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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 2 responses by paulcreed

paulcreed
536 posts
 

I don’t know if this helps but I have the Audio Hungary a50i and Conrad Johnson cav45 S2. I don’t know how much the LTA changes the character of your AH or much about LTA. I think the SE version they upgrade to Teflon caps, don’t quote me. That may take away the Conrad Johnson sound a little.
 

There is definitely a different presentation between the CJ and the AH in my room. The CJ is like a old warm and cozy friend it just plays music and very relaxing. Great imaging, smooth and just a joy to listen to jazz and folky stuff. Being a control amp it is very transparent it sounds like a $5000 preamp on a 60 watt CJ amp.

 

On the other hand the AH shines with fast complex stuff like acid jazz, fusion, rock but also fantastic with normal jazz and folk just a great all around amp. The AH definitely sounds like a tube amp. The AH shines with anything you throw at it. If I could only pick one it would have to be the AH. It’s just in a different league to my ears, it’s fast, crystal clear and it digs deep for information. The CJ calls me to hook it up at times wanting the loose bass rolled off highs and like Conrad Johnson says” it just sounds right” and as strange as it sounds I agree.

paulcreed
536 posts
 

Cellorover I’m running Mullard xf2’s which makes a huge difference. Gives that amp it’s clarity and a sophisticated sound it needs kind of like mellow Teflon caps or a little upgrade. Luckily I have a stash of very nice 6922’s and 7308’s. That 6922 slot has a big impact on the CJ. But not as much as what those xf2’s do. I had a BAT preamp long ago I think it took 12 or 14 preamp tubes, what a pain to retube and I didn’t even like the amp. I like simple things now. 

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