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Air Tight ATM-3, ATM-1 or Thalmann modded CJ Premier Fives?

Would love opinions as i have narrowed a replacement amp search down to these three amps. i will be replacing a Shindo Montrachet that I love, but discovered after I bought it that it is really not made to drive speakers like Quad esl-63s, even though I biamp. Gotta keep the Quads!

I am a "musicality" listener... I am not looking for ultimate neutrality is that means a clear, thin midrange and too much treble balance. I like a rich, organic, full midrange, great timbre/texture, zero edge or brightness, and as much resolution as possible without violating the first three requirements. All things equal Esl-63s like power or at least big trannies to.bring out their macro dynamics. I liisten to 50% acoustic jazz and blues, 30% classical and 20% rock. System is sota star sapphire, ear 834p, Thor TA-1000 pre, quad esl-63 rebuilt by electrostatic solutions (awesome company, product and guy by the way), and vandersteen 2wq subs w passive first order crossovers. digital uses audio note 3.1 sig dac.

The cj premier fives have the Thalman teflon cap upgrade... i just dont know what to expect sonically from them because I never head stock fives but i like the old cj sound pretty well, but quads like some power so they could be interesting. i really want to stick w el-34 tubes, no 6550 amps. I always lusted after Air Tight.

Thanks in advance for thoughts on sonic comparisons between these three amps!

montaldo
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,833 posts
 
Good Day montaldo,

the teflon upgrade makes an excellent product, outstanding!
What other gear, including cabling, is in your system?

I have spent much time w/ CJ gear over the years. I am not familar w/ the Premier Fives? How old are the amp(s) in question?
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,833 posts
 
Sidenote: Bill Thalman used to work for CJ, like Steve McCormick, he operates out of Virginia.  If you are serious about the CJ gear- I would reach out and touch him for a consultation. He still offers service/parts for CJ products.
jond's avatar
jond
5,860 posts
 
@montaldo I used to own an Air Tight ATM-1 and I would say its a nice amp, very solid and on the neutral end of the tube sound spectrum, I admired it more than I really loved it. But I had it in my earlier days as an audiophile and wasn’t much into tube rolling so not sure I extracted all that I could from that amp. I am with you on 6550 tubes my first tube amp was a cj premier 11a which turned me off the 6550 for life. I would suspect the ATM-3 would be a nice upgrade on the ATM-1 but I’ve never heard it and can’t comment on the cj fives. Big EL34 lover myself too bad about your Shindo that’s a very nice amp, but I understand not wanting to change your Quads talk about an all time classic. Good luck and keep us posted which direction you ultimately go.
montaldo OP
202 posts
 
Jafant, my system is a Sota star sapphire, ear 834p, Thor TA-1000 pre, quad esl-63 rebuilt by electrostatic solutions, and vandersteen 2wq subs w passive first order crossovers. digital uses audio note 3.1 sig dac.

Premier fives were made from 1981-1985 i believe. At  this point i think i might like a restored pair stock instead of the teflon cap thing. i dont like the clean and clear neutrality thing.

Jond: yeah the quads are too good, to my ears. the Shindo is honestly the best amp i have owned, following nice amps like vtl mb-185 sigs, cary 805, etc. vtls were fantastic until i had to buy new tubes and kevin deal broke the news that you really cant get thr st. petersburg 6550 like they used to make. i bailed on 6550s for good. loved the 805s but they seemed dead on top even to my ears but i think single ended w quads creates issues so i dont blame the wonderful 805s. but oh that Shindo! pure music.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,034 posts
 

Montaldo,

I don't have direct experience, but from what I've read, you should be aware that the Teflon caps have a very long break-in period before they sound their best.

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