Jungson JA88D anyone?

Wait a few months there should be another review out on the 88D and the JA1/JA99 pre/power amp which is the same as 88D but in seperates.

I've had mine for going on 12 months now and posted my thoughts many times here and at AA. You can do a word search if your interested.

On the question of amps that it has been compared to.

Some of the amps that I am aware of that Jungson has replaced in other audio enthusiast systems include Odyssey Stratos, Coda Class A, Sim Audio W5, Plinius SA-102.

One owner I am aware went thru Bryston, Classe and Primare amps. He finally settled on the 88C which is the $400 little brother to the 88D. I also received a email from a enthusiast within the past week who replace a Bryston 2B LP amp/Forte preamp with the 88C. He is delighted with the 88C.

I agree the BFS review was a disappointment. Way too little info, way to much waxing philosophical. Bottom line he was a tube lover and didn't care much for SS but really liked the 88D.

Also notice at the end of the review while not doing any direct comparisons, he felt on the basis of performance, build and features its peers would be the Rowland Concerto ($5800) and Gryphon Callisto ($7000). Again I wish he would have gone into direct comparisons.

If the reviewer of the 88D and Ja1/Ja99c does as he has in his past reviews there should be a great deal more info on which to base a purchase decision.

Feel free to email if you have any questions.

BW Maxx

Review is slated for Enjoy the Music. Wayne Donnelly has already finished the reviews. Not sure when it will be out. Originally anticipated to be out in April or May. Probably more like mid summer.

I haven't heard the Monoblocks. One Audio enthusiast went from either the 88D or JA1/JA99 to the Monoblocks JA50? JA100? and JA2 preamp. He seemed to feel it was a worthwhile upgrade and though it sounded more "organic". Thats the only feedback he posted.

Jungson uses Stepped attenuators 0-99 setting. The 88C ($400) lists "American Jeff Rowlands digital volume control technology" as one of the features, what ever that means.

I'm sure they are very good quality. Looking in the amp, although not a expert by any means, I don't see anywhere that they cheaped out. They are considered by many to be the top SS manufacturer in China. Jungson is also known as "the Chinese Krell". Based on build quality and their stature rather then sounding like Krell.

Speaking of not being able to afford the JA50's. One option might be to get the JA2 preamp paired along with the JA99C. This would basically be the 88D but with a much higher end preamp.

If your serious contact Andy at Sekei. His price and service can't be beat.

BW Maxx

Really great input.

(1) Korsun V8 and Jungson 88D are in the same price range and seem to be prime competitors. The V8 is a OEM for one of the Levinson amps that sells for around $7000. The feedback from your friend seems to parallel what others say about the 2 amps.

Korsun seems to be a high end integrated the follows the mold of classic SS. I think its rated like 250wpc. One thing that really impressed me about the Korsun was the use of dual 1000va transformers. The Jungson seems be more of a high end Hybrid amp, although it dosen't have any tubes. It is said to be sensitive to power cords and can be made to be super quick with the right cord.

(2)Exactly, Jungson may be known as the "Chinese Krell" but its sound from what others have reported is nothing like Krell. I hate to say negative things about a amp I haven't seen or heard myself. However there have been some posts on Audio Asylum by those who have looked in the KAV400 and haven't been real impressed by some of the parts.

(3) I remember reading something about a strange fluid found in one of the Jungson amps. I post on a private forum dedicated primarily to Jungson, but also includes other Chinese Audio. The "strange fluid" reports have been mentioned on the forum. But to my knowledge no one who posts there, has actually experienced this with their own amp.

Again you can contact Sekei if you have any questions about the fluid. They sell other brands. But Andy makes no bones about it he is basically a Jungson dealer.

BW Maxx

Drac why don't you email Fazoid. He has the JA-100 and I'm sure can probably tell you the differences between the JA-50 and JA-100. He also has the 99c. Which I am told is the same power amp section as the 88D.

Yep, if I had the bucks I would go with the JA-50 too.

BW Maxx