Single ended Power amp recommendation

I own SAP J2001 (the big model with twin 12" woofers). This is a very easy speaker to drive -- high nominal impedance and 99 db efficient. I use to use a push-pull 45 tube amp that put out about 6 watts and that was sufficient. I now use a parallel single-ended 2a3 amp. However, both amps are out of your specified price range.

What don't you like about the CJ amps? I would not assume that they are unsuited to this speaker. However, if you are fishing around for alternatives to try with the J2001, I would focus on amps using the PX25, 45, 300B or 45 tubes. Single-ended 45s and 2a3s might be a bit short on power if you listen to demanding music at high volumes (e.g., large-scale choral music).

In the price range specified, used equipment would be the best bet (e.g., Art Audio PX25 amp).

This is a great speaker that somehow manages to sound musical with almost anything matched to it, while making any change none-the-less easily discernible.

I just visited the SAP website out of curiosity. The model shown as the J2001 Mk.II is completely different from the speaker I and Rgwrjs own. What we have are quite large floor-standing models with two 12" woofers in a Jensen/Onken bass reflex cabinet and a midrange/tweeter unit that floats above the woofer cabinets on a magnetic suspension system. It was my understanding that the version of the J2001 we have was being discontinued because the manufacturer thought it is too expensive to make.

I mention this because the various speakers in the SAP line are quite dramatically different in how they sound and behave with various amplifiers. The speakers we have are very easy to drive and sound good with just about any amplifier (of course they sound their best with good amps). However, other models in the SAP line can be much more difficult to match with amplifiers. For example, the Quartettes have a leaner, more detailed sound and can be (for my tastes) quite overbearing if not matched to warmer sounding amps. The Quartette also appears to be electrically a more difficult load and it requires more power and amps that can control its bass drivers than its 95 db/w and nominal 8 ohm rating would suggest.

Good luck in your search. I am sure you will find a combination that is rewarding. This line of speakers makes most of the speakers on the market sound constipated and boring by comparison.

I had a pair of Quartettes for a short while before trading up to the older model of the J2001 (twin). The Quartettes do certain things that few speakers outside of big horn systems and old Western Electric 755-based systems can do. In particular, they hve a sense of energy, vibrancy and astonishing focus. This is a fun speaker that makes most others sound constipated by comparison.

But, they do have a somewhat lumpy bass response, light-weight upper bass and prominent midrange that can be problematic with orchestral music. These things can be addressed to some degree with proper matching equipment and set-up. The Quartettes are the most demanding speakers I know of in that respect. They are particularly sensitive to proper toe-in. Too little toe-in and some of that incredible focus is lost; too much and the stage collapses.
While they are rated at being something like 95-96 db efficient, they are apparently a very difficult load because so many amps I heard them with cannot control the woofer, making the response very uneven.

I know that Vincenzo, the designer, insists on tube amplification, but I've heard this speaker work quite well with the Hovland solid state amp.