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Conrad Johnson--Best used Model

I just purchased a Pass Labs XA 30.5 & want to pair with a CJ preamp

I'm looking for experience on which model to by used or new for $1-3 k

I would love the Lush house sound with details and soundstage without being plodding

Frozen

frozentundra
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Been one my whole life !

1) I moved away from cj separates to downsize to a Cary Integrated which was fine for awhile but I kept having issues with power tubes. I decided to try some Pass components and that is where I am today. Also speaker changes through the years led to some of the changes in amplification.
2) The 90's cj pre-amps possessed a warm and smoothness that to me was very nice especially the 16 series II as it also had some nice detail (wished I would have kept that pre-amp).
The newer cj amps are more analytical less lush but are very nice sounding. I would not hesitate to go with cj again as I found their components very reliable and their customer service was top notch. The pass sound is very nice as well; detailed and smooth with very good bass control.
3) VPI TT, Herrron VTPH-2 phono-stage, heavily modded Sony SCD-1 with Focal Be monitors. 
sunnyjim
927 posts
 

I am not quite sure buying a  used CJ pre-amp is a worth even a mint one.  What are you really getting for your money?? Most CJ pre-amps and line stages have no remote, headphone jack ( or amp)  and no phono stage.   Sure, if you want the purest sound, a no-feature line stage "may' be great..  Of the above features, the headphone feature may be most optional.. 

However, it you are still doing analog and a have quality set-up, you have to purchase an outboard phono stage which could run as much as $500 possibly more. (Unless you can find a used mint Musical Surrounding Phonnom  II which can be had for about $350. Also an additional IC must be purchased that is almost audiophile level. 

The volume control I always considered as a type of tone control which allows the listener to adjust levels incrementally until you have reached a volume compatible with the dynamics of the recording  Therefore, it is easier and more enjoyable to do this from your listening position than getting up every 5-10 minutes to adjust volume as you from track to track on a CD or LP

 I had a CJ PV-8  in 1988, and in retrospect, I was happy it had a MM phono stage; I took it for granted that it was more than adequate quality, and I played a 80% LP's in those days, and only 20% CD's  It sounded good, but I was somewhat uninformed about the differences in  sound quality between  phono stages.. That is my 2 cents.  Good Luck    

bondmanp
1,836 posts
 
I had a PV-11 for several years.  It was a wonderful preamp, and had a wonderful MM phono stage.  I had C-J go over it and bring it up to original spec for $200(!).  Ultimately, I had to sell it because the balance control did not have enough range to deal with my room, source, and software channel imbalances (yes, I am obsessive about a well-centered soundstage).  Also, I wanted, and got, a preamp with a remote control.  But as far as sound quality goes, the PV-11 was a wonderful piece of kit. 
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
I can't comment on any of the recent offerings from CJ as I haven't listened in a familiar system but I HAVE been listening for the past year to a PV9a extensively upgraded including bypass caps, resistors, diodes and wire among other things by Bill Thalmann in Virginia. All of this made a quite excellent performer into quite possibly the most engaging preamplifier I have personally owned.  Only downside, too much line stage gain and limited in the use of medium to low output MC phono cartridges and no remote which I don't view as a necessity although a nice convenience.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,529 posts
 
Thoughts on a CJ CT-6 preamp anyone?
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