Amp recommendations for Joseph Audio Perspectives2


I bought a pair of Joseph Audio Perspectives (Graphene 2 upgraded) and they will arrive next week. I am looking for amp recommendations now.

Currently I am using prism sound DA1 as source, Schiit freya + as tube pre. I also have a CJ pv5 tube pre and really enjoyed the Conrad Jonhson midrange presentation. I am thinking of upgrading the pre to higher end CJ line in near future (like a used CJ GAT?).

Previously I was using only SS amps with tube pres in ATC speaker system since they have a hard load. I tried a bunch of SS (Krell 402e, Pass xa30.8, Nord nc500, Benchmark ahb2, Mivera 1200), they all sounds nice in their own way but I feel the piece that makes the most difference in my system is the CJ pv5 tube pre. It brings out the 3d soundstage and liquid mids that I was looking for with each amp it paired with.

I love rich liquid golden midrange. So for amp, should I use a tube amp to achieve this goal? I searched around the discussions and what is available in the used market and a couple that interest me now are:

VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk III
Jadis defy -7 Mk 2
VAC Phi 200
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 (NA in used market now, only a premier 140)

I prefer stereo unit to monoblocks. It will be even better if the amp can produce less heat. I live in CA and it is pretty hot in the summer. But if I have to go that route to get the best sound I want, then it is what it is.

Any recommendation (not necessarily to be the amps mentioned above, can also be ss) or advices are welcome.  
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Showing 3 responses by soix

If you really loved the sound with the Innamorata and have a budget of $7k, why are you messing around?  Just buy a new Innamorata ll and enjoy life with your awesome new speakers?  Wells amps just don’t come up for sale often, so buying one used may not be an option at least in the near term. If I were to suggest a workaround, I’d say a modified McCormack DNA 0.5 or DNA 1 would probably be a very good substitute, and they do come up from time to time. 

It sounds like you’ve found what you really like with CJ preamps, so I’d go with a good, neutral SS amp that gets out of he way and lets all that tube goodness through while also giving the JAs plenty of power to fully sing.  Best of luck. 
For a tube amp, and given what you’re looking for, I’d absolutely give Don Sachs Custom KT88 amp a try.  He offers a trial period, which is obviously so helpful, and at $3700 new you’re thousands under your max budget.  FWIW.