Should I get the Art Audio Jota

Depends on what your musical tastes, sonic priorities, room size, and average listening volume is.

There is a BIG difference between a 70wpc PP 6550 amp and a ~24 wpc SET amp. Not trying to imply that one is better than the other, just that there is a big difference in how music is presented - especially in the midrange and bass.

I really suggest that you audition the AA Jota or any other high-powered SET amp in your system before buying. It will take a week or so of serious listening to really appreciate most of the benefits (and drawbacks) of PP vs. SET.

BTW, I own an Art Audio PX-25 and love it.

Hi Phaelon,

I agree with Misskuma, the CJ will probably assert it's own approach to sound over the Art Audio Jota. I've tried several preamps ahead of my AA PX-25 and the sonic influences are readily apparent. I ended up going with a passive transformer volume control to retain the transparency and tonal purity.(not suggesting you should do the same)

But, there's no way to know until you try. Test it out, but I would highly suggest using a preamp intended to be used in a SET system. Or, at least one that was designed with SET in mind as an option. There are certain unique aspects or traits (and highly desirable ones) that just are not existent in many PP amps. It is important that they are preserved.

There are plenty of choices significantly different from CJ. Consider an Art Audio, Shindo, Air Tight, etc.

Of course, any well-designed, well-executed, linestage should perform well in any system and let through everything preceding it. I think most of us will agree that there are many that fall short of this.

Phaelon - "I wasn't aware that there were preamp designs specific to single ended amps. "

Hi, I didn't mean to imply there were actual topologies specific to preamps used with SET amps. Just that there are sonic unique sonic traits in the best SET amps - their own form of transparency, tonality, etc. that is not readily apparent or existent in push-pull amps. So, if a designer/manufacturer is only fine tuning their preamps via PP amps, they would never notice these traits missing or degraded.

I'm not saying SET is inherently better than PP, each has it's benefits, just that is distinctly different in it's sonic presentation. Preamp designers who also build SET amps or work with them make sure these traits are preserved.

Phaelon - "I thought most of the posts would concern pairing a single ended amp with the Minis."

Yeah, that's one of the reasons why so few people achieve satisfaction out of attempts with SET. It's not just about the amp/speaker combination.

In my experience, SET setups are far more sensitive/revealing of total system synergy, than push-pull. It's not a simple plug-n-play experiment like using high-powered amps. Your really have to be willing to go over your entire system with a fine-toothed comb to get the glory.

That, doesn't have to mean spending tons of money, just getting the proper match of pieces. Input and output impedances are far more critical, load curves for speakers, capacitance of cables, etc.

And, upstream components are often ruthlessly revealed. Which is actually better than the flipside of that coin where upstream units prevent the full potential of the SET amp from being heard.

Anyway, back to your initial question, the high-current Jota should do pretty well with the Minis. Though, you may never know exactly how well until you try a different preamp.

The one good thing is used Art Audio amps hold their value extremely well. You can check it out for a few months and if the match is not your liking, then you can resell it for close to, if not exactly, what you paid for it.

Phaelon -

"Since I acquired the Modwright, there seems to be just a little too much of a fuzzy warm aura that I'm attributing to the Premier 11a."

Tomryan -

"By the way, the CJ 17 and 11 are both a bit "fuzzy" sounding, kind of like looking outside through a window screen."

Ultimately, it's your ears and wallet who have to be final judge. But, good tube equipment has evolved a long way since the heyday of the 17LS and Premier 11a. Resolution/refinement/transparency being a few of the biggest areas. (musicality is open for debate)

Since you like the overall sound, except the fuzziness, have you considered comparing the 17LS & 11A to CJ's newer offerings? I'm sure they have come a long way.