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VTL 5.5 VS CJ Premier 17

I have CJ electronics in my system comprising a PV-14 LS2 preamp and a 2500A power amp. I recently tried a VTL TL 5.5 preamp and thought it provided a lot more dynamics, more precise soundstage and air around the instruments. Although the highs of the VTL were a little more extended than my PV-14, I thought both had similar signatures with a sweet overall presentation.Which I like.

I haven't tried a Premier 17 ls or even a CT6 in my system and live away from CJ dealers. The VTL 5.5 has a lower MSRP than both upgrades I could make with CJ. Should I grab the VTL without looking back or should I go for a Premier 17 or CT6 and grab one without giving it a listen ?
andr

Showing 5 responses by dopogue

dopogue
1,773 posts
 
No experience with VTL, but if you're going CJ, I'd recommend the Premier 17LS2 WAY ahead of either the original 17LS or the CT6. The teflon caps in the 17LS2 seem to make a big difference. Mine slaughtered a CT6. Good luck, Dave
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Geez, sorry :-)

Don't listen to the guys promoting the Premier 14. I had one for years while my audiobuddies bit their tongues (as they told me after I got the 17LS2).
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Really? "The old geezers really miss the old tube sound." I'm 78. Where does that put me? Oh, and I love my Calypso.

:-)
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Seriously, the difference between the 14 and the 17LS2 is not between a tubey and SS sound. I never found the 14 especially tubey and I owned it for 6 years. Not a bad linestage at all, though some of my more critical audiobuddies would beg to differ, but the 17LS2 is simply more open and dynamic with better bass and all-around more musical, however you define that. Part of the difference is the tube complement. Whatever you think of the 6922/6DJ8 family used in the 17LS and CT6, they're a darn sight better-sounding tubes than the 6GK5s used in the Premier 14. Dave
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Okay, fair enough. I got the Calypso here on Audiogon at a price enabling me to flip it if -- compared side by side to the CL 17 LS2 -- it didn't sound as good. My sole reason for getting it was that I was sick and tired of switching speaker cables to effect polarity changes.

So imagine my surprise and delight when I found that I liked the Calypso, sonically, better than the CJ. It must be at least partially a system synergy thing, since I've heard none of the negatives you ascribe to the Calypso. Tube rolling did help -- I'm now using Mullard E88CCs and Tele smooth plate 12AX7s (two each) in the Calypso and these are the same Mullards that were in the CJ before I sold it. Two Calypso bonuses for me: Its paralleled XLR and RCA inputs/outputs have been a boon, especially with an Otari tape deck that sports only XLRs. And Jim White of Aesthetix has been both accessible and responsive, even on weekends when I had questions.

But if the Calypso is not an option for you, I can strongly recommend the CJ 17LS2. Sorry I can't help with the VTL comparisons. I did NOT consider the Premier 14 "syrupy," just not in the same sonic league as the 17LS2. Good luck, Dave
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