Conrad JOHNSON Phono Preamps

Hi Jeff,
This is way off topic, but briefly my system as it relates to C-J is GAT2, TEA1iii, ART150, all of these powered by a PS Audio P20 power conditioner.  To  your question of noise, the TEA1 is quiet competitive with the best solid state, the TEA2max had some noise more typical of vacuum tube electronics.  This is in my primary home in Florida.  We have two older homes in New England with older less exotic systems and I can tell you I would be thrilled to have an ET3 in either or both of those.  There is nothing second rate about an ET3.

@billstevenson 

I was told the CJ Sound was the “ English gentleman “ of sq. Refined, grainless with all the detail and soundstage 
But, I almost returned the ET3, as it was more edgy than what I wanted.( Thiel speakers at that time )

I tried Matsushita/National 7dj8 Cyro and was dumbfounded by the change .    Needless to say, I’ve kept it , and love it now 

I keep hearing that CJ preamps are hard on tubes ?   But not a issue here.

What other components round out your system?
I would especially like to know your cartridge, as your CJ sq , and preferences are probably close to  mine ?

Jeff

ps: take care in Florida with the “ crud” 

I have a lot of cartridges.  The best of my better MC cartridges has been an Ortofon Per Winfeld, but I have more recently been happier with the sound of a SoundSmith Experion, which is a MI, based on the older Bang & Olufson design, which in turn is based on an old Grado design.  Anyway the Experion is sublime.  I have two turntables in this system, a VPI HW40, and a Technics SL1200GAE sitting side by side.  I usually have the SL1200 set up for Mono and the HW40 for Stereo.  I listen to a lot of old jazz and so need both, back and forth all the time.  Speakers are Sony SS-AR2.

There is a host of other stuff, cables, rcm, digital stuff, SUT and on and on.  My grandmother got me started in this hobby, I am 72 years old now and have records in my collection acquired when I was 11 or 12 years old.  A lot of stuff.
Before I bought the GAT2, I had an ET5 and it was indeed hard on tube, singular it only had one.  The GAT2 seems to have solved that problem.  I believe the high gain, combined with using one tube for both channels was asking too much of one tube in the ET55.  Anyway, it sounded marvelous until it got noisy, about every 6 months for me, but I play my system 2-4 or more hours every day.  The ET3 doesn't make the same demand on the tubes.  It is really a great design.

@billstevenson 

wow,
I’ve heard of the Orth Winfield 
 top of the pile !

I’m excited to get started 

The old albums with great microphones and analog Sonics is going to be “The Best”

but, I’m sure the learning curve will be ugly.

I’ve got two audio buddies with superb analog Setups , to guide me, though. ( I know how great analog can be !)

jeff

Enjoy the adventure. It will not be ugly.