Polite? Does that mean insightful with impressive instrumental separation, solid, but unexaggerated bass, quite breathtaking mid range esp on vocals and superbly clear, non-fatiguing treble? It is not the most organic sounding I've heard perhaps (valves do that best), but overall it is the most competent and enjoyable amp I have had sitting in front of me at home.
Gassor, Well done! You've hit it on the head. I've had one in my system for a month now and it's certainly been interesting. At first I was very impressed, but after a couple of weeks I started to think something was missing ( that 'organic' flow is not quite there perhaps).
The DAC is a departure for me, as I like a NOS sound. The JVC DAC / K2 interface appears to seperate each of the instruments /vocalists out into very clearly defined layers (at least in my system). It's sort of the Aural eqiuvalent of one of those fold out 3D birthday cards. It's not quite reality, but it's impressive and not like anything else I've heard - just amazing, even if it had been produced last week.
Have to say that this amp drives a pair of Shahinian Obelisks with ease, there is a lazyness (not even trying) element when using my Bedini 802, but the JVC is right up there with it.
Stunning amp, stunning DAC. The pre and power amp combination that really strongly reminds me of this JVC is a lightspeed attenuator (battery powered) feeding into a Krell KSA200. It is that good! In the end I moved on from the Krell /LS because the Krell was massive and extremely power hungery and the LS only had 1 input. Perhaps you might say that it sounds a bit 'dry' / clean? (just as the Krell did)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55167127/P1040613.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55167127/KSA 200/P1040597.JPG