Предусилители — JAVA Hi-Fi SINGLE SHOT LDR

The Single Shot is the single-ended LDR preamplifier from JAVA Hi-Fi of New Zealand, whose founder and chief executive is Martin Bell. The name goes back to 2016, when a passive Single Shot Ristretto was sold with three RCA inputs, one RCA output, Neutrik sockets, knobs 3D printed in Alumide and a honey oak case of 350 x 340 x 110 mm weighing 5.2 kg. The present model is a different and larger unit that shares its casework with the rest of the range. It went on sale in March 2023 at GBP 4,890 in the UK and now starts at USD 5,495, the lowest entry price among JAVA's current preamplifiers.

Key specs that matter

Connections are RCA only. There are five pairs of line-level inputs and three pairs of outputs, of which two are variable and one is fixed, all on ETI Research sockets. A headphone output is included. The unit measures 44 x 41.5 x 13 cm, and its weight is 12.4 kg. The supplied remote adjusts level and selects inputs. Buyers choose between six casework finishes in white, black, ebony or dark walnut, plus a front panel of 8 mm anodised aluminium finished in silver, copper or black.

Engineering and use context

A light dependent resistor changes its value with the amount of light falling on it. JAVA pairs each one with an LED and lets the volume knob vary the LED drive, so attenuation changes without any sliding contact in the audio path. The approach dates back to the circuit that started the brand, drawn by Chris Daly, the designer of the Stereo Coffee control board, with the stated aim of keeping the control electronics apart from the signal. The earlier Ristretto had a standby switch that dropped the LDR supply to a very low voltage, which JAVA said would stretch LDR life beyond 20 years. In the current model the board is mounted upside down in the case to reduce vibration reaching the audio circuit, a method JAVA applies across all its amplifiers.

Pairing

Every source and the power amplifier must connect over RCA. Each of JAVA's GaN FET power amplifiers offers an RCA input next to its XLR pair and matches this unit's footprint. Five inputs cover a streamer, a CD player, an external phono stage and two further line sources, and the spare variable output can drive a powered subwoofer.

Alternatives

The JAVA Carbon Single Shot LDR Pre-Amplifier keeps the RCA layout but adds 9 mm carbon fibre casework, ETI Research Silver sockets and IsoAcoustics Gaia IV feet for USD 8,995.