2. amps-preamps
  3. 1107747115

Conrad-Johnson Premier 11a-a good used amp?

Hi. I am considering purchase of a C-J Premier 11a (used, there are a couple up on a-gon right now) and was wondering what the consensus on this amp is? I have relatively easy to drive Soliloquy 6.3's, and my listening tastes are mostly jazz and orchestra, at moderate volumes. I have a wonderful tube preamp (EE Minimax) that I would like to mate with a musical, yet detailed amp. I don't want something toooo lush/syrupy, but kind of a liquid, yet detailed sound (which is exactly what the Minimax is for a preamp). In my system, I have had a McCormack DNA-125 (nice amp, but not detailed enough and has some grain) and audioned a PS Audio HCA-2 (very nice amp-great detail and extension, nice liquid presentation for SS), but many owners documented troubles turned me off).

How does the Premier 11a stack up against these? Is it more "new-school" tubes (detailed with a rich presentation)or more old-school (excessively warm and lush)? Thanks!
chiho

Showing 1 response by steelhead

steelhead
318 posts
 
I bought one in the nineties used and love it. It didn't quite have the grunt to power my ML ReQuests full range, but it is simply great on the panels now that I have the Hafler to tame the woofers.

Absolutely trouble free and real nice with Ei KT90's from upscale.

I lugged it over to a friends who had two Adcom 555's powering his Maggie 3.5's and he was sold. He ended up with Cary V12 monoblocks (great looking AND sounding) for the maggies but the tubes sold him.

If I ever sell mine it will probably be to move to 12's or if lucky 8a's to go full range tubes.

have fun
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