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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
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.
musicslug
403 posts
 
nobody's mentioned the rogue cronus tube integrated; great sounding, good price - a perfect way to get into tubes.
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.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
I was like you in the beginning but I decided to move into tubes anyhow; always remember there are many people with many years of tube experience that you can ask questions of and from.
I found that midrange tube sound is what I like,have never found in solid state and that hooked me; I think you should take some time don't rush and make a educated purchase and you will never look back.
Good luck and happy hunting!!!!!
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"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 once felt exactly the same way and couldn't have been more wrong. I'm sure there are twitchy, high maintenance tube amps out there but it doesn't have to be that way, and tubes can offer a great deal more than the typical warm, fuller sound people identify them as having.

I was also considering Rogue for recommendation but I've never personally owned one so Tvad's words of caution shouldn't be ignored; neither should Atmasphere's, my experience with Totem has been that they come alive with power.
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