Integrated amplifiers — JAVA Hi-Fi SINGLE SHOT

JAVA Hi-Fi builds the Single Shot as its integrated amplifier with single-ended connections. JAVA is a New Zealand company started by Martin Bell, which began in 2016 with a passive LDR preamplifier and took it to Kickstarter in 2017. The Single Shot 200 starts at USD 8,995 in standard finishes, and the UK price was GBP 9,290. It is the RCA-based counterpart to the balanced Double Shot integrated, and both share the same chassis footprint.

Key specs that matter

Output is 200 W per channel into 8 ohm, doubling to 400 W per channel into 4 ohm. Distortion is given as below 0.01 percent THD+N at 1 W into 8 ohm and 0.02 percent at 25 W. Signal to noise ratio reaches 108 dB, bandwidth runs from 10 Hz to 20 kHz at plus or minus 0.5 dB, and input impedance is 100 kohm. Connections at the back comprise two RCA line inputs, an RCA socket pair feeding the built-in MM phono stage and an RCA pre-out. The USB DAC accepts PCM up to 24 bit and 192 kHz as well as DSD, and aptX Bluetooth adds a wireless input for phones and tablets. The case is 440 mm wide, 415 mm deep and 130 mm tall.

Engineering and use context

The two stages rely on quite different parts. Volume control is passive and uses light dependent resistors - the circuit varies current through an internal LED, and the change in light alters resistance to raise or lower the level. The output stage is a high efficiency Class D design that switches with GaN FET transistors, made from gallium nitride. Seven casework options are offered - white and black in satin, black in gloss, and ebony or dark walnut each in either satin or gloss - and the front panel is anodised in black, silver or copper. Warranty cover lasts two years.

Pairing

Because the line inputs and phono input are all RCA, the Single Shot matches sources with single-ended outputs, for example an MM-equipped deck, a CD player or a network streamer, while a computer can feed the USB DAC directly. The pre-out allows a separate power amplifier or an active subwoofer to be added later, or the internal amplifier to be bypassed entirely. A 6.3 mm headphone jack is on board, and the remote selects sources and adjusts volume. The output rises into lower loads, so demanding speakers stay within reach.

Alternatives

The JAVA Double Shot 200 Integrated Amplifier keeps the same power rating but moves to fully balanced dual mono circuitry with XLR inputs, from USD 10,995.