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

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.