I have owned the prem16 and demoed both the CT5 and ACT2 series one.
Both the CT5 and ACT2 have a nice tight bass and extended high's in comparison to the prem 16.
However the prem 16 IMO is one of the great pre amps with great rythmic drive, reasonably extended bass with excellent dynamics. Treble is a little warmer (a good thing IMO) than CT5 and from memory the soundstage is larger.
Overall the prem 16 is more musical, holds the tonal qualities of instruments better and would be my pick.
BTW, I was actually thinking of going back to the cj prem16, however a nice s/h cj ART came up recently and I snapped it up.
Both the CT5 and ACT2 have a nice tight bass and extended high's in comparison to the prem 16.
However the prem 16 IMO is one of the great pre amps with great rythmic drive, reasonably extended bass with excellent dynamics. Treble is a little warmer (a good thing IMO) than CT5 and from memory the soundstage is larger.
Overall the prem 16 is more musical, holds the tonal qualities of instruments better and would be my pick.
BTW, I was actually thinking of going back to the cj prem16, however a nice s/h cj ART came up recently and I snapped it up.