McIntosh MC275 vs Conrad Johnson Premier 11A

I listened awhile back to a MAC 70wpc tubed integrated driving a pair of parasound speakers; the front end was a pioneer elite sacd player. I used to own a premier 11a amp driving a pair of thiel 3.6's and comparing the two the MAC was not as involving as the cj. Of course different electronics different enviroment so it is a little hard to directly compare the two house sounds. Having said that the music just seems to have more life with the cj as compared to the MAC. Nothing against MAC equipment it is very well build and good looking to boot but just doesn't appeal to me sonically. I sold my 11a to a friend of mine and I am still sorry I sold it. Great Amp.

Ha Ha Ha! This is the evil twin who purchased the Premier 11A from czbbcl! Yes, it is a great amp. Build quality is to military specs. I found it, over time, a tad soft/loose in the base region. I now bi-amp with a CJ MF2250 in tandem with the 11A, with the 2250 running the low end. Matter of fact I am right now blasting my 17LS (czbbcl's as well!) at 55, listening to a old Roxie Music LP. Audio Nurvana....and no, you can't have them back!

I think the MC275 is over-kill. Stick with MC240. Too much power is more grain and less involving sound.

Thank you everybody for your responses.
I have never had a Conrad Johnson amplifier but I have had many C-J preamps and I love the sound. The reason for moving to the Audible Illusions M3A was the MC cartridges capability. With the MC240 I was unable to get enough volume when listening to records. I am using a low output cartridge (0.09mV). I don’t have that problem with the Spectron digital one (500W/channel). I don’t know if 70watts instead of 40w will solve the problem. Of course I can get a different cartridge. Any other tube amps that you can suggest for a similar set up (up to 2K in the used market)
Thank you again.

You have many more options in 40 watt land.I use an EAR intergrated 834 to run my german Odeon demi horns.I used tohave the Ref's as well and like Quad'57/63 owners who have bought and sold and re-bought the same spaker 4 or 5 times in a carreer of this madness I always wish I had kept mine but if I did I'd get bored or upset with their few weak points and want to change out again.It's changing out ITSELF I have a love hate relationship.Between the two models you have chosen tocompare I'd say you'd get better bass and a bit more dynamic slam out of the Mac amps and a more creamy midrange with the CJ's.Remember that in addition to the different manufacturer having different soundsfrom circut designs etc tubes themselves have different characteristics.EL34's used in my Conrad Johnson MV50 used EL34's which were great in mids but had less bass than say my Mesa which used utilitarian 6L6 tubes.Problem with CJ's tube amp[s IMHO is that they are npisier than other brands.EL34's are middle range in price for replacement and a favorite of folks who want to power two way moniotrs with good coherence and not a lot of bass demands (and would work well with the Gallo's).Many CJ's use EL34's.KT88's which if you check prices are more expensive to replace are worth it for many folks in either a 25 watt Mini Mite or a 300 watt monster beacuse they may not have that mid refinement but overall have greater bass and more dynamic slam that EL34's or 6550's which are among cheapest to replace.The 6550 is considered a good untilitarian tube which some deigners like and is supposed to be a pretty balanced tube say betwen the characteristics of the 34 or 88.Think you need to find a shop which has Acoustic Research,Cary,CJ,Mac etc and deice for yourself as difficult as it may be with somebody elses speakers (bring yours they are light!) or room and judge for yourself.In some it's like cheap turntables and CD players for say $500.The turnatable for it's adherents will blow away the CD unless you go to SACD format or get a $20K player.Tubes conversely have there weaknesses but as you all ready heard also psses there streengths that SS does not posses in it's harmonic presentation (good distortion if you will).But differnt amps AND tubes sound different.Your speakers don't need gobs of juice like say Maggies so you have choices (unless you are in va big room but you didn't mention it).set a power range of 40-75 watts go look at prices and sit down with what you can afford and listen.
G'luck
Chazz