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Which is REALLY the best Conrad Johnson Preamp

I would like to start a discussion about what you think is the best sounding CJ Preamp. Just because the manufacturer needs to change to sell more boxes and Magazines need advertising dollars doesn't always mean that the sonics have improved. For example some audiophiles like the older art series over the new GAT Preamps and it's lesser siblings. Would like the informed opinions of those lucky audiophiles who have heard both. I like the old CJ sound but haven't heard the new offerings.
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oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,503 posts
 
Speaking of tubes , the Gold Lion 6922 has been great, only tube to last more than a year in it.   I just put a a NOS Phillips / Mazda  ecc88 tube in it and I am really loving the sound.  
jafant
19,002 posts
 

Thanks! for sharing- mallen123


Jeff Dorgay of TONEaudio (webzine) uses the new GAT2 on top-of-the-line Pass Labs power amps in his reference system.


He used to own the Act2 Series2, then, stepped up to the GAT. And now GAT2.  Happy Listening!

mikey8811
259 posts
 
Jafant

It's unusual to run the Pass Labs single ended as they sound better balanced but I guess Jeff Dorgay has his reasons for doing so.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
 CJ ET5 wonderful sound using with Pass 350.8 very happy has wonderful stage width and depth,great highs,great bass,great soundstage etc.It is a real winner in my system.Enjoy! 
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,503 posts
 
I have to say this about the Classic 2 SE, it was the single most noticeable upgrade ever in any of my systems over the years.  I've had a number of very good preamplifiers over the years and this unit walks all over them in terms of sound quality .   Zero listening fatigue with this pre,  I can and often do listen for hours on end.   

This unit gets looked down upon due to lack of remote, but it is all about the sound with this pre.      It's a complete 180 compared to some of my previous preamplifiers.   No balance control or tone controls,  just a power switch, a source selector, and a volume knob....that's  it.      It's a sleeper that will probably get passed over due to its lack of remote which is too bad....  
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