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Amp recommendations for Joseph Audio Perspectives2

I bought a pair of Joseph Audio Perspectives (Graphene 2 upgraded) and they will arrive next week. I am looking for amp recommendations now.

Currently I am using prism sound DA1 as source, Schiit freya + as tube pre. I also have a CJ pv5 tube pre and really enjoyed the Conrad Jonhson midrange presentation. I am thinking of upgrading the pre to higher end CJ line in near future (like a used CJ GAT?).

Previously I was using only SS amps with tube pres in ATC speaker system since they have a hard load. I tried a bunch of SS (Krell 402e, Pass xa30.8, Nord nc500, Benchmark ahb2, Mivera 1200), they all sounds nice in their own way but I feel the piece that makes the most difference in my system is the CJ pv5 tube pre. It brings out the 3d soundstage and liquid mids that I was looking for with each amp it paired with.

I love rich liquid golden midrange. So for amp, should I use a tube amp to achieve this goal? I searched around the discussions and what is available in the used market and a couple that interest me now are:

VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk III
Jadis defy -7 Mk 2
VAC Phi 200
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 (NA in used market now, only a premier 140)

I prefer stereo unit to monoblocks. It will be even better if the amp can produce less heat. I live in CA and it is pretty hot in the summer. But if I have to go that route to get the best sound I want, then it is what it is.

Any recommendation (not necessarily to be the amps mentioned above, can also be ss) or advices are welcome.  
128x128yuhengdu_tiger
soix
9,518 posts
 
If you really loved the sound with the Innamorata and have a budget of $7k, why are you messing around?  Just buy a new Innamorata ll and enjoy life with your awesome new speakers?  Wells amps just don’t come up for sale often, so buying one used may not be an option at least in the near term. If I were to suggest a workaround, I’d say a modified McCormack DNA 0.5 or DNA 1 would probably be a very good substitute, and they do come up from time to time. 

It sounds like you’ve found what you really like with CJ preamps, so I’d go with a good, neutral SS amp that gets out of he way and lets all that tube goodness through while also giving the JAs plenty of power to fully sing.  Best of luck. 
yuhengdu_tiger's avatar
yuhengdu_tiger OP
87 posts
 
@soix  thanks for the suggestions! McCormack DNA 0.5/1 seems interesting. It was one of those amps I am always interested but never got a chance to try out. 

You are right I really like the sound of CJ pre. But I am also curious about tube amp paired with a tube pre. Like I have been long wanted to hear the 300B mids. I probably would get a VAC pre if I get the VAC 70/70. Anyway, it is just me always wanting to try something new. 

Thanks!
yuhengdu_tiger's avatar
yuhengdu_tiger OP
87 posts
 
@mozartfan Thanks for your inputs! However I found the color in mids is a good thing for my taste. I have previous owned many transparent pre (autoformer based, LDR based, e.g. "The Truth", ss pre) and they does not excite me the way a colored cj pre does (pv10 and pv5). Somehow the mids and 3d of the cj pre gives me the nod in every side by side comparisons of those other more neural preamps.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,460 posts
 
McIntosh, 75 wpc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/McIntosh-MC275-Stereo-Tube-Power-Amplifier-MINT-CONDITION-Play-Beautifully/274449453984?hash=item3fe67653a0:g:z-YAAOSwN41fKa16

CJ, says 160wpc (verify wpc), recent overhaul

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Conrad-Johnson-Premier-1b-tube-amplifier/303247243931?hash=item469af1ba9b:g:mqYAAOSwokxdSzPT
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Have  you looked at the Line Magnetic models?
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