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

completely depends on the speaker and room size. those amps are like apples and oranges. they are doing different things.

i had that specific ZOTL Berning 211/845 set of amps in my room over a weekend (Rick Brown, the guy with that ad, brought them) a few years back and did really like it. but not without reservations. my speakers are 97db, 7 ohm, so an easy load. but my room is very large and the amp i was comparing it to is my darTZeel 458 mono blocks. my dart monos command my large room with authority in a way the 60 watt Berning simply cannot, and also play in the same refinement realm as the Berning. so if i want ’everything’ then the Berning is not the ideal choice for me. OTOH my darts are twice the cost of the Berning.

i’ve heard the big JA800’s and they are big and bold, but are not in the same transparency league as the Berning. but they will command a large room with authority.

so horses for courses. both are true to their design intentions.

i’ll take my big darts over either for myself. i also would tend toward an OTL tube amp type sound over a big push pull like the Jadis. but OTL’s have limits.

@mikelavigne

Thanks Mike for your detailed opinion.

After having lived with JA500 for 2 years, i may not go back to it due to too much heat out of it.

But I would like to have a chance to audition David Berning OTL some day.

Thomas

if.....and this is a big IF.....your speakers and room can work with 60 OTL watts (not all tube watts are created equal)......then the Berning 211/845 is the real deal and one of the most transparent tube amps i’ve heard. it’s has top to bottom linearity rare in a tube amp.



i highly recommend it. it is on my short list of favorite tube amps. and Rick Brown is a good guy.

Wow, 80K amps!
 That’s awesome!

 Will never have this coin to drop on audio, if I did I would call,Rob Carver personally.
 He will come to your house, and shoot the shi* w you and help set them up, sign them, and have a beer and hang w you for the night.

i would be on the phone immediately for: https://www.bobcarvercorp.com/silver-seven

Berning without a doubt. I’ve heard the 211/845 and it doesn’t get any better. They are also very powerful for a 60 watt rating.