Jungson 88D vs Dk Design MKII


Anyone had a chance to compare these two pre's?
husk01
Those are both integrated amps not preamps. There is one poster here who has owned both and thinks both are great but prefers the DK design. Of course as he pointed out, the DK Design is 2X the price of the Jungson. You can probably find his posts by doing a work search.

While I haven't heard the Dk design I do own the 88D. When you look at what $1500 normally gets you in the way of a integrated, the 88D is a no brainer purchase.
Actually yes. I just sold my DK and replaced it with the Jungson JA 88D and yes, they are integrateds, not pre-amps.
Interesting comparison. Confirms my opinion that "better than" does not apply to many of the audio products available. More valid and apt comparisons can better be described as "different", not necessarily "better". And what one prefers to listen to is much more important than buying into what experts refer to as "better". These 2 amps are different and which you would prefer depends on what you like to hear. The DK is more powerful, with more authoritative bass and (probably because of the tube pre-amp section) has a deeper soundstage. It sets up a much larger front to back soundstage than the Jungson. Instruments are better spaced left to right and front to back than with the Jungson. It is softer in the high end, less extended there than the Jungson, perhaps a bit less detail in the extreme high end. Both mid-ranges are good, with the edge in detail and clarity going to the Jungson. That said, the bass of the Jungson is excellent, softer than the DK, but musical and deep -- again it is a preference thing. The soundstaging of the Jungson is good left to right, but not as deep (no tubes?)At times it sounds like the instruments are coming from the speakers and not the soundstage, which is a teeny bit disturbing -- the DK sets up as if there are no speakers in the room. Both are worthy units. Aesthetically the Jungson is clearly superior but then the volume control is SLOW where the DK's volume controlled remotely or manually is a lot easier. The DK runs cool the Jungson runs hot, even in standby. Both are heavy and both are big. I would call the Jungson a "lush" sounding amp with good detail and good bass. I would call the DK a powerful sounding amp with excellent soundstaging, perhaps a tiny bit more refined or slightly smoother sounding than the Jungson (again, because of the tube element?). For the prices, great products.
From what you describe, it looks like a step back in my opinion. I can't imagine preferring the Jungson, unless you omitted some important details from your description.

Oz