Simaudio P5 or Conrad Johnson ET5


I currently have the CJ 17LS and like it a lot but I do feel like it may be the bottle neck in my system.  Therefore I am looking to replace with something that can provide better detail and dynamic.  The ET5 seems like a natural candidate but its weakness is that it does not offer balance connection which in itself could be the bottleneck.  The P5 is a two chassis design and has the sound somewhere between tube and solid state.  
The P5 used would be around 2K and the ET5 would probably around 4K or a bit less if I am lucky.
My current amp is Simaudio Moon W3.  The DAC is Ayre QB-9 DSD.

What are some of the alternatives with about the same price?
andy2

Showing 1 response by tubegroover

Another option, not discussed enough IMHO, would be upgrading what you currently have with premium parts. You might be amazed as to what is possible. I’d call Bill Thalmann of Music Technology, Backert labs and Jeff Fischelk at CJ for different options. IF you like what you have why not consider improve/upgrade with better caps, resistors, diodes and wire along with other improvements that might be available relative to your situation. Buying into an unknown quanity may or not work out but will most certainly cost you more. Good Luck!

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