I have CJ equipment at home and it is now installed in one of my client's sound room at their factory (they manufacture speakers). Their speakers are rated at 85 db. They used a CJ MF 2500A and Premier 18 LS at CES and the sound was amazingly clear, clean, articulate, musical and natural with a wide and deep soundstage. And this was in a hotel room with little sonic treatment.
At home, I was using a MV 60 driven passively and wanted more dynamics and punch. I went over to a MF 2250 A and PV 14L SE. I could not ask for more.
My kids' music teacher (head of local high school music department and jazz studio musician) literally took my system. He used the CJ MV 60 and his own preamp on his Maggies and agreed that the sound was amazing, but the Maggies needed a little more than one MV 60. He contemplated a second MV 60 and even a pair of MV 60 SE, but sold the Maggies and bought speakers from my client. He is keeping the one MV 60 and has a CJ preamp on order.
I have heard Maggies with ARC, Musical Fidelity, Electrocompaniet and CJ. The Electo and CJ sounded the best. The ARC was clean and smooth, but sounded lifeless and uninvolving. The Musical Fidelity was just plain dark. The Electro was fast and sweet, but I gave up on them years ago. I still have 3 AW 100 carcasses in my basement. The CJ just played music. There was no contest. For objectivity: the ARC and MF were in the same location and I bought the MV 60 there. The Electro was in someone's home and I again took the MV 60 over. I heard the MF 2500 (not a MF 2500A) at a third location.
The MF 2500A is musical, effortless and does not have any of the typical qualities of a SS amp. Of course, you can say that about 3-4 other SS amps too. But since your thread was CJ focused, I thought I would share all CJ stories.
Please do not hesitate to email me if you want to go deeper.
At home, I was using a MV 60 driven passively and wanted more dynamics and punch. I went over to a MF 2250 A and PV 14L SE. I could not ask for more.
My kids' music teacher (head of local high school music department and jazz studio musician) literally took my system. He used the CJ MV 60 and his own preamp on his Maggies and agreed that the sound was amazing, but the Maggies needed a little more than one MV 60. He contemplated a second MV 60 and even a pair of MV 60 SE, but sold the Maggies and bought speakers from my client. He is keeping the one MV 60 and has a CJ preamp on order.
I have heard Maggies with ARC, Musical Fidelity, Electrocompaniet and CJ. The Electo and CJ sounded the best. The ARC was clean and smooth, but sounded lifeless and uninvolving. The Musical Fidelity was just plain dark. The Electro was fast and sweet, but I gave up on them years ago. I still have 3 AW 100 carcasses in my basement. The CJ just played music. There was no contest. For objectivity: the ARC and MF were in the same location and I bought the MV 60 there. The Electro was in someone's home and I again took the MV 60 over. I heard the MF 2500 (not a MF 2500A) at a third location.
The MF 2500A is musical, effortless and does not have any of the typical qualities of a SS amp. Of course, you can say that about 3-4 other SS amps too. But since your thread was CJ focused, I thought I would share all CJ stories.
Please do not hesitate to email me if you want to go deeper.