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VTL 5.5 VS CJ Premier 17

I have CJ electronics in my system comprising a PV-14 LS2 preamp and a 2500A power amp. I recently tried a VTL TL 5.5 preamp and thought it provided a lot more dynamics, more precise soundstage and air around the instruments. Although the highs of the VTL were a little more extended than my PV-14, I thought both had similar signatures with a sweet overall presentation.Which I like.

I haven't tried a Premier 17 ls or even a CT6 in my system and live away from CJ dealers. The VTL 5.5 has a lower MSRP than both upgrades I could make with CJ. Should I grab the VTL without looking back or should I go for a Premier 17 or CT6 and grab one without giving it a listen ?
andr

Showing 3 responses by cytocycle

cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
If you are thinking of going with Vinyl, you can get a the VTL 5.5 with an execellent MM, or mid-high output MC phonostage which will save you the cost of a set of interconnects, powercable, and rack space. This can be added later by VTL I believe also. I enjoyed my VTL 5.5 when I owned it. I can't speak for the CJ premamps other than it was more transparent than my CJ premier 14 preamp.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Yeah the CJ Premier 14 is a very warm preamp with the traditional CJ Premier 11/12 sound of the EL34's... The Resister volume control is physically really loud and it doesn't provide a wide range of increments. The newer CJ gear is more transparent and more neutral. Since you have compared it, the VTL 5.5 is also the more romantic of the VTL preamps in sound (it's not warm) but when you hear the VTL 6.5 (you realise what it does wrong(only if you have 20hz speakers the bass is a little flabby but it could have been my input tubes..)) The VTL 6.5 is a STUNNER!!! But it better be for the price it commands, the VTL 5.5 with a phono preamp is a bargain!
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
I have tried a Calypso also (two of my friends have them) and tube rolling (except the latest tubes Jim has sound great) is a requirement. Plus one of my friends had your CJ 2500A amp (with a transformer humm that CJ would fix saying they all do that...he sold it) as good as that amp is I bet the Calypso was showing you how digital you digital front end is....

What is your front end? As you start to get to these truely great preamps they also reveal all the flaws in a system instead of masking them in syrup.

Like you already found out system synergy is key, I had a huge ground humm that I couldn't cure with the Calypso in my system but it worked perfectly at my friends house or I would own it.. bargain component.

The LS16mkII is another great preamp if you need single ended only.
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