CJ Premier 17LS vs Sonic Frontier Line 3


Has anyone compared these two preamps. I had a lines 3 in the past and I am looking get one back. A friend told me I should consider the Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS.

Any comments would really be helpfull.
jel
i have been a cj fan for years, but the sf lines 3 is a classic pre..i'd get it back.
It's a hard call. You really need to hear them side by side in your system. IMO the CJ is a more subtle preamp allowing you to hear detail, instrument and singer placement and inner harmonics. In some systems the top end sounds ever so slightly softened (not to be confused with being rolled off or compressed). Otherwise, it is simply listening to music as it should be. I like both, so it comes down to your ears. Take the time and listen to them.
Though they both have tubes, they're different. Whats the rest of your system like and what are you hopeing to achieve?