering the best to the world class recording studios starting from Nashville’s Masterfonics Studios in 1989 with custom mono power amplifiers for the main mix room.
2L was pioneer in Blu-ray Pure Audio productions (along with the MSM Studios of Germany).
JMF Audio was pioneer in Blu-ray Pure Audio discs playback with the DMT3.7 and DXC2.2.
The culture of excellence continues…
