Has anybody heard of the Conrad Johnson Premier 1b

          Ralpho isn’t someone you want to get information from.  Reminds me of all the people that put misinformation online. If people don’t know, why don’t they just not comment?  
          Either way, Conrad Johnson made the Premier 1 amplifier which operated on 6550 power tubes 200 watts per channel. Conrad Johnson then made the 1b which operated on EL34 power tubes at 150 watts per channel. There was never a 1C. The 1b was made because consumers wanted a powerful amplifier that ran on EL34’s.  The EL34 power tube is desired by a lot of audiophiles over the 6550 tube. Most say, the EL34 tube is sweeter and gentler with the presentation and also has better inner resolution. 
          I own the Premier 1b and Premier Four amplifiers and they sounds fine after turn on in 15 minutes. But can say after on for 1 hour, they are at their glory. 
          I’ve never recommended to anyone to get replacement tubes from the manufacturer of where the component was purchased because they do not have the best sounding tubes for the item. They may have new, reliable tubes but most of the time the tubes are almost always way over priced and not a great quality sounding tubes. 
           Along with these 2 Premier CJ amps I’ve mentioned, I also have 5 other CJ tube amps, 15 other tube amps by companies like Cary, Canary, Audio Research, VTL, Single ended designs etc
         
       

I believe the Premier 1 B still uses 6550's. It's the 1 C that used the 34's. Also, the 6550's kicked out 250 watts per channel whereas I believe the 1 C, if I recall correctly had 150 or 175 watts per channel.

The reason they switched to the 34's was that it was a more common tube, cheaper, and more well known for audio applications.

I had the 1 B with the 6550's. Right now I'm loaning it to a buddy on the other side of the country. In spite of its age, it is still a remarkably wonderful sounding amplifier. Bass is deep and well controlled and detailed. Midrange is smooth, detailed, and sweet. Ah, female vocals! Highs are accurate and extended. Cymbals sound like cymbals.

The only reason I'm not using the amp, I live in a warm climate. That thing is like having a campfire burning. When I lived in NJ, I kept it down my basement, and it effectively kept away cold and dampness. After all, with 12 6550's burning, there's lots of watts of heat generated.

Its probably best to get the 5751's from Conrad Johnson, and while you're at it, get the 6FQ7's there too. Reasonably priced, and they burn them in, so you're more apt to get a tube that's going to work well.

By the way, the amp takes 1 full hour to sound like live music. In 2 hours, you're in nirvana.

I hope I've helped you.