2. amps-preamps
  3. 190089-191271

Audio Research SP16 vs Conrad Johnson PV15

I am interested in adding either of these preamps in my system. My speakers are Martin Logan Requests and power amp is Aragon 4004 mkII. No vinyl; just digital files  from various sources. Any feedback and suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

sds77

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,644 posts
 

Not a CJ preamp but I owned on of their solid state amps, a CJ MF2250

 

There's a reason cj got out of the SS market and ended up buying Mccormack. Not sure if that went anywhere either, but I wouldn't gauge any of cj's tube gear on their SS gear.

erik_squires
16,644 posts
 

Back then the cj were colorful, seductive and the ARC I found analytical. I often heard the ARC with B&W which IMHO was a very bad pairing.

I did get to hear a CJ PV10 vs. an ARC of the same vintage with ML and I thought it was heavenly.  Especially with strings and voices.

If you have a solid SS amp, I really think the cj wins out.

You should listen for yourself as I don’t think there’s a lot of middle ground here.

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