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Which one to choose between two 80K$ tube amps?

There are two interesting 80K$ tube amps on sale at Audiogon.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9jhj0-david-berning-co-211-845-otl-tube

The first one is David Berning OTL design with output of 60 Watts.

it looks beautiful. But I had never used OTL amp yet.

I am curious how it sounds with high efficiency speaker.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa27ii-jadis-ja800-flagship-tube-amplifier-six-chassis-best-ever-made-nos-new-old-stock-tube

The second one is Jadis JA800 with 6 pieces and 400watts.

I had used JA500  (only 4 pieces with 350 Watts) from 2000 to 2002 to drive B&W Notilus 801 with utmost authority and unbelievable slam.

It was kind of lifetime experience to own this beautiful and overbearing monster.

But I could not use it during summer time in modest size room.

Thus I let it go and got Silbatone 300B SET amp to drive efficient full range speaker.

350 Watt to 8 Watt

If you have money or hit the Jackpot, which one will you go for?




128x128shkong78

Showing 10 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

shkong,

That’s quite a compliment you bestowed on the Line Magnetic 508ia. It has a well executed circuit and using 300b to drive the 805 output is a smart choice.. I believe this is an underrated amplifier with excellent performance/cost value.

Charles


charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
What was a really enjoyable, interesting and insightful thread has taken a different turn with the latest posts. I hope that this thread restores/retains the original good vibes and camaraderie. I just believe what people decide to spend is their own business.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
shkong,
One thing is abundantly clear, you know what type sound you like. I believe that you will eventually have your Western Electric vintage horn system. I don’t think you’re going to settle for less.

Your Line Magnetic 805 output tubes SET is praised for its organic and beautiful sound quality. It will very interesting to read your impressions of an Atma-Sphere OTL amplifier if you pursue that route. They are also highly regarded as well. No doubt two different approaches. I wonder how they’ll differ driving your Lansche4.1 speakers.
Charles
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charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Avant-Garde speakers are very interesting. Some listeners/owners find them to sound stunningly good. Then there are those who can’t tolerate their overt (in their opinion of course) coloration. It’s always YMMV with High End Audio.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Ralph,

Thanks for that explanation, it makes  sense,and explains (to some extent anyway)  what/why I heard differently between my SET (class A triode 300b) and my 100 watt push pull( class A/B pentode tubed 6550) amplifiers. Some degree of 5th harmonic distortion presence.

Charles.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
atma-sphere,
I understand that 3rd order harmonic distortion amplifiers generally have less overall distortion. But, is 3rd order harmonic distortion as easily/naturally tolerated by the human ear as is 2nd order harmonic distortion which is quite well tolerated. Some would say that in fact 2nd order Harmonic distortion is congruent with human hearing.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
mglik,
Agree 100% that the Berning OTL and the Kondo Ongaku could both be considered to be uber quality amplifiers yet as you note unquestionably different sounding. I don’t see how one could be declared superior to the other. They will simply appeal to different types of listeners.

Lean/cooler tonality(some might say more transparent ) OTL versus fuller body/flesh on the bone (some might say warmer) SET. Distinctly different forms of a particular harmonic distortion character. 3rd order versus 2nd order. There are devout fans of each. No right or wrong here.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
The VAC Statement  is I'm certain  a fantastic amplifier.  It's high power push pull tubes which go in a different as would the big Jadis amplifiers. The Berning  and Lamm ML3 would definitely intrigue and interest me much more.  Berning OTL versus the Lamm SET on appropriate speakers would be something quite special. This is what's best audio forum territory 😊.
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Mike,

Thanks for your informed reply. I should have been more clear with my inquiry. I know based on my listening neither the Dan’Agostino or Boulder are what the OP is searching for. You characterized the no NFB/simple circuit/linear genre of tube amps very well. I was just curious on purely sonic grounds what you thought of the other two amps in light of   your vast exposure..
Based on my limited exposure to both I’d also choose D’Agostino over the Boulder. Given my taste, the Berning over both of them.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Hi mikelavigne,

Of all the various posters here you are the one who has actually heard the Berning amplifier. Not only that but you've heard it in 'your' audio system. You are very impressed with it. I do not doubt its excellence. The Dan'Agostino and Boulder amplifiers were mentioned as similarly priced components.  I've heard amps from both brands but only under audio show conditions. Are you familiar enough with either to render an opinion as to how they compare to the Berning?

Charles

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