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JRDG - The most beautiful amplifiers around
Cadence
Cadence phonostage
1996-2005
new 5490 euro
used 2000-3000 euro
Optional Cadence power supply new 1590 euro
Pictured on top of a Synergy 2i preamp. According to many people, myself included, this is one of the world's best phono preamps. Sadly no longer made and rarely found on the second hand market, this phono preamp also needs either a synergy or coherence to supply power or make use of an even more rare separate power supply.
The Cadence together with the optionally available powersupply. This supply looks precisely like the Synergy powersupply, minus the display and related electronics.
Adding the optional power supply to a Cadence and Synergy preamp
This is something that is not absolutely necessary since the Synergy power supply has two power outlets to feed not only the Synergy preamp itself but also the Cadence. But the opportunity was there and I had a listen. It turned out that the addition of the extra power supply, feeding the Cadence, leaving the Synergy power supply to feed only the Synergy preamp, made for a big increase in sound quality. Even though the supply is similar to the one inside the Synergy power supply, soundwise it does make a large difference, making the sound more open, fuller and more colourful, but whether this is only due to the power supply itself or has to do with the DC cables, placement and powercables and where they plug into the extensionblock is the question.
One of the latest Cadence units inside.
Even though there was officially only one version, there is a difference throughout the serial numbers, not only in ingredients but also in sound. We have compared two Cadences, one fairly old and one off the last batch ever produced. The older one turned out to sound faster, more agile and more expresive, the latest model was warmer, fuller, wider in soundstage and more fluid. This sounds a lot like the differences between the Synergy 1 and 2i.
This is the only occassion that I saw gold-plated Burr Brown opams inside highend audio equipment! These are the pick of the crop.
Here are 2 comparison pictures from the newer Cadence (top) and the older Cadence (bottom). Notice all the differences?
For starters, the white capacitors are different in size, although they have the same values. Furthermore, the little opamps next to the flatcable are on sockets (for easy replacement) in the new one and directly soldered in the older one.
Here are two more comparison pictures from the newer Cadence with serial P0348 which is one of the last produced (top) and the older Cadence with serial P0255 (bottom).
In the newer version, the input transformers are glued directly to the rearpanel, in the older version they are squeezed in a tighter hole with a rubbery material inbetween.
The audible results speak against expectations. Where you would assume rubber to sound rubbery and IC-feet to sound more metallic, the net effect is precisely opposite! Welcome to the interesting world of JRDG!
Older Cadence and newer Cadence comparison - Amp board
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