Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Jungson Hedo Amplifier (SS) by Chris K.

Model:	Hedo
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1700
Description:	80 WPC Stereo Amp Operating in Class A
Manufacturer URL:	Jungson
Model Picture:	View

Review by Chris K. on December 03, 2012 at 14:56:23
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for the Hedo

Lacking a plethora of information and reviews on this amp, and as an inmate who has occasionally posted, but more often benefitted from others’ input on this site, I felt it obligatory to provide my first product review. Hedo is the value line of Chinese manufacturer Jungson and the power amplifier, like other Jungson amps, operates in pure class A. While it has an output of 80 WPC, my main concern before purchasing was the output impedance of 4 or 8 ohms translating into a minmal damping factor that could be an issue for my 4 ohm Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand speakers. However, my apprehension on this matter was soon alleviated.

The start of my relationship with the Hedo began on a slightly disconcerting note, though. After receiving it, removing it from the box and placing it on my amp stand where my Perreaux Prisma had been located, I looked inside the empty cardboard container to locate the product manual. To my dismay, it was not to be found. Obviously, this was an oversight when the unit was packed, or so I thought. Even worse, I was unable to find the power switch, which left me guessing if it existed and perhaps the amp was meant to be turned on only when plugged in. After hookup of the interconnects and to the speakers via my River Cables Flexygy 6, I plugged it in. No juice.

With no power and no manual, it was time to call Grant Fidelity from whence it came. First, I was informed that there is a power switch on the underside of the unit (thought I had looked there?). Second, it was explained to me that there was no owner’s manual, which is apparently not atypical of Chinese audio products. Granted, a power amp is not too difficult to understand, but it does seem that even a single page foldout with some information (such as location of the power switch) isn’t too much to ask.

Out of the box, it was obvious that the Hedo would need considerable burn-in time. I allowed over a hundred hours before formulating my observations for this review. After the break-in period, my initial impressions were that the soundstage afforded was both wide and deep, bass was solid and ample, and much to my surprise, the output for 80 watts was exceptionally strong. Having owned Perreaux, ATI, Classe, Monarchy and the vaunted Parasound JC-1 monoblocks (400 WPC), to be able to mention the Jungson Hedo in the same breath is quite a compliment.

Before detailing my reflections of the amp’s characteristics, let me digress just a bit to point out the importance of using quality cabling with this amplifier. While my cables are not in the megabuck range, the upstream interconnects in my system from Audioquest, Kimber and Discovery are decent. While price doesn’t necessarily dictate performance with cables, invariably the ones I find that perform best in my system were predominantly my more expensive ones, relative to the other half dozen pairs I have in the closet. Among all of the associated power cords listed, the PS Audio-5 seemed to “click” best with the Hedo by providing a combination of solid bass, smooth highs, and great soundstaging and imaging.

Generally speaking, the Jungson Hedo can be described as very honest or neutral in character and reflective of sources, cabling and recordings that it’s fed. One example (in order not to indict the guilty, I’ll keep this reference anonymous) is a famous label that has reissued many of its golden age classical recordings on SACD. On a few of these of the same orchestra recorded in the same venue with the same original engineers, same mastering engineer, but two different DSD engineers, there was a clear difference between them that was much more easily detected than with my Perreaux amp. A couple of these were somewhat bright while the others exhibited a sound on the warm side of neutral.

I began my critical listening with Elgar’s Symphony No. 3 (Naxos CD 8.554719) with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This well engineered recording sounded “just right” with an excellent sense of depth and layering of instruments with a timbre that was very natural. From Melody Gardot’s album, “My One and Only Thrill” (Verve B0012563-02), my initial reaction was that the highs were overemphasized. After switching my DAC interconnect from the AQ Panther to Columbia, the top end sweetened up. This amp clearly lets you hear what it receives. On “If The Stars Were Mine” from the same CD, her vocals were realistic with guitars and percussion sounding authentic, located in space both behind and to either side of her.

On Jim Reeves Anthology (RCA/BMG Heritage CD# 82876 5489 2), on “Guilty”, the Hedo exhibited solid imaging with the vocals front and center. The string section, which can sound a bit forward on some equipment, was at the appropriate depth in the right channel. “Welcome To My World”, engineered by the legendary Bill Porter, had the vocals centered with the strings deep in the mix to his right with the background vocalists slightly in front of them. This early 1960's recording is of the hard left, right and center of that era, but quite spacious in nature and well captured by the Hedo.

On “Suppe Overtures” with the Detroit Symphony led by Paul Paray ( Mercury Living Presence SACD 470 638-2), the excellent Cass Technical High School auditorium venue is reproduced with the violins very sweet and up front on “The Beautiful Galatea” with staging that sets the timpani to the rear. The sound on this recording is never harsh. Finally, on the title track, “Telling Stories” by Tracy Chapman (CD Elektra 62478-2), the image is solid with her vocal forward and instruments in their proper place, spaced well to her sides and behind her. The weight of the bass on this track and others is captured in proportion to its recording. The sonics on this CD are excellent and as replicated by the Hedo, never sound bright.

If I could use terms to describe the Jungson Hedo power amplifier, the words “neutral”, “accurate” or “honest” come to mind. I use those not in the context of being accurate or neutral at the expense of warmth, but faithful to the recording and all associated equipment and cabling. If you have bright sounding cables or sources, the Hedo will bring that to your attention. Likewise, if you have over warmish or sluggish sounding gear, it will exploit that. Therefore, careful matching of components and cables is essential to gaining the most from this amp.

Soundstaging and air between instruments is excellent. I never thought that 80 WPC could sound so powerful, especially with my 4 ohm speakers. And, the solid, well controlled bass reproduction was a very pleasant surprise considering the stated output impedance. While the Jungson Hedo may not be in the same league as the Parasound JC-1 monoblocks, it is an excellent, high value amplifier that punches well above its price range and can legitimately be partnered with pricier equipment to provide a very musical high end system.

Product Weakness:	Must be matched with quality equipment. Sensitive to poor choices in cabling or sources.
Product Strengths:	Imaging and soundstaging, accuracy.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Jungson Hedo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Manley Labs Shrimp (Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 tube buffer for SACD playback)
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony SCD-333ES, Pacific Valve Lite 72 DAC modified
Speakers: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand
Cables/Interconnects: Speaker: River Cables Flexygy 6. Interconnects: Audioquest Columbia, Panther and Cheetah. Kimber Hero, Discovery Essence, Analysis Plus Oval One. Power: PS Audio AC-5, Gutwire B12, Vans Evers standard power cable, Audioquest NRG-2, Element ElementChord, Shunyata Venom 3.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Country, Popular
Room Size (LxWxH): 18' x 12' x 7.5'
Room Comments/Treatments: GK Acoustic panels, homemade bass busters
Time Period/Length of Audition: Two Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Vans Evers Model 83 power conditioner.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Jungson Hedo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Manley Labs Shrimp (Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 tube buffer for SACD playback)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony SCD-333ES, Pacific Valve Lite 72 DAC modified
Speakers:	Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand
Cables/Interconnects:	Speaker: River Cables Flexygy 6. Interconnects: Audioquest Columbia, Panther and Cheetah. Kimber Hero, Discovery Essence, Analysis Plus Oval One. Power: PS Audio AC-5, Gutwire B12, Vans Evers standard power cable, Audioquest NRG-2, Element ElementChord, Shunyata Venom 3.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Country, Popular
Room Size (LxWxH):	18' x 12' x 7.5'
Room Comments/Treatments:	GK Acoustic panels, homemade bass busters
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Two Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Vans Evers Model 83 power conditioner.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner