CJ Preamp Teflon Recap

I agree with Welcher. Call Bill Thalmann, he'll give you an honest assessment. I know first hand major improvements that can be realized through upgrading and totally disagree that you need to necessarily "upgrade"  to a more modern CJ unless you just want to. I had Bill upgrade an older CJ for me 5 years back and I'm still thrilled with this pre-amp. There is plenty that can be done to improve the performance of your Premier LS 16 less spending North of 5k on teflon caps from the manufacturer.  

As stated above, Teflon caps have a sound that you may or may not prefer (as does every cap). I'd take @welcher's advice and call the former CJ tech for professional input.

I personally prefer copper foil (and have duelund caps throughout the system), but haven't listened to the most expensive copper teflons. The vcap odam's are also possible upgrades that have received great reviews and might be worth a shot. They're on my list to try.

Go with polypropylene instead of Teflon caps.

Once the Teflon caps are warm, may take a couple hundred hours in all honesty, for them to sound they’re best!

 Get the Teflon caps, and give then a while to stabilize 
 
you will thank yourself after a couple months!

Where have you sent the pre on for service? To CJ or an indie? 

I am usually keen on upgrading parts, but:
- teflon can be a little brittle to my ears, although RelCap is least so
- I prefer the sound of tin and styrene or copper and styrene.

That's with an all ESL system.

Upgrade yes!!

 

Hi
Contact Bill Thalman at www.musictechnology.com. He was a former tech at Conrad Johnson. I have used him several times in repairing tube amplification. He is knowledgable on the teflon caps and can give you an honest opinion. I have no financial interest in him or his company.
By the way, I used to own a CJ Premier 16. It's a great preamp.
John

I would be inclined to repair power supply only and flip it and go with modern CJ

The following blurb (on A’Gon) is by someone who owns/owned the 16LS II (II = wire upgrade).

Anyway, they compare the 16LS II to the GAT and also discuss/question the Teflon cap upgrade VS cost.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-conrad-johnson-premier-16ls-mk-2-2013-10-20-preamplifiers-926...

PS: Check out the poster's (seller) listed system, which is interesting.

DeKay

Hi,

adding Teflon caps or any other cap will not make your preamp more marketable, any mod or upgrade is for your ears only. If not satisfied with its sound sell it and go for a new one (or used). Your preamp has a lot of caps and is risky just to add Teflons becuase they are good. Define first what you want to change in the sound of this preamp and how to get it. If you like the current character but want more of it search for caps with same sonic signature but better, same applies for its electrolytics, resistors, diodes, etc. 

Upgrade the dinosaur asap.

Be prepared for a long break in period. 300-500 hours.

I would be careful with those teflon caps. They have their own sound. on older C gear, would tend to use Jupiter copper foil caps in place of teflon.