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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
Post removed 
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,485 posts
 
@fleschler 

$38K speakers, $15K amp, $15K pre-amp $7K phono/trans $15K analog, $5K DAC, $5K cabling, $5K tweaks

It sounds like a reasonable plan.

Thomas
mglik
911 posts
 
shkong,
I did not know about the Silbatone costing $100,000!Something I don’t understand is with an amp like that, how can you possible settle for a Line Magnetic? Only because it has more headroom? Don’t you gravely miss the glorious sound of the Silbatone? Believe the LM is 845 based. I am a die hard 300B guy and tried an 845 in a Viva Solista once and sold it right away. It seems an 845 may have more headroom but lacks the wonderful musicality of a great 300B amp. And, G-d forbid, a SS “sand amp”.
Actually, that is another Forum question!
You mentioned a WE speaker system. Seems the financial is not a significant issue, so hunt for one and go for it! And enjoy the Silbatone. Seems there is no other amp like it. I understand that the 300B is the only tube that was specifically developed for voice/music.
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,485 posts
 
@ mglik


There are three factors to choose LM 508 over Silbatone which I keep it under storage.

My listening space has high vault and open to the second floor, thus 8 watts Silbatone has not enough headroom.

The second one is to save Nos WE 300b made in 40's which I already had run more than 10k hours.


The third factor is Line Magnetic 508 is quite good after tube rolling almost approaching 85% of Silbaton in transparency and details.


But i am looking for ways to get Silbtone used with more efficient speaker.


charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 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


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