Facten, I apologize for giving the impression that you were skeptical.
My own speakers are pretty efficient, they're older Coincidents. That being said, it helps to have some power to get the 10" woofers not just playing, but flapping around and pumping out some serious bass. To that end, I've yet to have another tube amplifier outclass the DA60. Even one that is rated for 75+ wpc in pure Class A that a well experienced reviewer felt were twice as strong as that.
After hearing the new Wilson Sashas two weeks ago, and being truly blown away by them, the question after how I could afford them was that owning them would pretty much necessitate me moving away from the type of amplification (low-moderately powered transformer coupled tube) I feel is the best for me, and how would I handle that. Then, my buddy turned to me, and said, "Hey, that DA60 should suit the bill perfectly." Indeed!
A friend of mine, The Doctor (Mechans), uses his DA60 with a pair of JMlabs. He basically sought out a DA60 because he was so impressed that a tube amp could put out that kind of low end performance and smooth, clean, composed, beautiful power.
Trust me, when you see the DA60 in person, its massive transformers will make you take notice. Then, when you go to pick the amp up, you'll know it's got it where it counts. |
Thanks for the clarification, Fernando.
As I put in my first post, I hear the same thing you did in the DA50S versus DA88S comparison in my DA30 versus DA60. The DA30 does sound more sweet and probably more natural, though for the reasons I already stated, I cannot totally say as to why. |
Hope things are well, Pubul57. I presume the speakers your speakers are still Merlins?
Presuming the speakers are Merlins, either of the two amplifiers will be fine, though they will sound different. The DA30 will be a touch sweeter, with subtly better midrange. Aside from your having ever used a solid state muscle amp, the DA60 will likely produce the best low end you've heard with them, though quite different than that of an OTL design, and still retain that beautiful midrange and overall sound you buy a tube amplifier for.
It's really a question of where your tastes lie. As for me, I ALWAYS prefer to hear two components next to each other myself. I don't care who they are, no other person can really provide If you're within driving distance, feel free to get together for the purpose of evaluating which amp you prefer with your loudspeakers. |
Flg2001, where are you getting your information about the DA60 operating in Class A/B?
Jadis has always advertised the DA30 and DA60 as operating in pure Class A. The power consumption figures are listed as being the same as their respective counterparts, the DA50S and DA88S. I can't speak to the DA60 or DA88S in terms of bias with any authority as I've not measured them on the bench, but from getting my Defy DA30 together, it's Class A. Indeed, I was told by a fellow I correspond with at the factory that the Defy DA30 that I own (built in 1990), which is the original Jadis integrated, is biased the most heavily into Class A of all of the integrated iterations, and more reflective of earlier Jadis philosophy if you know what I mean. Overall, the DA60 seems to be mostly of the same mind (there surely are differences, circuitwise, some of which more meaningful than others), apart from doubling the tube count and upping the transformers considerably.
I'm not necessarily refuting you, but I was told the newer generation represents some tidy improvements in both circuit and implementation (for example, a more elegant and efficient selector control) as well as details which provide more optimization with the focus on using KT88 (and 6550/KT90) output tubes, whereas the older variety run very well (I would say optimally) with EL34/6CA7/KT77 tube types. The newer amps supposedly also run the smaller tubes, but for whatever reason, the larger ones are recommended. Anyway, I'm told these things result in what they like to call a more "black and white", as opposed to "grey", kind of sound - see my more clarity, detail, etc., and perhaps bit less romance and sweetness ala the general trend in high-end audio through the past decade. In general, as you said, more reflective of how Jadis thinking has evolved towards the current time.
Why do they offer both old and new product lines? Though I've asked several people, I've never gotten what I consider a good answer from anyone on that. |
Forget about the 60 wpc rating. In fact, it will also easily eclipse those figures running EL34 output tubes. As the literature says, the numbers are incredibly conservative. Think of the traditional Rolls Royce answer in regards to their horsepower figures, which was given with a most confident smile, "Adequate."
The Jadis DA60 is a beast. The proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. It's truly one of the finest audio amplifiers from the standpoint of both build and sound, and will go toe to toe against anything.
Another thing, you have to remember the amplifier operates in Class A, which normally looks half as powerful as Class AB on paper even if that totally goes against real world seat of the pants power.
As an example, I've also owned the Orchestra Reference and DA30. The JOR is rated at 40 wpc (or, I was told via e-mail with the company, 52 wpc with the KT90 tubes I had) in Class AB, while the DA30 is rated at 30 wpc in pure Class A. Regardless of the numbers, the DA30 walks away from the JOR ala its superior transformers, power supply, and circuit.
Currently, I own the DA30 and DA60. In direct comparison, I feel the DA30 is probably a bit more sweet. So far, I cannot totally put my finger as to why. It could be because it's an older vintage, and like most audio components, the direction of things has been more resolution, clarity, refinement, etc., and sometimes, less romance and musicality. Or, it could be that the midrange of the DA30 stands out more simply because the DA60 offers such absolutely incredible low frequency performance.
Compare it to ANY 2 6550/KT88/KT90 tube per channel amp, and all of your skepticism will immediately vanish. |
Yes, it's driving distance. I'm in the Philadelphia area, if you're up for it, we'd just have to hammer out the details.
I also have a pair of Atma M60s, and for what it's worth, am comfortable in laying out all the differences between them and the two Jadis integrateds for you. At a high level, it comes down to the classic differences between OTL and transformer coupled tube amps, kind of a vanilla versus chocolate thing, and my mantra is, "That's why they make both of them." |
