CJ CT-5 vs. CT-6

Yes, there is a difference. But as wonderful as is the CT-5, the CT-6 sounds pretty darn good and is the better value of the two. In my opinion.

Jafant,

You will have to ask Bill or Lew the specific reasons why these two products were released in the same time period at the upcoming CES show in January. I believe that they were appealing to two different markets: the CT-5 to the A.R.T. inclined crown, and the CT-6 to the budget/high-end crowd, where CJ has always excelled IMO but seldom sells enough units to be profitable.

Both amps are excellent. But in my opinion the CT-6 is simply too close to the sound of the CT-5, compared to the difference in original price. It's an even better bargain now, as the street price seems to have depreciated a little more than the CT-5.

I wouldn't kick either one out of bed.

LOL. I presume that you are wearing the requisite fake arrow-thru-the-head while you typed this?

Ah, the one of the joys of being an audiophile... the luxury of arguing over which great preamp is "better".

I have heard the Premier 16 (not a MkII) on several occasions, and I concur that it is a great amp. Without having heard them together, I would say that the Premier 16, Premier 17 and the CT-5 all share a very similar sound. I will leave it to each person to decide which is "best".

But I will add again that, IMO, the CT-6 has very a very similar sonic signature, just not as much of it. It is really a remarkable Preamp for the it's price on the used market. If one can afford one of the more expensive models, then please do so.