Conrad Johnson vs Van Alst

I think that both would be a good choice but i can say they are for two very different systems you could not go wrong with either one in the right system but i can say that the conrad johnson amp would most likely be the more forgiving amp of the two and the van alstine would be the more accurate/revealing if that helps.

AVA for SS. The new SS Mono Blocks he is about to or just has released for $4k are said to fantastic. CJ is about tube sound.

Since I don't know what you're driving I should just shut up.

it is true that the op has not mentioned what speakers he is driving... that may influence his choice, but the two models he mentions are of similar rated power

the ava will certainly play and sound a touch sharper and more incisive than the cj amp... cj’s sensibilities are for a more rounded, dimensional sound (given that firm's tube gear heritage), and thus some transparency, speed and detail is traded for those qualities deemed attractive ... the early cj ss amps using mosfets were infamous for their ’mosfet mist’ - where the sound was softened and somewhat ’cloudy’ if you follow my drift... but over time c-j, like arc, has moved to a more neutral sound in successive iterations of their gear

Curious why you are considering either one of these amps? If they’re not local and you’re getting a killer price, I’d look into a Parasound A 23+. Been a long time since I’ve listened to a CJ 2275 but from memory I’d take the Parasound. Can’t speak for the Van Alstine. Make sure whatever amp you’re considering is dead quiet if your speakers are super sensitive.

I can't speak for CJ, but I bought a mint condition Dyna 120 at a garage sale once for four bucks. I sent it to Frank VanAlstine to have his circuits installed. That little 60wpc SS amp was a killer ... especially at its price point.

Franki