Jadis Aria

The Aria is a stereo valve integrated amplifier designed and manufactured in France by Jadis. It handles the amplification of a pair of speakers on its own, without requiring a separate power stage, and offers five line inputs for connecting several sources.

Its construction relies on hand-wound transformers and traditional internal point-to-point wiring, meaning no printed circuit board is used for signal connections. The amplifier delivers 2 x 30 W in Class B, with a bandwidth of 5 Hz to 60 kHz (-3 dB) and an input sensitivity of 250 mV. It is fitted with four power valves interchangeable between EL34, KT88, KT120 or 6CA7, complemented by two ECC83 and one ECC82. The bias is fixed and requires readjustment each time the set of power valves is changed.

This valve versatility allows the sound reproduction to be tailored to listening preferences, as each type of valve brings its own colouration. The Aria is aimed at a valve electronics enthusiast wishing to combine musicality with the possibility of personalisation, in a system where aesthetics also matter: the unit is available in Stainless Steel/Black or Stainless Steel/White finishes, in a compact 43 cm wide format.

When buying used, it is worth checking the condition of the installed valves, their exact type and their age, as they are consumables that need periodic replacement, at a significant cost depending on the model chosen. It is also useful to check that the bias has been properly readjusted after any valve change, as this setting is fixed and not automatic on this amplifier. An inspection of the internal point-to-point wiring and the hand-wound transformers, characteristic of Jadis's craftsmanship, allows one to check for any signs of oxidation or dubious solder joints.