Conrad JOHNSON Phono Preamps

the PV-5 had a great MM phono stage in its day. Very musical sounding. many of the reviewers used it as their ref piece.
I owned a PV-5, 8, 11 and 12. The 5 was the only the only model I regretted selling. It has quite a cut following.

C-J makes wonderful stuff including/especially phono preamps.  I currently own their top TEA1series3, but before that had a TEA2, and before that a ET3 and before that...well you get the idea.  Nobody ever got hurt buying C-J.  They are competitive at every price point, usually best in class.  I believe you could have your ET3 modified at the factory to have the phono stage built in probably at a cost savings as compared to buying a stand-alone unit.

@billstevenson 

Bill, thanks for feedback 
yep, cannot go wrong with CJ 

tea1. Wow ,
I was wondering why all the CJ phono preamps are lower on gain ....
Then, Duh....CJ linestage are 25 db vs 8-9 db for most

so., how was tea2 vs tea1 ?  Are either noisy?
any sound characteristics to note vs linestage ?

jeff

ps: what are you running for system ?      It must be spectacular
      Do you run a GAT?

Hi Jeff,
This is way off topic, but briefly my system as it relates to C-J is GAT2, TEA1iii, ART150, all of these powered by a PS Audio P20 power conditioner.  To  your question of noise, the TEA1 is quiet competitive with the best solid state, the TEA2max had some noise more typical of vacuum tube electronics.  This is in my primary home in Florida.  We have two older homes in New England with older less exotic systems and I can tell you I would be thrilled to have an ET3 in either or both of those.  There is nothing second rate about an ET3.

@billstevenson 

I was told the CJ Sound was the “ English gentleman “ of sq. Refined, grainless with all the detail and soundstage 
But, I almost returned the ET3, as it was more edgy than what I wanted.( Thiel speakers at that time )

I tried Matsushita/National 7dj8 Cyro and was dumbfounded by the change .    Needless to say, I’ve kept it , and love it now 

I keep hearing that CJ preamps are hard on tubes ?   But not a issue here.

What other components round out your system?
I would especially like to know your cartridge, as your CJ sq , and preferences are probably close to  mine ?

Jeff

ps: take care in Florida with the “ crud”