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The Conrad Johnson Premier 350: Revisited

After a 5-year quest for the right amplifier for my system, I have finally found the real deal. Even though the Conrad Johnson Premier 350SA is a vintage amplifier, it has achieved something a number of newer designs could not; the musicality and transparency that I've always wanted is now present in my living room to a degree that I was beginning to think was impossible. I have never written an equipment review but I feel the need to share with others just how great this amplifier is.

I should say from the outset that my listening space is *not* designed for audiophiles. It's a "real" living room and has not been treated in any special way. It does not have vaulted ceilings and there are one or two reflective surfaces that are less than ideal. Nonetheless, the room is big enough and proportional enough for proper speaker placement and the production of an entertaining soundstage.

My setup consists of Thiel CS3.7 speakers, a Conrad Johnson CT5 preamplifier, PS Audio Perfect Wave MKII DAC, Perfect Wave transport, Shunyata Zitron Anaconda power cords, Shunyata Triton power conditioner and Shunyata Zitron Python speaker cables and interconnects.

I have tried a variety of amplifiers with this arrangement and, while the results have been competent, I always felt that something was lacking. During this quest, I owned the Classe' Delta 2200 as well as their $8500 CA-2300. I have also hooked up a Musical Fidelity KW500, a Musical Concepts H500, a T + A Integrated (can't remember the exact model number) Bel Canto Ref 1000 MKII mono blocs, a 600 watt NCore kit amplifier and the latest Sanders Magtech stereo amplifier to my Thiels. These are all very fine amplifiers but none of them were able to control and energize the mighty 3.7's the way the Premier 350 has.

I was very skeptical that an amplifier that first went into production nearly 10 years ago could so completely blow the doors off of these other "modern" amplifiers. First and foremost, it presents instruments in a way I've never heard with other amplifiers. For example, if you've ever played a Martin D-35 guitar, you know that it has an altogether different tone when compared to a Gibson Hummingird. The Premier 350 brings out such differences in a way that no other amplifier I've ever heard is able to do.

The Premier 350 also manages to present the timing of performances in such an immediate way that I find myself tapping my feet and singing along before I realize what's happening. The amplifier draws me into the music on a subconscious level and the result is that hours go by without any fatigue at all. Just as I can get mesmerized by a great movie and stay up too late at night, turning the system off in the evening can be downright difficult since I hooked up this amplifier.

I realize that this amplifier is not new, but I felt compelled to share how stunning it still is. For me, this hobby has always been about fun and a way to have adventures without even leaving the house. The Conrad Johnson Premier 350SA is a rock 'n roll time machine. This is what I call an amplifier of a lifetime
vhiner
vhiner OP
544 posts
 
Thanks, guys. I'm feeling very fortunate right now.

@ZD542

I apologize for the imprecise use of the word "vintage." I only meant it in the sense that one refers to a car as "vintage" when it is still valuable but no longer manufactured. The fact that I was surprised that the Premier 350 outperforms a number of newer amps is only the result of my own naïveté'. In the future, I certainly won't assume that more newly designed equipment will necessarily yield better performance.

@Bill

Thanks for the background on why CJ no longer manufactures the 350! I'd heard people say that it would cost more than $15K to produce this amp today, but I didn't know whether to believe such a claim. Given what you say and how the amplifier performs, I now suspect it may be true.
Btw, have you found an amplifier you like? If my memory serves, I believe you were using a Hegel, correct?
bill_k
911 posts
 
I was very happy with Hegel's H20 amp, but when an opportunity
arose for me to get a new Rowland 625 I couldn't pass. I've
always aspired to own Rowland gear, and the 625 is a stunning
design that is an absolute joy to hear. It has a sound that is
seductively smooth and very refined. I can only imagine how
much better the 725 and 925s are, while of course being at
significantly higher prices. There is no end to the
madness in this hobby/addiction!
vhiner OP
544 posts
 
Bill,

I've never heard the Rowlands but they are definitely among the most beautiful solid state designs, IMHO. ;-) I know Robert Harley loves them.
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Bump for a plea to Messrs Conrad and Johnson to come out with a Premier 350sa reissue amp. I will get inline for one if you offer it up. I want your best technology in this amp. Having just taken delivery of the GAT and ART monos, I am absolutely blown away with these superb examples. You have done an outstanding job on these amps and preamp. Thank you for giving me music in my room.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,578 posts
 
Vhiner -

Much Thanks! for sharing. I concur. The 350 is special indeed. This is my reference amp, especially, when matched w/ the CJ ACT2 Series2 preamp. And to read about it matching well w/ Thiel speakers (another fave of mine) is the icing on the cake!

My dream demo session would be the CJ ART3 + 350sa power amp w/ Thiel speakers!
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