Jason Kennedy’s first exposure to the differences between audio components came in his early twenties when he heard a vintage system with a Decca London cartridge on a Garrard 301 turntable, Leak Stereo 20 tube amp and Quad ESL 57 loudspeakers. Despite or maybe because of its vintage this was a mind blowing system, one that reinvigorated his favourite records so comprehensively that he was hooked forever more. Jason Kennedy started reviewing when he joined Hi-Fi Choice magazine for its transition from an A5 to an A4 monthly publication in 1987. By dint of persistence he was made Editor and stayed until 2001. Jason Kennedy still contributes to HFC alongside a number of audio publications. For reasons that aren’t hard to fathom he has become a sound junkie but would rather be listening to a great new record than a shiny piece of kit, well most of the time anyway. His obsession began as a result of a love of music that he was unable to imitate on a musical instrument, this lead to a rather protracted case of so-called air-guitar but he has, with effort, managed to overcome it.
Jason Kennedy’s audio tastes are pretty broad and he finds that the majority of well made components can be made to produce a musical sound if set up appropriately. But when you want to hear music at its best it’s hard to beat big speakers and hot amplifiers, he’s not averse to turntables either. Why else would you fill the house with vinyl?
Below is a list of the components that Jason Kennedy uses and some of the musicians and composers that he enjoys.
Jason Kennedy’s reference system
Turntables: Rega Naia, SME Model 20/3A, Rega P6
Tonearms: Rega RB3000, SME Series V, Rega RB330
Cartridges: Rega Aphelion 2, Rega Apheta 3, Transfiguration Proteus, Dynavector DV-20X2L
Phono stages: Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII, Rega Aria
CD players: Rega Saturn-R, Leema Antila
Streamers: Lumin U2 Mini with Network Acoustics Volt DC, Auralic Aries G1, Naim Uniti Atom
Software: JPlay
DACs: iFi iDSD Pro, BorderPatrol DAC SE,
Servers: Melco N10, Innuos Zenith SE, Naim UnitiServe
Reclocker: Mutec MC3+ USB & Ref 10 Nano clock
Preamplifier: Townshend Allegri Reference, Music First Baby Reference V2
Integrated amps: Rega Elex, Leema Tucana II Anniversary, Rega Brio
Power amplifiers: Moor Amps Angel 6, ATC P2
Speakers: Vivid Kaya S12, PMC twenty5.26i, Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3, PMC twenty5.21
Interconnects: Atlas Arran Ultra RCA Grun
Network: Network Acoustics Tempus switch & Muon Pro filter, Chord Ground Aray
Digital cables: Network Acoustics Muon2 USB, CAD USB II-R, Atlas Mavros coax, Network Acoustics ethernet
Speaker cables: Townshend F1 Fractal, Townshend Isolda, Kondo Copper
Power cords: Ansuz A2 with Ansuz Mainz8 distributor, Living Voice, Russ Andrews Classic Powerkord
Grounding: CAD GC1 & GC3
Supports: Townshend Seismic Stands, Townshend Seismic Podiums
Speaker stands: Hi-Fi Racks, Custom Design FS104 Signature
Jason Kennedy’s music
Abdullah Ibrahim, AC/DC, Al Green, Anouar Brahem, Alfred Brendell, Arvo Pärt, Beethoven, Bert Jansch, Bill Withers, Billy Cobham, Bob Dylan, Brian Eno, Bugge Wesseltoft, Captain Beefheart, Brokeback, Charles Mingus, Cinematic Orchestra, Conjure, David Bowie, Dr John, Esperanza Spalding, Felix Laband, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Zappa, Funkadelic, Gary Burton, Genesis, Gillian Welch, Gregorio Paniagua, Gwenifer Raymond, Herbie Hancock, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike & Tina Turner, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Walsh, John Fahey, John Martyn, John Surman, Joni Mitchell, JS Bach, Julian Lage, Keith Jarrett, King Crimson, Laurie Anderson, Led Zeppelin, Leo Kottke, Liv Andrea Hauge Trio, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Matthew Halsall, Michael Chapman, Miles Davis, Mozart, Mulatu Astatke, Nick Drake, Nils Frahm, Nina Simone, Parliament, Patricia Barber, Rage Against the Machine, Randy Newman, Robert Fripp, Rush, Ryley Walker, Samuel Yirga, Stanley Clarke, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Sun Kil Moon, The Doobie Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Tord Gustavsen, Tortoise, Van Morrison, Yes, Yussef Kamaal, ZZ Top etc