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Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Linear Tube Audio 40 Reference Amps

Hi All -

I have started a few threads lately and owe many of you responses to questions. Most recently, I asked about system synergy after plugging a Conrad Johnson ART150 and finding out it didn’t quite deliver what I had hoped.

To the point, I am looking for a power tube amp with warmth, air and decay. I’m looking for an ethereal quality and not focused on bass response per se.

My current system:

Innuos ZENith
Merason Dac1
Linear Tube Audio MicroZotl preamp
Audio Hungary 100 watt power amp (out for repair, unfortunately)
Puritan 136 Filter
QLN prestige three speakers (8 ohm, 87.5 sensitivity)
Cardas Clear Cygnus speaker cables
Cardas Clear Power

Room is very large with high ceilings (11 feet)

 

The system above achieves an incredible sound to my ears - ethereal, insanely good imaging and a holographic quality, lots of air, with notes hanging in the air in a way I’ve rarely experienced. My challenge is I keep having maintenance issues with the Qualiton amp and want to have a backup amp when it’s out for repair.

I’m NOT looking for a neural sound. I have realized, for my tastes, I want an amp that facilitates a relaxing experience.

I recently demoed the Conrad Johnson ART amp and found it sounded incredibly neutral to my ears. Almost like a solid state amp…

My question to everyone, given my tastes, how would the LTA 40 Reference with Mullard tubes or the Conrad Johnson 120se sound?

I love the combo of the LTA preamp with the Qualiton amp because you get both detail and a tube tone. But I’m wondering if the LTA 40 Reference might be too SS sounding? Likewise, based on my experience with Conrad Johnson ART 150, will I find the Classic 120se also too neutral sounding - lacking what I understood the CJ warmth of glow I had hoped for?

Your feedback is much welcomed.

128x128bluethinker

Showing 3 responses by cellorover

cellorover
417 posts
 

@bluethinker66 

Your ears are serving you well. KT150s are more neutral and add bass control. The CJ Classic 120 SE with EL34 and the CJ Slovak 6922 will deliver a warmer sound. It will be a little to the warm side of neutral. As I wrote before the 120 SE is a wonderful amp and I use that not the ART 150. Your room and cables will also impact the sound, but you need to decide how far off the neutral center you want to be. The non SE 120 is a very good amp and may be closer to what you want. The Teflon caps add more purity and detail. A non-SE can also be upgraded later on. 

Will the LTA have enough power for you?

Always happy to have a call.
 

 

cellorover
417 posts
 

@paulcreed. Thanks for adding some more food for thought. The CAV45S2 is a sleeper. Good review in Tone. It is basically the Classic 65 with 3 inputs and a volume control. I love its simplicity. You should upgrade the tubes to Sophia Electric EL34 and either CJs Slovak 6922 or Mazda 7308. Tube rolling transforms the sound. It is not as clean as the Classic 62SE but you can just listen to it. 
 

@bluethinker. Give your room, you may get away with the Classic 62SE but you may need a more efficient speaker.

Since we are talking integrateds, you may want to look at the VAC. It has the power, is built well, and is not a neutral as some of the other amps you have been discussing, but very musical and enjoyable with good bass control. Conversely, their 100 watt amp may just work for you.

 

cellorover
417 posts
 

@bluethinker glad to hear that the 120 was the right choice. I had a stick (16) of NOS Mullard EL34 and sold them. I found that the Sophia Electric Grade A EL34 were just as good for a lot less. Call CJ and get their NOS Slovak 6922. They are very good.

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