I had the CL-34 and CL-35/III at the same time. Both were in immaculate condition, premium tubes in good shape. I invited a "jury" of Golden Ears to help me choose — a violist (Berlin Phil); the composer/performer of "The Emerald Forest" soundtrack; and a recording engineer. We only used their own music (performed or recorded by them) which of course they knew intimately.
All three preferred the 34. As one put it, "The 35 is great audio! The 34 is great music."
I was a bit disappointed — I wanted the CL-35 — but I concurred with their judgement. Speakers were Quad-63, very revealing of nuance.
The only flaw in the comparison was I had to use an SUT with the 34 to test LOMCs, whereas the 35 had its dedicated silver-wire transformers.
All three preferred the 34. As one put it, "The 35 is great audio! The 34 is great music."
I was a bit disappointed — I wanted the CL-35 — but I concurred with their judgement. Speakers were Quad-63, very revealing of nuance.
The only flaw in the comparison was I had to use an SUT with the 34 to test LOMCs, whereas the 35 had its dedicated silver-wire transformers.