2. amps-preamps
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Moving away from tubes. Is this a good idea?

I need a new amp for my Totem Sttafs and REALLY considered tubes. My final thought is that if you don't have a certain pile of money you are only kissing your sister. Have you ever seen my sister? Besides there is a Devel's Tower of a learning curve for me to climb around tubes and I'm really anxious to just sit down and listen without any anxiety (if you know what I mean).

I have an opportunity to pick up a JungSon JA 88-D class A integrated amp. Just one piece of electronics to move onto the rack (but what a BIG piece:-)

I have a relatively med/small room (16'x17'x8'). The speakers are rated 8hm, 88dB, and 100 W max. program.

The amp is rated at 80 wpc, class A, RMS 8ohms.

From what I read the JungSon is about as close to a tube sound via ss as I can get without breaking into the kids xmas fund. I just want a rich full room of acoustical/vocal/instrumental music.

Could you give me your opinion if you think the Sttafs will be underpowered or unmatched.

Thanks.
djh
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rleff
1,065 posts
 
I was like you in the beginning but I decided to move into tubes anyhow; always remember there are many people with many years of tube experience that you can ask questions of and from.
I found that midrange tube sound is what I like,have never found in solid state and that hooked me; I think you should take some time don't rush and make a educated purchase and you will never look back.
Good luck and happy hunting!!!!!
phaelon
1,053 posts
 
"Besides there is a Devel's Tower of a learning curve for me to climb around tubes and I'm really anxious to just sit down and listen without any anxiety (if you know what I mean)."

I once felt exactly the same way and couldn't have been more wrong. I'm sure there are twitchy, high maintenance tube amps out there but it doesn't have to be that way, and tubes can offer a great deal more than the typical warm, fuller sound people identify them as having.

I was also considering Rogue for recommendation but I've never personally owned one so Tvad's words of caution shouldn't be ignored; neither should Atmasphere's, my experience with Totem has been that they come alive with power.
springbok10
711 posts
 
In case it helps you, let me tell you that my Atmasphere tube amps (MA-2) have 58 tubes, the MP-1 has 5 tubes and in 3 1/2 years I have not had to replace even ONE tube nor had any problems whatsoever! (except when I installed the amps, I literally broke one and blew a fuse). So, rest assured, tube amps are as reliable as ss amps and certainly are not necessarily any more work. Admittedly, you may have to bias them occasionally, but if you get an auto-bias set-up, you wont even have to do that.
pehare's avatar
pehare
838 posts
 
run, don't walk
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