CJ premier 8 - please share your comments

Fernando, it seems that you do indeed have a good grasp of the differences between these two amps. I don't think I can help you any further on the choice you need to make; that choice will depend on your listening/sonic priorities.

As you say, the Premier 8 is not neutral in the way of the Pass, nor is it a classically tubey sound. There are some other tube amplifiers that are more neutral and that may have greater bass control (examples, Atma-Sphere MA-1/MA-2 OTLs, BAT 150se, C-J Premier 140), but that is not your consideration today.
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What would be an approx. cost for re-tubing both Premier 8-s?

One way to get this estimate would be to check with C-J on the current cost of their replacement tube set: RTPR8 (with 6550 output tubes):
703-698-8581 or service@conradjohnson.com
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thanks, will try via mail

Fernando,before spending any further money,why can't you ask your wife if you could move the speakers out into the room for one day,just to hear the different perspective.My friend's wife was very against him doing this,since his was,also,a living room.What we(some audio buddies)did,I admit, was to take a chance,and,"PLAY WITH FIRE"at my friend's house.Over a course of a couple of listening sessions we moved the speakers out one or two inches at a time.She didn't notice until a few weeks later,and,by then it was her birthday,where my friend bought(bribed)her a beautiful bracelet.P.S.The speakers stayed further out!Sometimes being an audiophile requirs some degree of cunning,and creativity.Good luck!Oh,yeah,I forgot to mention that "begging" helps too.I've done plenty of that over the years.