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 21 responses by yuhengdu_tiger

Also anyone has a suggestion where should I put a VAC 70/70 tube amp? It is 18.25 x 18.25 x 8.75inch. Currently I plan to put it under my lifted av/stand. It is 100lb heavy, anyone has a suggestion of equipment rack/stand I can put this thing one or under? 
@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for the advice! Years ago I used to have the 135lb Krell 402e amp on a cabinet. I eventually installed wheels on the supporting cabinet after my back starts to hurt when moving the amp.

So I just ordered some wheels for the salamander cabinet and racks, just to save me some back pain.

I agree the appearance of equipments plays an important part! You just can’t take your eyes off certain gems.
@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for sharing. Do you know if there are wheels options for the JA perspectives? I have isoacoustics GAIA feet to put them on my floors but it would be nice to have wheels installed. 

I ordered a VAC renaissance 70/70 mk3 to match the vac renaissance mk5 pre for the perspectives2. Will see how it goes.  
@elliottbnewcombjr I don't have official number for the sensitivity but I got it from the discussions that is would be around 84db to 86db 2.83v/m. 

David Joseph recommend the power to be > 60wpc. 


@twoleftears  I think one of the designers told me it is recommended to have > 60wpc. Thanks for the suggestion. The LTA ZOTL40 looks compact!
@yabe1951 Thanks for the detailed info. I hope I can see a stereo DNA 1 in the market. I can only find mono blocks version now. Are the Plitron transformer update also applicable to the stereo version? 

Right now I don't have specific knowledge about positioning. Are there any resources I can referring to? Thanks!
@twoleftears  Yes I looked into some of the models but seems that they are more about integrated tube amps? I did not think of using integrated before, but the Line Magnetic do look interesting. The 508IA has 45w per channel, I am wondering if it will be enough to drive the JA speakers.
Btw, I heard the speakers paired with a Wells Audio innomorata ss amp and it is amazing.

I would throw in options of SS that I am interested (which I read or heard that sounds close to tube amp):

Wells Audio Innomorata (no used listings shown right now)
Luxman m900u
@radiohead99  Cool Thanks. Do you know what is the difference between Innamorata II and Innamorata Level II? It is hard to tell from the web page's info. 
@soix  thanks for the suggestions! McCormack DNA 0.5/1 seems interesting. It was one of those amps I am always interested but never got a chance to try out. 

You are right I really like the sound of CJ pre. But I am also curious about tube amp paired with a tube pre. Like I have been long wanted to hear the 300B mids. I probably would get a VAC pre if I get the VAC 70/70. Anyway, it is just me always wanting to try something new. 

Thanks!
@mozartfan Thanks for your inputs! However I found the color in mids is a good thing for my taste. I have previous owned many transparent pre (autoformer based, LDR based, e.g. "The Truth", ss pre) and they does not excite me the way a colored cj pre does (pv10 and pv5). Somehow the mids and 3d of the cj pre gives me the nod in every side by side comparisons of those other more neural preamps.
@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for the great suggestions. I heard the mc275 with a B&W bookshelf in an audio shop years ago and it was truly impressive. I have to admit that the mc275 was the tube amp that got me into the tube gear realm. 

BTW the CJ 1b looks massive!
@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for the info. I just grabbed a VAC renaissance mk5 tube pre from ebay at what I believed a good price. Now I am leaning between the mc275 and VAC 70/70. They are relatively similar in power. Do you know how different would this two sound?

@jond  Wow these Air Tight amps are beautiful! Yeah unfortunately I don't have space for the huge monoblocks. It is more of a wife approval thing. One day,... if I got a spacier house.
I found that I am normally listen to the perspectives in mid to low volume. My preamp is VAC renaissance v tube pre. 

Still looking for amp suggestions. Any low power class A amps around 30wpc? 


I have kids running around and I just realized how hot it can get after getting to use it.
@jond  The sound is very good actually. I was thinking maybe I don't need that much power since I normally my preamp never gods beyond a quarter of the volume pot. 

Then I can save some space and reduce some heat..