Having owned several of each during the "golden age" of the 80's and 90's and listening to virtually all of them during that time when they WERE both widely available at B&Ms, I agree that the CJ's were generally warmer. Another notable difference between the two is that ARC products had a more immediate, upfront presentation and the CJs more laid back or midhall. I don't know if that STILL holds true as I haven't had the opportunity to listen to the later offerings of CJ but I can imagine that I could own an ART (90's) or GATT (current) and never look back: REAL improvements in a well designed piece of audio gear can be gotten by modification of current parts which can improve performance dramatically as I have recently discovered in a PV9a from that era which I am totally enjoying.
My impression of some of the later ARC gear is a focus towards greater "accuracy" and "neutrality" through more modest upgrades to keep the loyal fans coming back, marketing. It seems CJ has taken a different approach offering fewer products at longer intervals for what reasons I know not. They certainly were more prolific during the 80's than ARC when you add in their Motiff and Evolution products! The Motiff from that era was the ONLY ss I would have considered owning. Throughout the 90's until now their offerings were fewer and farther between after the ART was introduced in the mid 90s. Their current GATT is the same price. Whether there are notable improvements between those 2 products I sure can't comment on as I've only heard in unfamiliar systems.
I have found the build quality of both products to be superb and don't believe that is the issue. The proliferation of so much tube gear over the past 25 years when in the 80's there were only ARC, CJ, CAT and VTL and a few other more minor brands along with the overall decline of the number of Brick and mortar shops seems to have had more an effect on CJ. It seems ARC has done a better job over the years marketing and as a result their products are more readily available but I sure doubt in any meaningful way "better" than CJ.
My impression of some of the later ARC gear is a focus towards greater "accuracy" and "neutrality" through more modest upgrades to keep the loyal fans coming back, marketing. It seems CJ has taken a different approach offering fewer products at longer intervals for what reasons I know not. They certainly were more prolific during the 80's than ARC when you add in their Motiff and Evolution products! The Motiff from that era was the ONLY ss I would have considered owning. Throughout the 90's until now their offerings were fewer and farther between after the ART was introduced in the mid 90s. Their current GATT is the same price. Whether there are notable improvements between those 2 products I sure can't comment on as I've only heard in unfamiliar systems.
I have found the build quality of both products to be superb and don't believe that is the issue. The proliferation of so much tube gear over the past 25 years when in the 80's there were only ARC, CJ, CAT and VTL and a few other more minor brands along with the overall decline of the number of Brick and mortar shops seems to have had more an effect on CJ. It seems ARC has done a better job over the years marketing and as a result their products are more readily available but I sure doubt in any meaningful way "better" than CJ.