I needed a decent
amp for my workshop in replacement of
the Rotel RB981, which is not a particularly bad
amp, but it has its shortcomings. I build a lot
of different speakers and people bring in a lot
of speakers with the all too common 85-90 dB
sensitivity, speakers my SET valve amps simply
can't play very loud. If only I could have some
of the midrange quality of my SET amps - and
60-100 watts, I'd be more than happy.
I've recently listened to a few newer class A
amps like the Clearaudio 50 wpc power amp and I
certainly liked what I heard. Now, 50-100 watts
class A solid state amps are not the most common
thing on the shelves of hifi stores and for some
time I was seriously considering a 100 wpc PP
valve amp of some kind, but valve amps usually
requires a lot of tweaking to perform their best
and for my workshop amp I felt more inclined to a
plug'n-play solution and it wouldn't hurt with
some solid watts that could at least try to push
some life into dull bass drivers.
After a lot of discussions
with one of my friends, I decided to try out the
JungSon JA88D amplifier, actually an integrated
amp, and now in an "-09" version with a
few improvements compared to former model
introduced 2003. I like the fact that this amps
has been marketed for a number of years and that
a new model really only has a few changes based
on the comments from reviews. It seems the basic
design has something right and my salute to
JungSon for not making changes for the sake
change and pure marketing.
The criticism on the -03 version was basically
minor noise and hum and a slightly problematic
treble performance when run at high output. It
appears all these problems are gone. The volume
control circuitry is probably state of the art,
but the remote and the speed with which the
volume control works is definitely not up to
B&O standard. However, I use the Jungson with
my WOT line stage and the JungSon volume setting
is on steady "55", thus no problem.
The JA88D-09 has excellent sensitivity and
there's really no need for a line stage, but the
thing is that it just sounds a tiny bit better
with my WOT line stage. Maybe a little second
harmonic distortion really balances the JungSon's
dominant 3rd harmonic distortion making it a
little less "clean", because run alone,
this amp is a clean performer with an unusual
transparent midrange, a solid bass and - to my
ears - clean treble. Maybe they have improved on
treble performance as well.
This amp is HUGE!
Weighing close to 30 kgs and running 2 x 80 watts
in pure class A, I had expected a top panel
suitable for frying eggs. This is definitely not
the case. Compared to my 6AS7 valves (Audio
Mirror) consuming some 300 watts, this Jungson is
cool. Apparently the 1.8 square meters of copper
cooling panels are doing a great job of getting
rid of heat.
The amp draws an idle current of 0.75 amperes,
making ~173 watts, although my power meter tells
80-90 watts due to the voltage/current phase
shift. The MC and line stage will consume very
little power compared to the output stage, and I
guess this amp really does 2 x 80 class A watts.
With a sound quality like
this for ~700 USD (Cattylink, Hong
Kong), even the thought of making some diy solid
state seems pointless. We couldn't even buy the
components for this price. In short this amp is
awesome and must be a serious competitor to amps
many times its price.
(In total I paid 1077 USD incl. shipping + an
additional DHL fee of 90 USD. For DK customers
there may be an additional 25% VAT of the 215 USD
value stated on shipping papers).
Having mentioned my
supplier above has caused some response
from people very unsatisfied from buying gear
from Cattylink. To my knowledge only Cattylink
and Ornec sell Jungson equipment from Hong Kong.
Whenever I buy components from Hong Kong or China
I take my chances and I'm willing to loose my
money. I never expect any return of goods, any
warranty or whatever, so don't take the above as
a recommendation of a reliable supplier. I can't
tell. Use google to find out about your supplier
and make up your mind if you're willing to risk
your money. I searched Cattylink and found good
and bad. If you're wearing belt and suspenders, I
suggest buying from a local retailer.
Read reviews:
Australian
Hi Fi Magazine September 2006 Review on JA-88D
World Hi
Fi Review on JA-88D
Feb. 2010, I had this mail from
Finland:
Hello, I have noticed that you have been excited
about your amplifier, congratulations , good
choice! Just wanted to tell more about the
history behind that amplifier and the other
JungSon amplifiers...In the 90`s there was a
Swedish high-end brand called Forsell. The man
behind the brand was Peter Forsell, Swedish
doctor/dentist who develop lot of stuff in the
medical purposes. He was also interested about
high-end and started to build very good
equipments based on his innovations, example
Forsell air reference turntable wich basically is
kept off the ground with compressed air...Nice
idea! I dont know what exactly happened but I
think he just get bored developing more in the
audio world, however, the circuitry and biasing
technology were adopted then in a few
brands, at least there is Adyton and Oasis
audio. The brand Oasis audio were sold in the USA
sometime ago and the look of those is exactly
like...you can guess, same as JungSon has. I
think Peter Forsell sold licenses to build
amplifiers based on his circuitry for Norwegian
Adyton and to the Oasis audio who then started to
manufacture amplifiers in the China, Jungsons
factory. So, you basically have Forsell amplifier
which costed insane numbers in the 90`s! There
propably is mistakes here or there so don't get
all my info too serious but just wanted to share
my info :) p.s just ordered 4pcs of Eminence
10" from the Thomann...Regards, Niko.
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