Job 2022

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (4GHz quad-core with Turbo, 32GB RAM, 3TB FusionDrive, OSX Yosemite. iTunes 14.4), PureMusic 3.02, Audirvana 3, Qobuz, Tidal, Denafrips Terminator+ clock-synced to Soundaware D30Ref SD card transport & USB brdige; Preamp: icOn 4Pro SE; Power amplifiers: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos, Enleum AMP-23R; Headamp: Kinki Studio; Phones: HifiMan Susvara; Loudspeakers: Aurai Audio Lieutenant, Audio Physic Codex, Cube Audio Nenuphar Cables: Complete loom of Allnic Audio ZL; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra on all source components, Vibex One 11R on amps, Furutech DPS-4.1 between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc Krion and glass amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, LessLoss Firewall for loudspeakers, Furutech NCF Signal Boosters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat
2nd system: Source: Soundaware D100Pro SD transport; DAC: Kinki Studio; Preamp/filter: icOn 4Pro + 4th-order/40Hz hi-low pass; Amplifier: Crayon CFA-1.2; Loudspeakers: sound|kaos Vox 3awf, Dynaudio S18 sub; Power delivery: Furutech GTO 2D NCF; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Audioquest Fog Lifters; Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z230 work station Win7/64; USB bridge: Audiobyte Hydra X+; Headamp: COS Engineering H1; Headphones: Final D-8000; Powered speakers: Fram Audio Midi 120
Upstairs headfi/speaker system: Source: smsl SD-9 transport; DAC: Denafrips Terminator; Integrated amplifier: Schiit Jotunheim R; Phones: Raal-Requisite SR1a
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Simon Audio; Loudspeakers: German Physiks HRS-120; Subwoofer: Zu Submission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: $1'495 when new

Shuffle the deck. See what card comes up trump.

I've got two decades of full-time reviewing on my beat. You won't be surprised that my closet packs some heat of trusted reminders which followed us around through very many relocations Cap'n Greybeard's loot. Sometimes I tap into that private reserve in the utility room to stir perhaps even shake things up. Will my present estimation turn an oldie which seemed so sweet back then into vinegar? Will it show to have matured well to keep far more current competition bothered? In that vein I previously mentioned Auralic's vintage Vega DAC. It once again sees duty in my headfi rig of s.m.s.l SD-9 SD transport, Schiit Jotunheim R integrated and Raal-Requisite SR1a. That prompted at least one reader to chase down a used Auralic and write in vega enthused. Today is about Goldmund's 225 amp under their long discontinued direct-selling Job badge. I reviewed that in 2013. That's an eternity in the quick turnover of perception wedded to 'new means improved'. In fact ownership of the company changed since. Even the marketing manager I always dealt with for Job/Goldmund reviews moved on. I've altogether lost touch with them.

As it turns out, none of it fazes my Job 225 bumping off a Crayon CFA-1.2 or Enleum AMP-23R in the smaller upstairs system. Whilst a little more fresh and not quite as suave as those, its high 35dB voltage gain is really advantageous. It enforces far higher attenuation in my icOn 4Pro passive. And contrary to other forms of signal cut, that actually improves the sound. The multi-tapped autoformers convert voltage into current. The less voltage they output on their secondaries, the more current the following amp's input stage sees. Since I often enjoy listening at lower levels, that becomes an extra boon. It counteracts typical tendencies for sonic bleach. The sound remains involving and fully intelligible into lower SPL than it otherwise would. That offsets the newer kit's small advances in aural posh. I actually favor the oldie for pennies on their euro. Such math turns even rosier now that the Job 225 is long gone to only be available used. Today is simple reminder. Not to pounce on a classified sighting would be a real miss. Ditto for the matching integrated. I'll never let my Job go. Not only does it keep me honest, it makes me happy. Again.

Shuffle the deck. See what card comes up trump. Today that was Goldmund's Job 225. It's in fact fair to say that this budget treasure kicked off my whole appreciation for fast wide-bandwidth DC-coupled amps using lateral Exicon Mosfets. Hello Job 2022 header. Not only is that next year, it adds a number to the original nomenclature. Seeing how well this design has weathered interim progress, an extra figure seems only fair. At least that's my take and I'm sticking by it. In fact I'll sign it. There. Now you just gotta go find one. Fingers x'd.