I can’t say it any other way: The HQS 6002 is the best stereo power amplifier I’ve ever had in my listening room.
Driving the loudspeakers... Caring for the music...
The JMF Audio HQS power amplifiers have been acclaimed for their high output power combined with a faithful, natural rendering of music. Since 1988, the most influential audio professionals, such as American studio designer Tom Hidley, and world-class studios (Nashville, New-York, London, Capri, Tokyo, Moscow, Toulouse, Paris...) have trusted the HQS power amplifiers to monitor the quality of the recordings and productions, with great pleasure of listening.
While it first met with success in the studios, the JMF Audio technology was humbly aimed at celebrating music, for all music lovers.
Jean-Marie Fusilier designed and built the HQS power amplifiers without the preconceptions, the marketing considerations, the deadlines or budgets that generally limit commercial designs. Being an expert engineer in high-frequency, infra-red and power electronics, Jean-Marie Fusilier approached audio differently, by passion, with pragmatism, and developed innovative solutions. These set the fundamentals of the make JMF Audio, established in 1985.
The JMF Audio founder desired a lively yet controlled rendering for all types of musics... Even with high sensitivity loudspeakers, this meant significant driving force, precision and very low noise floor. The tube technology which he used to cherish was therefore left aside. Regarding the solid state technology, it was common belief that only a pair of matched output transistors could lead to musicality, which was still only suitable for intimistic listening.
Jean-Marie Fusilier took up the challenge to design a high output power amplifier offering a superb musicality.
The philosophy behind the JMF Audio HQS power amplifiers can be summarized as follows:
> A huge reserve of energy for instant delivery at the output on fortissimo. Achieved with the proprietary RPS concept involving bespoke toroidal transformers and bespoke high performance capacitors.
> High voltage electronics for superior headroom and higher efficiency. A linear amplification by design, a short signal path starting with a precision trimmed balanced input stage. These are key features of the LDA driver board, the center piece.
> High current output capability for best possible control, allowing the amplification structure not to rely on compensations such as feedback loops, yet featuring a high damping factor by nature. The base of the proprietary MTP concept.
A philosophy as set in the beginning and still followed today, sometimes with the exact same components...
Complementing the major aspects, the details are of significant importance regarding the musical result:
Since their introduction, the JMF Audio HQS power amplifiers have taken advantage of the long researches of their designer on the sound neutrality of passive components, semiconductors and materials as well as on the amplification structure allowing fast response, stability and linearity at every stage. The JMF Audio HQS power amplifiers utilize selected and uncommon components for audio applications: high frequency precision transistors, matched differential pairs, bespoke passive components, selected and noble materials...
Due to the requirements for specific components from the aeronautic, aerospace and fast-train industries located in France, some companies have specialized in providing custom parts. Thanks to our initial activities in high-frequency electronics, as told in the History of the brand, we have collaborated for over 30 years with such specialists, which allowed JMF Audio to obtain the bespoke components and parts, especially passive, that best suited our criteria, for serving music.
Technical specifications:
Input
All models have the same voltage gain (which eases multi-amplification)
- Impedance
20kΩ
- Sensitivity
3 pin XLR - metal housed, gold contacts
- Connection
100dB CMRR typ., based on psychoacoustic criteria since 2012
- Common mode rejection
High precision balanced input stage (impedance matched to PRS 1.5)
- Type
Level metering (-15dB to +3dB), Input offset, Overload, High temperature
- Monitoring
Output
250W / 8Ω 450W / 4Ω 550W / 2Ω one channel
- Output power RMS
- Ouput current capability
80A / channel
1Ω - intentionally limited current for amplifier and loudspeakers protection
- Operation load limit
JMF Audio LSS dia. 6mm (120A continuous rated) or gold plated WBT fork/wire
- Connection
Better than -122dB un-weighted 1kHz (meas. dating 2012)
Noise floor and hum
3Hz..100kHz (-3dB) 3Hz..40kHz (0dB) (intentionally limited for RF immunity)
Bandwidth
DC coupled (exclusive DC servo circuitry)
Audio signal coupling
Standby control on front panel (prior to version F)
Automatic protection against high frequency large signals
Automatic DC protection below 3Hz
Automatic protection against overheating
Automatic protection against overload and short circuits
Mains voltage supervision (protections activation reported on front panel)
Protection circuits
100, 120, 230-240 V AC (internally selected)
Power supply
Passive heatsink
Sealed case design (no air path inside amplifier, no dust).
Cooling
Orose® up to 16mm thick machined anodized aluminum external case, machined steel buttons and rose-gold
Case
19”+ wide | 482 W (front panel) x 539 D x 149 H mm
Dimensions (version G)
34kg/pc
Net weight (version G)
Silver or Black (anodized)
I can’t say it any other way: The HQS 6002 is the best stereo power amplifier I’ve ever had in my listening room.