Jungson JA88D anyone?

Wait a few months there should be another review out on the 88D and the JA1/JA99 pre/power amp which is the same as 88D but in seperates.

I've had mine for going on 12 months now and posted my thoughts many times here and at AA. You can do a word search if your interested.

On the question of amps that it has been compared to.

Some of the amps that I am aware of that Jungson has replaced in other audio enthusiast systems include Odyssey Stratos, Coda Class A, Sim Audio W5, Plinius SA-102.

One owner I am aware went thru Bryston, Classe and Primare amps. He finally settled on the 88C which is the $400 little brother to the 88D. I also received a email from a enthusiast within the past week who replace a Bryston 2B LP amp/Forte preamp with the 88C. He is delighted with the 88C.

I agree the BFS review was a disappointment. Way too little info, way to much waxing philosophical. Bottom line he was a tube lover and didn't care much for SS but really liked the 88D.

Also notice at the end of the review while not doing any direct comparisons, he felt on the basis of performance, build and features its peers would be the Rowland Concerto ($5800) and Gryphon Callisto ($7000). Again I wish he would have gone into direct comparisons.

If the reviewer of the 88D and Ja1/Ja99c does as he has in his past reviews there should be a great deal more info on which to base a purchase decision.

Feel free to email if you have any questions.

BW Maxx

For what its worth, I use Jungson JA-100 Monoblocks and also use the JA-99c in a HT setup. I have had Classe Cam-350, Bryston 7b ST, Gamu-T 250 to name a few and the Jungson amps to my ears are the best. Bass is deep and tight with super smooth Mids. Built like a brick s--t house.

Thanks for all the post guys.

Maxxc, do you know when and where the new review will be comming out? Faziod, I really want the JA-50 but the cost is little too high for me because I would also need a preamp. You're a lucky guy.

Does anyone know about the quality of the volume pot/control in the 88D? I have always found that the limiting factor in integrated is the volume control. Manufacturers tend to use cheap pots. For example, people regard the Alps volume pots to be good quality, but the type that's used in most integrated are the cheaper $15-20 pots from Alps. These pots tend to sound closed-in in the lower settings (up to 9-10 o'clock) where I do 99% of my listening. It isn't until at least 12 o'clock for the sound to get more transparent. I just wonder how much of an improvement is to be had going to the Jungson monoblocks and getting a separate preamp. Any thoughts?

Review is slated for Enjoy the Music. Wayne Donnelly has already finished the reviews. Not sure when it will be out. Originally anticipated to be out in April or May. Probably more like mid summer.

I haven't heard the Monoblocks. One Audio enthusiast went from either the 88D or JA1/JA99 to the Monoblocks JA50? JA100? and JA2 preamp. He seemed to feel it was a worthwhile upgrade and though it sounded more "organic". Thats the only feedback he posted.

Jungson uses Stepped attenuators 0-99 setting. The 88C ($400) lists "American Jeff Rowlands digital volume control technology" as one of the features, what ever that means.

I'm sure they are very good quality. Looking in the amp, although not a expert by any means, I don't see anywhere that they cheaped out. They are considered by many to be the top SS manufacturer in China. Jungson is also known as "the Chinese Krell". Based on build quality and their stature rather then sounding like Krell.

Speaking of not being able to afford the JA50's. One option might be to get the JA2 preamp paired along with the JA99C. This would basically be the 88D but with a much higher end preamp.

If your serious contact Andy at Sekei. His price and service can't be beat.

BW Maxx

My friends compared Korsun v8i and Jungson D88 (Thiel 2.2 speakers). They came to the conclusion, that the Korsun is quick, detailed soundprint with bass slam, and Jungson is like a tube amplifier: organic sound, wondeful midrange, bit slower and less bass slam. Maybe this helps also.