SJS Electroacoustics

lostwin

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In the latest SJS Instagram post he says he been developing new designs. Anyone know anything about what's in development?
Simon will be at the HiFi Deluxe show next weekend, Definitive are using his amps in their set up - model 3 phono, model 7 pre and model 5 power, so nothing obviously new being launched there.

I’ll ask him at the show or he might chip in and give us an update on this thread.
 

lostwin

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Good to catch up with Simon on Sunday at the Show. Sounds like an interesting development on the Series 5 power amp is in the works to drive the new LV speakers at Munich it seems…

Not sure if others have seen this already, the build dates back to last year, but I only spotted it recently. Special order and copper chassis again, drool worthy!
 
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lostwin

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With apologies to Simon, I’ve never been a massive fan of the silver knobs on the original Arcadia pre.

It’s a bit of a minefield though, as I have just ordered and fitted these and I’m far from convinced it’s an improvement. Maybe I’ll live with them for a bit, what do you think….?
BE8E33BE-CED2-431F-80DE-ABA5A1884632.jpeg

D623E9C5-0CB7-474D-B896-0A84EBCBAF70.jpeg
 

luckysim0n

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I too prefer originals but everyone has there own tastes or otherwise it would be boring
 

rabski

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I'd have gone with plain or gloss black as a more contemporary looking alternative, but that's just my own taste. I'm not a fan of gold bling on audio :)
 

awkwardbydesign

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How much would it cost to have the originals gold plated? If that's your thing.
 

lostwin

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How much would it cost to have the originals gold plated? If that's your thing.
That’s an interesting idea. At first I thought it was the size and shape as much as the shiny silver that I didn’t like, I’m less sure now having made the change.

The originals I think are solid brass - they certainly have that sort of weight. I wonder if I could have the plating stripped on these in order to have a raw brass finish? I like gold / yellow metal, but ideally a little tarnished or dulled.
 

sjs

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That’s an interesting idea. At first I thought it was the size and shape as much as the shiny silver that I didn’t like, I’m less sure now having made the change.

The originals I think are solid brass - they certainly have that sort of weight. I wonder if I could have the plating stripped on these in order to have a raw brass finish? I like gold / yellow metal, but ideally a little tarnished or dulled.
The knobs are chrome plated solid brass.

Possibly black chrome would suit the look of the amplifier.
 

bencat

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You can treat the metal with a solution that makes the plating look worn and antique . It is used in stained glass work when using copper tape to make the copper look like lead . But you can control the effect by wiping it off quickly and it leaves a very effective tarnished look . If the knobs were stripped back to plain brass then this applied I think it would give the look you are looking for once you were happy an application of clear laquer would seal the look .
 

rabski

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If you don't want patinated brass (it's a preamp, not a bloody Georgian washstand), Audio Note do a rather natty selection of colours and sizes, including gloss and matt black.
 
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awkwardbydesign

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Sadly* those guitar amp knobs won't work for you. They only fit splined shafts, and Simon's pots aren't splined. And they can't readily be modified; I know because I have tried.
* Or luckily.
 

lostwin

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Sadly* those guitar amp knobs won't work for you. They only fit splined shafts, and Simon's pots aren't splined. And they can't readily be modified; I know because I have tried.
* Or luckily.
Damn it! Back to the drawing board then. The AN versions are nice but look to be at least £30 each , so quite spendy for 4. Hifi Collective had a nice one but that is discontinued and the ones on eBay I have trawled through already.
 

lostwin

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I think what I will try next is to tone down the gold finish on the ones I have fitted. I assume these are an anodised finish on the aluminium. Any tips as to a good chemical to use? I’m thinking that household limescale remover would be reasonably acidic.
 

lostwin

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To answer my own question, you use oven cleaner.

Top right had 10 mins, bottom right 5. Left side are not treated. A bit patchy but polish might help. I’m warming to the look of these. I’m also going to spray black the spring mounts used as feet as these obviously clash.

4CBF3E92-0760-421C-A0A3-0DFA50E2ED39.jpeg
 
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rabski

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To my eyes..... nope :ROFLMAO:

Gold and black, yes. Gold black and white, too much IMHO. We all have different tastes though, thankfully.
 

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