Conrad Johnson--does anyone use this brand anymore?

I've been smitten with CJ ever since hearing a buddy's PV5 preamp.  Was it "colored"?  Did it have a touch of honey about it? Yep.  But every time we listened to music through it I found myself relaxed and smiling.  Not bad!

I've been using a Bob Backert heavily modified PV12L for years now and it is awesome.  Even before the mods. that CJ smooooooothness was there.  I always attribute much of their gears' sonic success at the attention to the power supplies in their designs.

Almost bought a CJ SS amp years ago, but ironically enough went the McCormack route.  As fate would have it, McCormack is now a CJ line!

As zavato mentions, cj does have that "Golden Sound" to match up with their golden faceplates.  My guess would be that a cj tube pre matched with a cj tubed amp may in some systems be a bit too much of that golden glow.

@jafant   

"No doubt that Pass Labs is the best solid-state gear at this juncture"

The Best?  I don't doubt that Pass Labs is excellent SS gear...but

Loved the MF2300 SS amp except for lack of bass impact and tautness.  the 2500 improved the bass considerably.

Wish I had a cj dealer nearby to hear their current offerings.

@jafant  I'm in Lancaster County, PA.  Buggies - yes.  Audio Emporiums - not so much!

Where r u?

@ebm hyperbole?

@grannyring   Thanks for the perspective!

I have a PV-12L. It’s been the core of my system for a quarter century!  I have the good fortune of living only an hour and a half from Bob Backert an expert modifier of cj preamps. I recently took my line stage to Bob to clean noisy volume and input selector knobs and in the process he mentioned he had developed a much improved circuit to replace a decades old design of his. All of his work are circuits of his design including his patented “Greenforce” power supply.  And yes, you can always contact him at RHB Dezigns if you want to discuss upgrades to CJ gear and send it to him.