Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamplifier vs Conrad Johnson ET5 (or CT5) preamplifier

For me there would be absolutely no hesitation, I own and previewed PrimaLuna and have lots of experience with Conrad Johnson. CJ’s sound is natural and musical... the epitome of  this type. Prima Luna is fine, hard to complain about... but lacks the magic of real music. 

If I did not go down the road of Audio Research... upgrading over decades to top of the line ARC. I would have gotten Conrad Johnson and upgraded over time to an all CJ system. 

Lots of folks as they become more experienced with high and audio ( and older) realize it is about the music not the sound spectacular and are drawn towards ARC, CJ, Vac and a couple more. 

@ghdprentice 

I use a Motif MS 1001 power amp, which despite being over twenty years old sounds great. I think it will be a great match for the ET5.

I completely agree with ghdprentice.

I've had several pieces of Prima Luna equipment since they entered the industry. Most recently as pair of EVO 400 amp which I used a s monoblocks. Vintage tubes certainly helped improve the sound quality, but it never reached the level of musicality which my CJ equipment provides. As you can see in my signature photo, I am using CJ LP27M monoblock amps, CJ GAT S1 preamp, and a TEA1 S3 phono stage. I have no intentions of changing any of those out.

@awise1961 Certainly the comparison with a GAT and a pair of LP275M is merciless and impossible for any Primaluna product, being in any case very distant also in terms of price ranges and market segment. I was wondering if even with a less valuable Et5 the argument of Conrad superiority remains valid.

I had the same preamp several years ago. For a tad more jumped to a VTL TL 6.5 series 1, Was a huge jump in performance for about the same money or maybe a few hundred more. Better dynamics, deeper bass, better image depth. 

yukio,

If you haven't done so already, head over to the conradjohnson owners forum. You will get lot's of info on the ET5 and how it compares to other CJ equipment,

My first CJ preamp was an ET5.  It sounded really good, but I had a hard time with the tube.  It only uses one and that tube works hard.  Anyway, I wont bore you with the long story of all the tubes I bought from all the highly recommended sellers before a kind soul put me wise and I bought a tube directly from Jeff at CJ.  Problem solved and lesson learned.  I just re-tubed my CJ ART 88, 27A, and ART Phono.  All the tubes came from Jeff at CJ.  Yes they are more expensive.  But I learned my lesson.  I wish you great joy with your ET5.

I would pay the extra for CJ. However, you mention ET5 vs CT5. Looking at the spec's, a bit different design. Most obvious is the tubes, ET5 using one 6922 and the CT5 having a pair of 6N30P's (great tubes). Obviously the newer design is probably the better option. I haven't heard the newer ET but I am familiar with the CT5 and think it's the cat's meow.

I have not heard an ET-5, so take this comment with a grain of salt... I'm just throwing out another option. 

I had a c-j PV-14L for a lot of years.  It's kinda entry level c-j, but a good performer for the money.  I bought it new.  A couple of years ago, I decided to upgrade to a used c-j Premier 17LS2.  It ended up having an issue and I opted to return it rather than trying to get it fixed.  I did have it for a couple of weeks and I bought a bunch of 6922 tubes while trying to trouble shoot it.  Still have them.... 

Anyway, I ended up with a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp level 2.  I personally prefer it over the c-j preamps that I had. Tubes last a long time in it.