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CJ CAV 50 vs. VTL IT 85 vs. Rogue Tempest

I recently bought a pair of mini-utopias to replace my dynaudio 1.3MkII. Currently, i am looking for a substitute for my plinius 8200MkII integrated amp.

I have always used SS amps as I am bit apprehensive in the hassles of tube maintenance and hate long warm up periods. Thus, as of now, I am thinking of getting a yba passion integre for the jm labs. However, this amp is not readily available where i live (Philippines) and the distributor is in Singapore. Hence, warrantiy may become a problem.

But assuming that i would venture into integrated tube amplification, which would be the better choice?

These three products (cav 50, IT85 and Rogue Tempest) are available in my country (Philippines) and are almost priced the same.

However, I am not yet familiar with tubes... so to all previous owners of these amps which one do you think would:
a) most likely sound best with the mini-utopia;
b) be easier to maintain (i.e. biasing, tube switching);
c) have more functions (i.e. switchable to diff modes);
d) most likely become obsolete soon due to a change or upgrade by the manufacturer.

The rest of system is a MF Nuvista 3D player, analysis plus oval 9 cable, DH labs air matrix iconnect, audio
prism foundation 2 (sorry dont have any power cables as i am not really convinced by it after several demos). Room is 14wx22lx8h and music preference is jazz and vocals.

Thanks.
jermometer
dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
My experience with the VTL IT85 has been excellent. This unit has many capabilities: pre-out, processor in, remote (volume and mute), headphone socket, and if you need more power, can be easily biamped with the ST85 (they are gain matched). The binding posts on the back for the speaker cables and the inputs are heavy duty and overbuilt, and the unit itself is very well built.

I compared the VTL to the new Ayre integrated, on a pair of Martin Logans, and the VTL won hands down. It was easy to hear the difference. Maybe because tubes go better with 'stats, I don't know. But I love the VTL IT85.

This was my first tube piece, so I was unsure about "biasing", but I just read the directions, got the recommended biasing meter, and had no problem. It was a lot easier than I thought it'd be.

I swapped out the tubes for NOS amperex bugle boys 7316, and telefunken 802s for the pre section, and man, this amp really sounds great. I was surprised at the impact, depth/fullness of the sound.
rooze's avatar
rooze
627 posts
 
Hi,

I've had a CJ CAV 50 in my system now for over 3 years. Still using the original tubes, and have to set the bias about every six months, it takes about 30 seconds.
This is a great sounding amp, I replaced a Krell 300i and have never looked back.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Rooze, unless you listen fairly infrequently, it's time for you to consider a tube change, at least on the power tubes. It's hard to hear the slow degradation over time, but a fresh set will often be a shocker. Allow me to suggest Svetlanas, which were a major improvement over the Sovtek/EH tubes C-J stocks in my MV-55. While you're at it, I would also switch out the 12AX7's with Yugo EI's and the 6SN7's with Chinese, since neither are too expensive, and all can be had at good prices from Tiode Electronics online, with the EL34's tested and matched. But the power tubes are the main thing - just give 'em a week to burn in, and I'll bet you'll be marveling at the difference. Just my opinion, but one based on experience...
rooze's avatar
rooze
627 posts
 
Thanks Zaikesman for the advice on the retube. It's something I've been thinking about for a while. On your advice I've just emailed Triode Electronics for a quote.

Rooze
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Rooze, I've always found them to offer the best prices, and they're good to work with, if shorter than some on specific advice (C-J itself is outrageously expensive for replacement tubes). If you do the retube, let me know what you think after burn-in.
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