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Went to buy Vandersteen 2C speakers and came home with a conrad-johnson Premier 11A.

I found a great deal on a pair of Vandersteen 2C speakers with Sound Anchor stands.  I didn’t need them, but they are identical to a pair that I had back in the 90s.  While I was there, the seller mentioned that he had an amp that he wanted to sell.  It was on a shelf in a basement collecting dust.  The price was right, so I bought it.  He said there are about 40 hours on the tubes.  Hopefully, the caps are ok.  I’m thinking I’ll try a Wiim Ultra streamer with volume control just to see if everything works.  I have old preamps by NAD and Rotel, but they aren't good ones.

Is there anything special that I should do before firing up the old girl?  This is my first tube amplifier. 

sls883
sls883 OP
1,053 posts
 

@quincy thanks for the information! I guess I got lucky.  The seller estimated that he'd put about 40 hours on those tubes. 

jafant's avatar
jafant
21,553 posts
 

sls883

My pleasure. After you have lived with the CJ Premier 11a for a period, I would send her back to the factory for Teflon upgrade. Thank me later.

 

Happy Listening!

quincy
474 posts
 

yes

studio1
108 posts
 

Friend 

 

Congratulations on your Conrad-Johnson purchase.  For what it is worth - the brand has been in the game a very long time and stands behinds its products from its Fairfax, Va location.  I echo sls883's suggestion of getting it serviced by Conrad Johnson if you feel that it will be a keeper.

sls883 OP
1,053 posts
 

@studio1 Thank you.  I've put some hours on it and it's performing like a champ.  It actually plays well with the Vandersteen speakers and Wiim Ultra. I'm using pretty decent cables. 

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