CJ premier 8 - please share your comments

I have the 8xs(factory)----Not only am I tube junkie; I'm a triode junkie as well.---Everybody I know that owned the 'A' version 8's sold them. Most 6550 amps don't give me what I like--compared to el34's. To me the sound is very different---used with a friendly-load speaker. I owned the 5's and had them converted to triode---Eerily close to the 8xs with "all the right tubes"---At the price of tubes; I never 'just' leave them powered up.

Thanks, here are my observations so far:

a) very clean and life-like midrange reproduction
b) nice roundness to accoustic instruments
c) excellent pitch reproducing piano and female voices
d) not very good control and bass tonality compared to the X250
e) not the same degree of soubdstaging and dynamic handling as my reference amp

I have today as the last to make up my mind, as-of-today I am leaning towards keeping the x250 and save $3000.00 in the trade.

Fernando

I agree with all the comments above. One of the truly great amps (tube or SS) of all time. Al colleague of mine uses them to drive the top end of the same speakers I have...the Infinity RS 1-B's.....truely magical!!!

Fernando,

I would agree with all of your listening observations, with the exception that I am puzzled by two: I would have expected superb soundstaging from the Premier 8 and at least very good dynamic handling, with perhaps better microdynamics than macro. But, as always you have to make the choice based on what you hear in your system, and where your listening priorities fall.

Thanks for sharing your observations! Just goes to show that Pass Labs gear is well designed and executed.

Further observations:(4 hours before SuperBowl)

Midrange (voices and strings for example) are much more life-like than the PASS, which sounds a tad analytical and cold.

Bass: A little "hangover" in the bass is coming from the CJ, tubes are Sovtek so there is room for improvement there.

Highs: both very well reproduced (Pass & CJ) but different. Pass amp delivers excellent transients and attack, CJ reprpduction is a little coloured, silvery and sustained, really nice as well.

Bottom Line as-of 4 hours prior the SuperBowl: The CJ is equalizing the race, I sit there and enjoy music instead of pinpointing sonical articfacts.

Thanks all, please keep comments flowing.

Fernando