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Conrad Johnson Upgrades - A difference maker?

I own a pair of Conrad Johnson's Premier 12 Power Amps. One is in for servicing and it was put forth that I may want to consider upgrading these units to CJ's Teflon capacitors.

If you have upgraded a CJ Power unit to Teflon capacitors, I would greatly appreciate your response on the difference it made.

Thank you.
rbschauman
pops
2,272 posts
 
Randy...no going back! Don't mess with success.....IMHO.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I also had my prem8a upgraded. Bbro is spot on as the improvements overall are excellent.

Another significant improvement is it is quietier

Well worth it IMO.
rbschauman OP
137 posts
 
Well, Per Preference is some of this...

I'm a big CJ fan. 1st tube amp I bought was their MV45 with EL 34's. I LOVED that sweet, a bit colored "tubey" sound. I sold it and picked up a MV60SE and did not care for it's sound as much (although many say it's a way better amp). I Sold it and bought what I'm hoping to be my final amps, the 12's. Did this because I thought I'd get a bit of both the MV 45's and MV 60's characteristics but on a much higher level.

To date, I've been very happy with the stock build of the 12. And, BTW, I've mated these 12's with CJ's Premier 15 pre and feel it has been a very good combination.

Thanks for sharing all of you - I do have more knowledge from which I can base a future decision off of. I'll contemplate the matter.

Randy
timo62
279 posts
 
Randy , I have not tried the upgrade myself., From what I heard , you would lose some of that CJ house sound that you are use to hearing.
If you plan on having both amps serviced , you might want to have your capacitors replaced , but with the original type and value.

You would not lose any of your smoothness , but your amps would sound like they did when you first bought them.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
The upgrade may make sense for you. The 12's, in their stock form, are very laid back. Much more so than a 60SE, or even a 55. An 11a is probably the closest in sound. Doing the caps may quicken the sound a bit, but I don't think thats such a bad thing given how they sound stock. I don't see you getting the amps back and they sound like a 60. Maybe like they used to but with a little more life to them.

Another reason that you might want to send the other amp in to CJ is to make sure they are identical. If it was my amp, I would have them "repair" the other amp so both amps have exactly the same parts in them, as well as the same age.

Anyway, its something to think about (or keep you up at night worrying.).
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