Very nice system in Virtual Systems. Thank You for pitching RHB Dezigns.
Good to read that Bob can mod/repair CJ gear, especially, since Bill Thalmann has retired. I am excited to see (hear) the newest version of CAV45 next Spring.
I have a PV-12L. It’s been the core of my system for a quarter century! I have the good fortune of living only an hour and a half from Bob Backert an expert modifier of cj preamps. I recently took my line stage to Bob to clean noisy volume and input selector knobs and in the process he mentioned he had developed a much improved circuit to replace a decades old design of his. All of his work are circuits of his design including his patented “Greenforce” power supply. And yes, you can always contact him at RHB Dezigns if you want to discuss upgrades to CJ gear and send it to him.
Started with a PV-5 then changed to a PFR (which was a huge improvement) then sidetracked to an Ayre K-5xemp but now looking to go back to CJ with a GAT series 2 which will probably be my last preamp purchase. CJ service has always been great.
Old thread, but I can’t resist shouting at the top of my lungs how much I love my Conrad Johnson Classic 120. I’ve only had it for about a month, but it is a magical and musical piece of gear. I could listen to music all day. Zero listening fatigue.
I have to pull myself away… otherwise I end up spending 4-5 hours at a time just listening and enjoying music.
By the way, I own a Luxman class A amp and have demoed Pass Labs xa amps in my home. Neither came remotely close to being as musical, rich and engaging as the Conrad Johnson classic 120!
I've owned an array of CJ, Sonic Frontiers, McIntosh and Audio Research gear. Conrad Johnson eliminated electrolytics in the audio path and power supply of preamps years ago. Their preamps in particular are superb at reproducing low level detail and tight instrument placement when playing live recordings made in a real acoustic space with proper miking such as Jazz and Classical recordings.
I have had the pleasure of enjoying many of CJs products over the years- from PV10B to Premier 17LS2, MV55, MV 60, Premier 11a etc and am now looking at their Phono Preamps. They are kind of like 911s....evolution rather than revolution ( but thankfully without a change from air cooled to water cooled). I expect them to not only survive but thrive under new ownership.
I've had my Classic 2SE for about five years.... still love it, just put in a new JJ 6922 and it sounds great. How long that tube will last only time will tell. That's the only complaint I've ever had with this pre.... it eats lesser quality tubes for lunch ! Otherwise, an awesome preamp for it's price range. Would buy another c-j product in a heartbeat.
Hi, i am a long time Mfgrs Rep in the audio business, i own several pieces of CJ, both owners I know, if your amp does not sell, send me an email and i will make an offer, so if you do not get your price email me at: jblandoema@gmail.com or 816-305-8000. I represent several high end Audio companies, thanks, john
"the best" is so objective to ears" Everyones ears are different to what they hear. I have been through so many preamps, stereo and mono amps, in my 35+ years of audio, its insane, i am so tired or buying, selling etc etc.
I have found MY keepers, they are from Steve McCormack audio. he is a genius, and CJ helped (will give you an idea of what i have)
My 2nd system uses the RORbert Carver signature 600 amp (another keeper !!!!!)
backup amps Odyssey Stratos, amazing clarity, and detail.
I’m done for a while...............
BUT, still need a cd player thats RELIABLE. too bad they DO NOT exist !!!!!!!
pioneer elite dv-79avi has been good so far.......................
The MF 2250A is still a very good amp, although a little older. Second, Evolution 2000 was a cool project (hybrid) as well. Grab one if it comes across your radar. Happy Listening!
johnlnyc, I’ll bet the CJ and Krell sounded great. For seveal years I used a PV10 with Classe solid state and thoroughly enjoyed the sound.
I still use a premier 14 most of the time in my system. Also, agree with the “classy” comment. Great customer service over the years for me with either questions or repair service.
Looking forward to seeing what CJ brings out in the future.
I looked into a new C-J preamp when recently upgrading my system For years I have been using and enjoying a C-J PV-10-A (once their entry level pre) into a Krell KST100. The C-J has been very nice (a steal at the then price of $1K). Given the rapid advance into the digital age my take is C-J is staying somewhat "old school" (not bad at all). A new C-J pre plus a DAC would be ideal but pricy. I went with Audio Alchemy DDP-1. Nice web site for C-J--they are a very fine and "classy" operation.
I understand that some of us have the TEA2 SE--and I also, have one of Bob's step up transformers so that my Dynavector cartridge will perform---- My question is---does anyone have any experience with the TEA 1--with the built in step up transformer?? This is priced significantly higher than the TEA2 SE---and just wondering if anyone out there has any experience with a comparison between the two---so one could consider if it is worth upgrading to this unit??
Ray- I liked the MF series of amps as well. Sonographe was a pretty good series too. I have not had an opportunity to audition the newest solid-state offerings from CJ. it is a good thing for the company's return to ss power amps, IMO.
jafant I'm using a Bryston 2.5 SST2 amp, Accusound speaker cable and Tellurium Q black interconnects. TT is a Linn LP 12 w/Cirkus upgrade Ittok arm and Dynavector 20XL2 cart. Also a Lingo 3 power supply. CD player a Cambridge Audio BD 752 universal player. Streaming w/a Blue Sound Node 1, An Akai GX-220-D Reel to Reel tape recorder. My phono is a locally built Shaker Logic Audio phono preamp. It uses a Cinemag 1254 SUT for the MC cart. Also has a mono switch for older records.
@normansizemore my amp was working fine just not my cup of tea. It sounded more like SS than tubes to me missing some of the organics of tubes. But I don't doubt their newer stuff sounds much better.
The best day of my audiophile life was when I received my MF 2500A.Worst day was having to sell it,,,,,,Bad Mistake!!! My system has not sounded as good since .Have not heard their phono preamps. I will one day buy another CJ power amp !
I am surprised to hear that, maybe something was amiss with your sample? I have always liked the way their products are 'voiced'. I find them more to the sweet/rich side which I enjoy. Even their lower end solid state amps of the late 80's early 90's sounded pretty good. Personally I thought the Premiere 5 mono blocks were superb. Wonderful balance and not bass heavy like my KSA 50 or the ML2's I once had.
@normansizemore Not disparaging cj in anyway but I had a premiere 11a for a while and did not like the amp at all. It also turned me off the 6550 tube for life. So not "everyone" loves cj. In fairness I've not auditioned any current cj gear in my own system.
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