sold it!
I think I answered you in other thread.
Cheers |
Thanks, here are my observations so far:
a) very clean and life-like midrange reproduction
b) nice roundness to accoustic instruments
c) excellent pitch reproducing piano and female voices
d) not very good control and bass tonality compared to the X250
e) not the same degree of soubdstaging and dynamic handling as my reference amp
I have today as the last to make up my mind, as-of-today I am leaning towards keeping the x250 and save $3000.00 in the trade.
Fernando |
Further observations:(4 hours before SuperBowl)
Midrange (voices and strings for example) are much more life-like than the PASS, which sounds a tad analytical and cold.
Bass: A little "hangover" in the bass is coming from the CJ, tubes are Sovtek so there is room for improvement there.
Highs: both very well reproduced (Pass & CJ) but different. Pass amp delivers excellent transients and attack, CJ reprpduction is a little coloured, silvery and sustained, really nice as well.
Bottom Line as-of 4 hours prior the SuperBowl: The CJ is equalizing the race, I sit there and enjoy music instead of pinpointing sonical articfacts.
Thanks all, please keep comments flowing.
Fernando |
Yeah .. it was strange for me as well finding out that Sovtek tubes were installed in this amp, and they have un-even lettering as well so I am pretty sure there are room for improvements there.
What about Svetlana tubes for this amp, are those a good option?
Fernando |
Further Comments (3 hours prior SBowl)
a) Midrange thru the CJ is very clean (I can follow lyrics easily)
b) A little "boominess" in the bass compared to the PASS (this should be expected right??)
Will try Rock and Alternative this next hours, I have been playing mostly Jazz and Latin (Yo-Yo-Ma Brazil, etc..).
Fernando |
Rushton - Agreed with your note regarding spkr positioning, but the pic is a little misleading since the left speaker is almost 1.5 mt from the back wall and 1 mt from the left wall- I have nearly 3 mts between the spkrs so I would try pulling them INSIDE the listening room first to see what happens.
Fernando |
6550 tubes:
Other guys at Aa told me that the best option would be a 6550 fying c tube from Svetlana (St. Peteesburg plant), since the regular svetlanas are really sovtecks relabled from the US importer. (????).
The said that the GE valves are not good at the frequency extremes, and the Tungs are the best but pricey.
Any comments?
Fernando |
Thanks sirspedy - Yes, I know the booklet and read it (this is my second pair of Avalon spkrs, first I got the Avatars some years back).
Problem is that my listening room IS also the living room, not too much room to play with (I won the battle with my wife of not placing ivory elephants on top of the spkrs already !!!)
Saying that, I also feel that I can play with some inches here and there and tune the speakers to a better positioning, taking into consideration all your comments here.
Thanks again.
BTW - I managed to extend the trial with the dealer for a couple of days more.
Fernando |
Last day listening notes :
I think I have now a clear perspective of the differences between this very good amplifiers (I love this hobby!).
The PASS amp is really one of the best SS amps I have had in my system (just second after the Gryphon Anthileon I had some years back with Avalon Avatars). It has a great grip of the musical performance, exploding dynamics but easy to the ear, Very liquid midrange presentation and very neutral.
The CJ amp is a surprise for me, I have had many tube gear and never lasted for a long time with me due to their intrinsic euphonic presentation. The CJ is not a neutral amp, but it posses a magical presentation that makes me enjoy the performance, the lyrics, the strings--- the musician intention. It lacks the bass control and extended highs of the PASS, and I am having a hard time of deciding which to keep!!! (I need to plunk 3KUSD + the X250 to keep the CJ.)
A will appreciate a final word in this thread prior my decision, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience on all the above messages.
Fernando |
What would be an approx. cost for re-tubing both Premier 8-s? |
thanks, will try via mail |
sirspeedy - good advise, thanks - yes, I have also used some guerilla tactics to have a piece at home for the system (which has a large footprint I must say). I will definitly movethe speakers to obtain additional benefits from the CJ.
I had an Audio-buddies party last night, we played with different combinations and I think white smoke appeared !!, I will look for keeping the CJ, retube both units and enjoy.
Thanks for your help (all).
Fernando |
Mejames - The VTL signatures are not currently evaluated in my available options, but I must say that I have had some VTL (60-60 deluxe and triode 75) and Manley gear (Wave preamp, classic 120). I liked their sonic presenation, but decided to move along since they were quite euphonic in my system by that time.
Fernando |
yes - Eclipses are deffinitly keepers.... |
Problem !!!
Some guys at AA are warning me of the retubing process of CJ Premier 8s.
They say it is not just plug new valves and bias them thru their little screw that each valve has, and that I will be crying for such a terrible task.
DO you share this opinions ??? |
Thanks:
No, there was not a cost issue but a design consideration from their perspective, AA = audioasylum.com.
They called it an "engineer nightmare" biasing amps like that.
I am really liking the sound of this amp, I will ask the dealer to re-tube it for me (at my cost if I keep it) and let it run for a week just to make sure everything is OK.
Fernando |
Deal is almost closed! Iam keeping the CJ Premier 8 and trading in my good PASS X250, The CJ is inanother league in terms of musicality, mated great with the Eclipses and... well.. I liked it a lot.
Thanks for your feedback folks, helped me a lot.
Fernando |
OK. Deal is closed!. I kept the Premier 8´s. Thanks all
Fernando |
