c-j buffs: MV-55 vs. Premier 11a

Neither. Search out Premier 5s (monoblocks). IMHO, the best Premier-series amp they made. The last to use EL-34s unless you get the special edition Pr. 8xs (at $10k+/pair). the EL-34s sound a lot better than the 6550/KT88 stuff CJ uses in the later amps. Premier stuff is a class above their already good normal line. Premier 5s can be had from $1500-3500 or so, per pair.

-Ed

I cannot comment on the MV-55 but I've read good and bad on it compared to CJ Premier 11a. I am using the 11a with Svet KT88's and I truly love the sound even though the Svet 6550's weren't bad. The KT88's have a bit more midrange and higher treble but not bright. I haven't tried swapping any of the signal tubes (5751 & 6FQ7) yet. The Premier 11a drives my Thiel CS 1.5's just fine but my larger ARC VT100MKII has more punch and better dynamics. If you like the CJ sound, you probably won't like ARC. I'm still undecided but the ARC just doesn't sound much like a tube amp so why bother? I think you'll benefit from the added power of the CJ 11a for your 2 2's.

For the price I feel that a used 11a is a bargain especially when compared to lesser popular brands that have hit the market in recent years. CJ has been around for a couple decades and the build quality on their products is superb. As a CJ owner, I probably didn't have to convince you of that. I would gladly pay $1600 - $1900 on a used 11a before I spent that much on a new tube amp of lesser quality (won't mention any brands but there are several out there and many of the owners complain that tube gear in general is unreliable). If you buy a used 11a ask about its age. These amps have been around since the early 90's and a newer one will likely be in better shape and well worth a couple hundred dollars more vs. shopping for the lowest price. The 11a will say 11a on the label behind the amp even though the front panel simply says Eleven.

On another note, I found my 11a combined with my PV-14L preamp (not to be confused with Premier 14 preamp) rolled off the highs and lows a little more than I liked. I sold the PV-14L preamp... Its probably a better fit for a system that is very dry or lean in the mids. I have since experimented with the Adcom GFP-750 SS preamp and the ARC LS16 tube preamp. Both of these were more neutral than the PV-14L. The ARC LS16 was a better match for my taste. I still have that nice CJ sound from the 11a w/o rolling off the highs and lows too much. The SS Adcom actually had a broader frequency response high and low with better punch than the ARC LS16 but it didn't have the transparency, air, and soundstage of the LS16. The only reason I mention the preamps is because you might find a huge difference in sound going from a "PV class" CJ preamp to another brand. My PV-14L combined with the 11a had too much midrange and and not enough highs and lows. I haven't tried any "Premier class" CJ preamps... might be a different story compared to their PV preamps.

I'm happy with my gear but I think I need bigger speakers. And like you, I really like Thiel. I'd love to try a set of 2.3's or 3.6's someday. Have fun!

You have a very similar system as I got(same speaker and I have Premier 11a). If I have to choose, I will choose Premier 11a especially if you own the Thiel 2.2 as the 11a really is a match in heaven with the 2.2. MV55 is good but not as relax and effortless if you crank up the volume or listen to soft rock.

I've owned both and used them in the same system. I found the 11a to be much much better than the MV-55, all the way around especially in the bass.
I had an 11a for 2&1/2 years and really enjoyed it.
Then I got a BAT VK-60, and that's a very big step up.
The price for an 11a and a vk-60 are now really close now in the used market.

I owned both the 55 and the Premier 11A at the same time. Speakers were stock Acoustat 1+1s. I found the 11A superior in the bass: tighter sounding, but not too tight and of course it had more power.
However in every other way and overall I clearly preferred the 55. Through the 1+1s, it was richer, brought out the lower mids, and was generally more musical.