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

thomask

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There are two interesting 80K$ tube amps on sale at Audiogon.

downloadffb.jpg

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.

downloadja800.jpg

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...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?
 
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LL21

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Both look great...question:

- what system is this going into? That will very likely count for a lot in the decision
- practically speaking, are you now happy to have a 6-piece all-tube amp system given that you apparently were thrilled with the 4-chassis version...and STILL gave it up due to heat?
 

thomask

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Both look great...question:

- what system is this going into? That will very likely count for a lot in the decision
- practically speaking, are you now happy to have a 6-piece all-tube amp system given that you apparently were thrilled with the 4-chassis version...and STILL gave it up due to heat?
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.
 
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LL21

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Fair enough, I have read great things about the Berning Quadature Z Monos (2nd hand is less than half the 80K you mention above) and runs something 200 watts/channel. Could be the best of these 2 worlds? Higher powered than the 60 watt but without 6 boxes, heat and a ton of tubes that need to be replaced (actually, the Quad Z has several tubes but they are rated for 20,000 hour of life each!).
 
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Ron Resnick

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What speakers am I driving?
 

howiebrou

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I have only heard Jadis but they have always sounded wonderful even on MBL 101e. Would love to try them on my Gobel speakers.
 

bonzo75

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Both look great...question:

- what system is this going into? That will very likely count for a lot in the decision
- practically speaking, are you now happy to have a 6-piece all-tube amp system given that you apparently were thrilled with the 4-chassis version...and STILL gave it up due to heat?

The retail of the Quad Z was around 30. Used price is around 15k euro.

The 211 was just a one off amp commissioned by the US distributor. It was then sent to Robert Hartley, and made rounds to a few audiophiles to try out, but no one bought it.
 
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awsmone

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That’s quite a surprise that the 211 Berning were a one off ?
 
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spiritofmusic

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No market for $80k 845 amps outside true specialists like TMayer?
As a price differential massively higher than the standard line, stands out too much?
Also, why was it's one-off nature never mentioned in the few reviews it had? Not everyone happy to buy a literal unique piece.
 

bonzo75

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That’s quite a surprise that the 211 Berning were a one off ?

There is only that one amp that has been rotating about. It was commissioned by the US distributor and Berning built it for him
 

bonzo75

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No market for $80k 845 amps outside true specialists like TMayer?
As a price differential massively higher than the standard line, stands out too much?
Also, why was it's one-off nature never mentioned in the few reviews it had? Not everyone happy to buy a literal unique piece.

It had only one review, from Hartley?

Edit: the ad says this sample was upgraded from Hartley's review pair
 

spiritofmusic

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I also meant Mike L's comments here. Did he know it was a one-off?
 

Solypsa

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...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?
If I was looking at 'hit the jackpot' amps first place I would start looking would be at the Silbatone neohyb amps. How has your experience been with the 300b amp?
 

Mike Lavigne

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I also meant Mike L's comments here. Did he know it was a one-off?

i'm skeptical the 211/845 ZOTL Berning mono blocks Rick Brown brought to my room for me to listen to were a 'one-off's'. there was nothing half-way or compromised about them.

i suppose it's possible. that would be inconsistent with my discussions with Rick. but i don't personally know other owners of those amps.

i was certainly impressed, and if i had horns or a much smaller room with a very efficient speaker system they would be on my very short list of amplifiers.
 
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bonzo75

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i'm skeptical the 211/845 ZOTL Berning mono blocks Rick Brown brought to my room for me to listen to were a 'one-off's'. there was nothing half-way or compromised about them.

i suppose it's possible. that would be inconsistent with my discussions with Rick. but i don't personally know other owners of those amps.

i was certainly impressed, and if i had horns or a much smaller room with a very efficient speaker system they would be on my very short list of amplifiers.

Wasn't that the same model that went to Hartley? One off doesn't mean it has to be compromised. There is another audiophile from Texas who owns Magico Q7 mk2 who received them, but he didn't buy either, he bought the VAC 450
 
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KeithR

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my guess is its just a special edition Rick sells - sorta like Cary did with the F1 editions for Upscale Audio

i'm surprised we don't see more of this in audio - limited editions of product. its very common now in the watch universe.
 
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thomask

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If I was looking at 'hit the jackpot' amps first place I would start looking would be at the Silbatone neohyb amps. How has your experience been with the 300b amp?
I had been happy with Silbatone fitted We 300b made in 40's for 10 years in small space.(4m wide 6m deep 2.5 m high)

But after moving to larger listening room, it does not have enough headroom to drive Lansche 4.1.

I am looking for horn speaker above 105 db/w to work with Silbatone.
 
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Empirical Audio

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I would buy another Tesla instead....
 
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