Hey there, this is my first post here though I've been lurking for a long time!
I'm setting up a system based around the Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene speakers I've heard on multiple occasions. After listening to many different speakers including B&W, Magico, Sonus Faber and Wilson, the JA speakers were closest to the sound I was looking for. I've heard them with amplifiers from Prima Luna, Vitus Audio and Doshi. The speakers sounded great in all three systems, and I can't quite recall that there were major differences between the three as there were other factors involved. What's interesting is that the speakers sounded similar enough on both the $4000 Prima Luna and $60000 Doshi setup, indicating they should be pretty easy to drive.
I'm looking to buy either an integrated amplifier or separates for under $30K total. Bonus points if it has a good phono stage and/or DAC. This is for a living room, so certain brands are a no-go due to aesthetic preferences. The Doshis are quite a bit above my budget, and I have a preference for solid state amps due to lower maintenance. The Vitus sounded good but I'm not a fan of the design and lack of volume knob on that unit. I'm leaning towards brands like Luxman or Accuphase which I've heard, but not on these speakers. Prices for Accuphase are reasonable here in Europe by the way.
I'm looking for something that won't be overly bright, and can be listened to for hours without tiring. Other amps I've heard and enjoyed, though not with JA speakers:
* Accuphase E-5000 with Audio Vector R6 - nice, balanced sound
* Luxman L-507 with Audio Vector R6 - didn't pay enough attention to this combo as it wasn't their flagship integrated, but it didn't sound bad
* Gryphon Diablo 333 with Wilson Sasha DAW -- great sound, though I can't have that in a living room
* Dartzeel LHC-208 with Harbeth SHL5+XD - nice warm sound
* Riviera Labs Levante with Blumenhofer Genuin FS3 -- great sound though a tad dry
* EAR 861 with Devore O/96 - very rich sound, was missing some bass control perhaps
I have easier access to certain brands than others, especially the european brands, though there is always the option of buying and selling second hand components if I can't borrow one. Two options I'm contemplating currently are: Luxman M10X/C10X and Accuphase P-4600/C-2300. The integrated L-509Z and E-5000 are also options. I'm not totally against tube amps, as long as they don't add excessive tube coloration to the sound. The Doshis are tube amps after all, and sounded great.
I'd appreciate thoughts, ideas and recommendations! The JA speaker specs are here https://www.josephaudio.net/p3specs
Unfortunately I haven't gotten a reply from contacting JA through their website, though I will try again at some point.
I'm setting up a system based around the Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene speakers I've heard on multiple occasions. After listening to many different speakers including B&W, Magico, Sonus Faber and Wilson, the JA speakers were closest to the sound I was looking for. I've heard them with amplifiers from Prima Luna, Vitus Audio and Doshi. The speakers sounded great in all three systems, and I can't quite recall that there were major differences between the three as there were other factors involved. What's interesting is that the speakers sounded similar enough on both the $4000 Prima Luna and $60000 Doshi setup, indicating they should be pretty easy to drive.
I'm looking to buy either an integrated amplifier or separates for under $30K total. Bonus points if it has a good phono stage and/or DAC. This is for a living room, so certain brands are a no-go due to aesthetic preferences. The Doshis are quite a bit above my budget, and I have a preference for solid state amps due to lower maintenance. The Vitus sounded good but I'm not a fan of the design and lack of volume knob on that unit. I'm leaning towards brands like Luxman or Accuphase which I've heard, but not on these speakers. Prices for Accuphase are reasonable here in Europe by the way.
I'm looking for something that won't be overly bright, and can be listened to for hours without tiring. Other amps I've heard and enjoyed, though not with JA speakers:
* Accuphase E-5000 with Audio Vector R6 - nice, balanced sound
* Luxman L-507 with Audio Vector R6 - didn't pay enough attention to this combo as it wasn't their flagship integrated, but it didn't sound bad
* Gryphon Diablo 333 with Wilson Sasha DAW -- great sound, though I can't have that in a living room
* Dartzeel LHC-208 with Harbeth SHL5+XD - nice warm sound
* Riviera Labs Levante with Blumenhofer Genuin FS3 -- great sound though a tad dry
* EAR 861 with Devore O/96 - very rich sound, was missing some bass control perhaps
I have easier access to certain brands than others, especially the european brands, though there is always the option of buying and selling second hand components if I can't borrow one. Two options I'm contemplating currently are: Luxman M10X/C10X and Accuphase P-4600/C-2300. The integrated L-509Z and E-5000 are also options. I'm not totally against tube amps, as long as they don't add excessive tube coloration to the sound. The Doshis are tube amps after all, and sounded great.
I'd appreciate thoughts, ideas and recommendations! The JA speaker specs are here https://www.josephaudio.net/p3specs
Unfortunately I haven't gotten a reply from contacting JA through their website, though I will try again at some point.
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