I agree with Art's assessment. I currently use CJ DR-1/DA2b combo, which I have compared head to head with Levinson, Jadis, Goldmund, Copland, EAD, etc... For the money, the CJ system is great. It might be described as laid-back or a tad bit soft when compared with much higher-priced gear, but it has a rightness to its presentation which is very analogue-like. CJ's greatest shortcoming is the lack of the ooomphh in the bass that I have gotten from other front ends. The bass is, however, very well defined and harmonically rich. Replacing the stock 6gk5 tubes with Mullards have made subtle improvements.
Jeff
Jeff