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December 2006
To this day the Silbatone C-102 is the standard by which all other preamplifiers have been measured. Nearly five years later there has been nothing that comes close to the spectacular performance of the Silbatone preamplifier. To quote my own review, "Ok, so it is three large chassis, takes up quite a bit of physical real-estate, weighs what seems like a ton and costs $30,000. So what?!?! The end result is a unit that reproduces music beyond that of any other preamplifier ever heard... and i have heard more [preamplifiers] than one cares to mention." With that said, a few months later, May of 2002, another review of Silbatone's product appeared within Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine. This time it was their Ji-300B integrated tube amplifier (see review by clicking here). Of course expectations were high, as the preamplifier unit was leagues ahead of the usual audiophile high-end kit. While the $16,000 price was nearly half of the C-102 preamplifier, my hopes were to find a large amount of the C-102 preamplifier's performance had filtered down to their Ji-300B integrated. Sadly, the unit fell far short of expectation. The Ji-300B was quite good mind you, though for $16,000 it was hard for me to completely rave about it. My conclusion says, "There are other amplifiers that meet my preferences at lower costs." In life we all have preferences, and the Ji-300B was not quite my cup of tea. Perhaps too much of that 300B rose-colored glasses sound, which the C-102 preamplifier had not a hint of? Bottom line is that while i did love the sound effect, long-term ownership was not in the 'must have' category, unlike Silbatone's preamplifier.
New & Improved As this is December 2006 and we are near Chrisma-anukka-Box-Quanza Day, it was time to unwrap my review of this new and stunning unit. Call it a gift for those who dream big, spend big, and live in the Big Time. The below review is not for the weak of heart or those with fragile backs. While your financials must be This High to enjoy the ride, the exhilaration factor may well be worth the price of admission. And now we enter a world where dreams do indeed come true.
What Dreams Are Made Of
While the hefty loudspeaker terminals are silver, the RCA jacks are gold-plated. An interesting mix of metals, but who am i to argue? Like the $30,000 C-102, the Ji-300MKII chassis and knobs are precision machined from solid aluminum blocks and are hand finished. The chassis has an extremely solid feel and is lavished with sensual curves. Visually, it is extremely attractive and refined. Operation is quite simple, as once you have everything wired in you press the front panel power button and it will illuminate red (it also flashes when in the Mute mode). Once the unit's soft-start delay has run it's course, the power button lamp changes to blue. Then all one needs to do is choose input and volume setting. Of note is that Silbatone suggests loudspeakers with 93/dB/W/m sensitivity or higher. This is a good suggestion, though depending on how kind a load you may find lower-sensitivity loudspeakers will also work well. During this review i employed my beloved Reference 3a MM DeCapo-i and vintage Audio Note AN-J/SPx loudspeakers. Both are high-sensitivity, easy to drive units with the nod going to the Audio Note for bass extension.
And The Angels Sang... For those who read my Silbatone C-102 preamplifier review, you will recall how the microdynamics of that unit were head and shoulders above anything else in my stable. Once again the brilliant minds at Silbatone have done it! Obviously the changes in design and parts are paying big dividends in this department. The usual comments of 'floating' and 'caressing' were noted. It saddens me that very few audiophiles have truly heard the Magic of Microdynamics. Part of the problem may not be system related as it is with the high amount of background noise i hear in other's homes. Ultra-quiet background levels, as is true in my humble abode, are usually only reserved for recording studios or purpose-built soundproof rooms. My point being is that the Silbatone integrated amplifier easily provides high-resolution in the lowermost sound levels and follows the music extraordinarily well, but you need a listening environment conducive to such things. On a grand scale, call it rock n' roll time, the pace (PRAT) and dynamics were mesmerizing. Kraftwerk's The Mix (both vinyl and CD) had a staggering driving speed, with the synthesized uppermost frequencies extending to the stratosphere. Lesser units tend to miss the truly miss the airy highs in the song "Pocket Calculator." They should easily float about without any perception of being cut short. This is exactly how the Silbatone Ji-300MKII produced these musical passages. On the song "Radioactivity" there are very obvious phase cues, expansive sounds, and driving deep bass. Over the years i have found that only units with immense inner resolution can do all things during this song. At 10 seconds you have a very long reverb effect with main sound delay. At 43 seconds is an expansive electronic sound. Add to that, at just over 3 minutes into the song you have the phasey, pulsating explosions for the next minute. Sure many systems can get parts of this, or perhaps a diminished version, yet only the most capable render all the above completely intact in every aspect. Every Kraftwerk lover knows the songs "Trans Europe Express," "Abzug," and "Metal On Metal" and the constant tonal changes with phase. To be fair, this is not just a test of electronics, but also the resolution of one's speakers — especially the tweeters or supertweeters if you have them. Supertweeters usually show their advantages with the song "Homecomputer." Summing this all up, only the very few can really dig in and effortlessly produce these pyrotechnics in full. The Silbatone passed with flying colors. If there was
anything to possibly complain about, it would be the extremely deep
sub-40Hz zone, though that is probably due to my review loudspeakers
(Audio Note AN-J/SPx and Reference 3a MM De Capo-i). Neither of these are
known for that very last octave (or two), though have heard this album
using my M+K MX-2000 subwoofer. Those not familiar with this subwoofer
should simply know it was their top-line unit, bettered the MX-5000 in my
opinion, has hundreds of watts, dual 12-inch drivers in special
dual-loading format, very steep crossover (36dB/octave), and was perhaps
the most accurate subwoofer i have ever heard. Actually, you did not quite
hear this woofer more than you felt it, as it should be with
a proper subwoofer design (read: below 35Hz and reaching down to
near single-digit territory). "So how about acoustic music Steven?" you ask. Placing my fave Mile Davis Prestige vinyl box set by Analog productions on the turntable brought many hours of musical bliss. From breathing technics to subtle tones... it was all these to be heard. As a musician, it is also interesting to note that you can hear more of the musician's interplay between each other. It is these very small inflection and timing cues, and other bits. While most non-musicians may not fully understand this, those of us with years of experience will understand where i am coming from. From albums of small-scale string ensembles to large-scale orchestral works... the resolution and ability to follow multiple groupings, harmonic shadings, and dynamics both macro and micro were nearly flawless. i would be hesitant to really put my thumb on any one deficiency, as said deficiencies seems to not be constant. It begs the question of whether it is the integrated amplifier, or perhaps the system or the recording itself. This also proves that when i have to go over my listening notes and listen further to make a conclusive analysis, and said analysis comes into question. Ask yourself this, when was the last time you read a review where the reviewer is honest enough to know how good a component may be and the remainder of their system (or the recording) comes into question? Perhaps when one's system reaches a certain level you begin to hear so much into the recording, and the system is truly of such high resolution, that deficiencies become a moving target. Just when you feel you have things nailing down, the next recording unseats your findings and brings about newfound joys. On the positive side, the extreme resolution and ability of the Silbatone Ji-300MKII is enjoyable. In the past my system became so hypersensitive as to make the music less enjoyable. In other words, it may not be that you hear too much of the recording and imperfections more than the way it is presented to the listener. Fortunately that type of irritating system i had years ago did not last very long in my home. It was an interesting educational experience and nothing more. If you desire very high resolution and musical pleasure, then the Silbatone Ji-300MKII should easily fill the bill when employed within the right system. Imaging was excellent, with good instrument delineation without being what sounds like artificial etching. Depth and hall reverb expansion was also in the top realm of audiophile exotica, with perhaps a touch of shortening at the very far right and left of the front soundstage. All in all a very impressive, nearly unrestrained floating into the listening space. As previously mentioned, you need to have a very quiet noise floor to truly appreciate these subtleties to the Nth degree.
The Clouds Parted The Sun Shined Down On Earth i can wholeheartedly add the Silbatone Ji-300MKII to Ongaku status. It far exceeds that of virtually all other integrated amplifiers offered at any price. With the price being 2 to 3 times the cost of other units, one should expect such performance. While the first version was a let down, it appears this redesign has captured the magic found in their preamplifier. Sure other reviewers appeared to have been pleased with the first version of this unit, though perhaps having the privilege of reviewing their preamplifier swayed my opinion — as knowing what was possible brings into perspective the shortfalls of the first version. Of note is that i have also been tube rolling the stock WE300B for other tubes. As one would expect, the differences are very audible. It may take me more time and analysis to fully explore this unit, though the past few months certainly does allow me time to get a handle on the stock configuration. There may indeed be a follow up to come, as one would expect when dealing with a unit capable of this starling amount of clarity. This second, MKII version, corrects the previous errors and brings into focus what is truly possible. The Silbatone Ji-300MKII proves that time and evolution can produce remarkable results! Those seeking for the ultimate integrated 300B stereo amplifier should place this unit on the top of their list. Until you hear it, you may never know what is genuinely possible. Of course in the end what really matters is that you...
Specifications Tube Compliment: two each 300B, 5687 and 5965 Frequency Response: 20Hz to 35kHz Power Output: 8 Watt per channel Signal To Noise Ratio: 98dB Inputs: five stereo pair line level RCA Output: One stereo pair RCA Input Sensitivity: 750mV Input Impedance: 10kOhms Output Impedance: 4.6 or 8 Ohms (16 Ohms optional) THD: Less than 2 percent Signal To Noise: 100dB Dimensions: 44 x 25 x 43 (WxHxD in mm) Weight: 59 lbs. Price: $15,000
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Silbatone Ji-300MKII
Tube
It happened during one of those times when
audiophile nervosa sets in. The past year reviewing various turntables and
tonearms has been a revelation! Source components and loudspeakers can
make a wonderful improvement to one's system. But what would you do if one
day, out of the blue, you received an e-mail so enticing that is were like
a moth to a flame. You knew the company's top-line preamplifier was the
most revealing, neutral, and captivating device your ears ever had the privilege
to examine. For the curious few who have not read my February 2002 review of
Silbatone's C-102 battery powered tube preamplifier please 
Silbatone's
Ji-300MKII integrated amplifier ($15,000) uses a pair each of the Western
Electric 300B output, 5965 and 5687 small signal tubes. The front
panel allows for easy selection of 5 switched stereo inputs using the
large knob on the left. Input impedance is 10kOhms. The left, smaller
backlit push button is for monitor output, which is provided for connection to other
integrated amplifiers or
recording purposes. The center button turns the unit on or off while the
far right button is for muting audio output. The large knob to the right controls
volume, with a total of 40 levels to choose from. Like the previous model, the movement
and feel of the volume knob can be described as sensual. Ok, perhaps i
need to get out a bit more, yet if you ever have the chance to operate one
of Silbatone's volume knobs you will understand where i am coming from. The
movement is silky smooth, yet very positive.
Output transformers
have been upgraded from the previous version. They are now
semisilverfoil to semisilverfoil nickel core and wired for both 4.8 and 8 Ohm
impedances, with 16 Ohm available by simply rewiring the appropriate
output transformer wires to the loudspeaker binding posts.
Other improvements include doubling up the silver mica capacitors and all
internal wiring went from being copper in the previous version, to now
consisting of 100 percent silver. With these improvements, the price has
actually come down from $16,000 for the first version to $15,000. This
could be due to the low valuation of the United States dollar or more
cost-effective engineering technics. Whatever the cause, it is good to see
improvements and a lowering of price.
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