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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
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,469 posts
 
@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
mikelavigne
2,163 posts
 
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.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
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
lancelock
1,087 posts
 
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.
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,469 posts
 
In my listening room, 48 Watts SET is enough to drive my Lansche speaker ( oficial eff 99db/w, but I guess 95db/w).

But I have to save money to afford 80K$ tube amps.

I had spent 30k$ yearly on audio components during last 3 years.

That means I had better not spend any more money for next 2 years
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