cellorover

Responses from cellorover

Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Linear Tube Audio 40 Reference Amps
@bluethinker glad to hear that the 120 was the right choice. I had a stick (16) of NOS Mullard EL34 and sold them. I found that the Sophia Electric Grade A EL34 were just as good for a lot less. Call CJ and get their NOS Slovak 6922. They are very... 
ARC amplifier with Conrad Johnson Preamp
The CJ will be more open and cleaner than the BAT. Cannot comment on the ARC.      
ARC amplifier with Conrad Johnson Preamp
Using the Cardas adaptors will not do anything to the sound. You can always change amps in the future. But the second part of your post has not been answered. By shelf speakers, I assume you mean monitors. What is your budget and music preference?  
ARC amplifier with Conrad Johnson Preamp
The CJ Premier 14 is a sleeper and will out perform many new preamps in the sub$7500 space. The board floats and has 4 screws that hold it place for shipping. Very musical and detailed. Very easy to just sit back and listened to. I liked it better... 
Conrad Johnson CAV45-S2 8 ohm? 4 ohm? Other?
The CJ Slovak 6922 are 1970 vintage some are earlier. That have a good inventory.  
Conrad Johnson CAV45-S2 8 ohm? 4 ohm? Other?
They use reissue EL 34 as do all other manufacturers. Their 6922 are NOS Slovak. The v3 will be a full 65 watts per channel. Should be out in March.  
Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Linear Tube Audio 40 Reference Amps
@paulcreed. Thanks for adding some more food for thought. The CAV45S2 is a sleeper. Good review in Tone. It is basically the Classic 65 with 3 inputs and a volume control. I love its simplicity. You should upgrade the tubes to Sophia Electric EL34... 
Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Linear Tube Audio 40 Reference Amps
@bluethinker66  Your ears are serving you well. KT150s are more neutral and add bass control. The CJ Classic 120 SE with EL34 and the CJ Slovak 6922 will deliver a warmer sound. It will be a little to the warm side of neutral. As I wrote before t... 
Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Cary Audio Design CAD120 MKII?
It is good that bluethinker66 can get the feedback he is looking for. Given your system and room, the Pass XA 25 probably would not work, albeit maybe Pass’ best sounding amp. The reviews doing not do it justice. I agree that the xa160.8 is not fo... 
Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Cary Audio Design CAD120 MKII?
Correction. input not inlet. BTW I have a Pass XA25 and CJ Classic 120SE, Merason DAC1, and Innuos Zenith.      
Conrad Johnson Classic 120se vs. Cary Audio Design CAD120 MKII?
@bluethinker66  You are getting some good inlet, but what speakers are you using and what is your room like? You may or may not need 120 watts. Happy to share some thoughts once I have more information.  
Bel Canto Black EX Integrated vs. E1X Integrated
Please all me a longish reply, which I hope will give you some context for my answer. I recently made the decision to sell my DAC, which I had for 9 years. I bought a new DAC which was transformative. Then I thought, gee, maybe a new preamp. I bo... 
conrad johnson art108a versus art300 versus art150
My apologies for not replying sooner. I provide concierge service to CJ and can share my observations. The ART 150 and 300 are the same amps except the 300s are monoblocks. Sonically, the 300s are smoother and more detailed than the 150 but your s... 
conrad johnson art108a versus art300 versus art150
My apologies for not replying sooner. I provide concierge service to CJ and can share my observations. The ART 150 and 300 are the same amps except the 300s are monoblocks. Sonically, the 300s are smoother and more detailed than the 150 but your s... 
Conrad Johnson LP66s Problems
Jeff is giving you an honest answer. That is how he works. He could guess what is wrong but that would not help you. He needs to put the amp on the bench and determine what is wrong. It could be anything from a simple diode to something in the pow...