Jaton “High Performance” Audio
This one was a BIG SURPRISE! I saw the name “Jaton” at CES in
January 2008, but not being familiar with them and having limited time, I
never made it into their room. At this point, I wish I had….
Shortly after CES I was contacted by Eric from Jaton, offering me a free
no-obligation audition of their new Operetta AP2140A power amplifier
(the two-channel version). They would take care of all shipping both
ways, give me as much time as I needed – it was too good to pass up.
Eric explained they were trying to get the product out to some key dealers
in key markets, and get comments back from them.
Jaton has been around for 25 years, headquartered in Milpitas, California,
for the last 20 years. Primarily known for their high performance graphic
accelerator cards, their high-performance audio and video division began
in 1999.
When the product arrived in its substantial and easy to use packaging
(there are “handles” incorporated in the internal pack to make it easy to
remove the amp!), it was much more than I expected. Heavy (50 lbs. +)
with excellent fit and finish. I popped the lid, to see a very innovative
design – separate amplifier modules with easy to use connections,
excellent parts and build quality (German made WIMA caps abound). It
is very easy to add/remove amplifier modules, making the extension to the
full five-channel home theater version seem like child’s play. All the while,
I kept the price in mind - $1000 for the 2-channel version, $200 per
additional module, bringing the 5-channel model to a very affordable
$1600. Talk about great value! But how does it sound?
I’ll admit, I told myself I wouldn’t like it. How could this innovative, cost
effective, modular design impress an old hard-core audiophile like me? I
hooked it up to my big 2-channel system, and turned it on. After a short
delay and a couple of light relay clicks, it was engaged, and pressing my
ears to my speakers revealed it was dead quiet. I put a good CD on
repeat, made sure both channels were operational, and left for a bit.
Later that day, I came back for a listen. I cranked things up and went
through some familiar CD tracks that I use for auditions. My jaw sort of
hit the floor – all I remember is telling myself, “Damn, this thing is really
good!” I hate to use that much overused audiophile term, but it fits this
amp to a “T” – “musical, VERY musical”. “Tube-like” in the midrange. It
never fails to get the musical details and textures right, and that, my
friends, is what this game is all about. It puts out 70 watts per channel into
8 ohms, doubling that into 4 ohms. If you have reasonably efficient 8 ohm
speakers and a reasonable size space, you will have margin to spare with
its 70 watts. Since a lot of speakers out there today seem to be 4 ohms,
you will be listening to a good 140 watts in a lot of applications. It’s very
dynamic, and the bottom end is tight and well defined. Pair this up with a
good sounding preamp (perhaps a tube version) and some reasonable
speakers, and you have a very affordable, excellent sounding system that
we could all live with for a good long time.
Of course, as it has broken in, it has gotten better and better. I have put it
up against some amps costing a lot more – I won’t say which one, but it
literally destroyed an amp I had on hand costing 3-4 times as much! And,
it holds its own very well even with MORE expensive amps. Bravo,
Jaton!
My next plans for this amp are to expand it to five channels and pair it
with Jaton’s new A/V Preamp/Processor, due out sometime this fall. Can’
t wait to get that combo into my home theater system and see what
happens.
Soon to arrive for my audition is the new Operetta 2300A, 300
Watt/Channel power amp. Eric assured me it is even better sounding, and
will incorporate some very inventive new technology.
Eric also just sent me a pair of the new Lyra HD-661DX three-way
speakers for audition – stay tuned!
SOUND CONSULTANT, LTD.
Albuquerque, NM.
Mr. Harold Cooper
Tel: 505-821-9626
soundconsultant@yahoo.com