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Moving away from tubes. Is this a good idea?

I need a new amp for my Totem Sttafs and REALLY considered tubes. My final thought is that if you don't have a certain pile of money you are only kissing your sister. Have you ever seen my sister? Besides there is a Devel's Tower of a learning curve for me to climb around tubes and I'm really anxious to just sit down and listen without any anxiety (if you know what I mean).

I have an opportunity to pick up a JungSon JA 88-D class A integrated amp. Just one piece of electronics to move onto the rack (but what a BIG piece:-)

I have a relatively med/small room (16'x17'x8'). The speakers are rated 8hm, 88dB, and 100 W max. program.

The amp is rated at 80 wpc, class A, RMS 8ohms.

From what I read the JungSon is about as close to a tube sound via ss as I can get without breaking into the kids xmas fund. I just want a rich full room of acoustical/vocal/instrumental music.

Could you give me your opinion if you think the Sttafs will be underpowered or unmatched.

Thanks.
djh

Showing 4 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
I think you should buy a used PrimaLuna Prologue 2 or Cayin A-70t integrated amp and get your feet wet with tubes. If the tubed integrated amp doesn't do it for you, then resell at little or no loss and buy solid state.

I believe you can do better than the Jungson in solid state amplification.

That's my opinion.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Good ideas above. The mention of Cayin not autobiasing is a very good catch.

My hunch is that if Djh does not try a tube amp, he will always wonder "what if?".

Therefore, I suggest buying a used PrimaLuna Prologue 2 when one becomes available. Give it a try. If it doesn't work (I'll bet it will...), then sell it and buy one of the solid state amps suggested above.

I suspect Pass Labs will be out of Djh's price range based on his mention of the Jungson as a possibility.
tvad
9,467 posts
 

I always wanted to try a tubed amp. Now that I am in the market for an amp I thought this would be the time.
Pick one and jump in. Learning through listening is a necessary step.

Whatever I get it will probably be the last amp I buy for quite some time.
Djh (Threads)

That's always the goal, but it's rarely the reality. That's why you might as well jump in and get started.

Try the Prologue 2 or the Cayin A-70t (autobiasing) if you listen at moderate levels and don't crank Metallica. Owners of both rave about them. Find one used. It limits the risk.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
11-16-07: Musicslug
nobody's mentioned the rogue cronus tube integrated; great sounding, good price - a perfect way to get into tubes.
It's a well regarded integrated, but it's not autobias, so perhaps not the best choice for a first time tube amp owner.
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