Aesthetic Calypso or CJ Et3 or Primaluna Dialogue 3

Jeff,

look into the CJ ET-3 (ET-3SE is even better).  I know that CJ products do well w/ Rock music, as does, Pass Labs.  In fact, Jeff Dorgay of TONEaudio.com has recently added the CJ GAT2 (over $20K) to his TOTL Pass Labs power amps ($80K) in his reference system.

At one time he had all TOTL CJ gear in his reference system.  Clearly, this man is very wealthy and can (and does) buy whatever he wishes. This is a sound endorsement (no pun) for me.  What is the other gear, including cabling, in your system?  Happy Listening!

2nd Note;
my reference demo as of this date is a CJ ACT2 Series2 pre-amp (until I can audition an ART or GAT) with the CJ Premier 350SA power amp.
Eggleston speakers and Audience cables/cords round out the system.
I played everything-Classical, Rock, Metal and Jazz- all sounded excellent and never disappointed. Played very loud as well w/o issue!

Additionally,
I have demo'ed the Aesthetix Calypso in an all Aesthetix system w/ Vandersteen Treo/Quattro speakers and Silent Source cables/cords throughout.  A very nice, all tube system. I did not spend as much time w/ this system, as I did, with the CJ system. If I can answer any further queries let me know.  Happy Listening!

Jfant;

Your dancing down my trail!!!, too
I'm starting to drill down to my preamp.
I thought I wanted to get a "  CJ pv17ls" until I saw how many caps are in the units

I've heard nothing but, superlatives on the 16 & 17's and think it's my best sound choice.  The thought of replacing all caps as they get old( lots of $$) scares me?
They are of the ART series, but no one has any to listen to!!!

ive listened to a all CJ et3 & et5( Teflon caps) with Treos( non Ct).   It sounded harsh on the highs to me. Treo CT's are way smoother to me
The et3-5 bad taste was probably the system synergy

Ive also listened to the Calypso..... very, very nice & tending that way now
Richer sound to me, between a ARC ls26 and Prumaluna that I heard all together 

Primalunas are clean and sharp in some systems and smooth and warm, like I want, in others.      Tube rolling?   Not sure

so, Still fumbling around but did buy a Meridian Explorer2 dac
i heard nothing but good about the aprodizing filter & Meridian
It DOES make rock albums sound very, very nice ( 2-7k range) and smooth
and Its the cheap one!!!!
plus Tidal is streaming MQA now and it DOES  live up to hype. 

Im thinking I'll buy my Preamp at AXPONA in April ( all in one spot to listen and pull trigger)

keep me informed on on the ART sound profile when you find one 

jeff

ps:are you Ready to pull trigger on new stuff yet?      Or still in my fumbling stage?