2. amps-preamps
  3. 178088-162635

conrad johnson CAV45, CA200,...

I've been wondering why conrad johnson has no line stage in their "control amplifiers" like the CAV45, CA200, CA150, ...  Their manual says that it "eliminates an entire stage of audio circuitry (the line stage) and its inherent colorations."  I get that idea and I can see why other manufacturers with a minimalist approach to the signal path might eliminate a line stage from an integrated amp.  But why cj, who manufactures and sells so many excellent preamplifiers? 

I'm curious about the thinking here, but I'm really curious how these control amps sound compared to cj separates.  Has anyone listened to a cj control amp next to comparable cj preamp/amp combo that can share their thoughts?

jt449
jond's avatar
jond
5,741 posts
 

Making a truly good sound preamp is expensive, so it's good way to keep costs down in a setup where c-j can optimize the interface.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,702 posts
 

The CAV 45 is an excellent sounding amp.   Supposedly the mk II is even better.   CJ just knows how to voice their amps to "just sound right"   

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,426 posts
 

It is designed to use the source signal that is more than enough to power the amp section as designed. 

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,343 posts
 

Perhaps it could be a cost cutting way to keep the price within reason?

jt449 OP
2 posts
 

Thanks for your thoughts!  It seems the likely reason is to keep the cost down.  Better to skip the line stage than build an inexepensive one.

So I should expect something like a PV14 + MF2275 to sound better than a CA150? 

Or, for another example, a Classic 62 amp + Classic 2 preamp would sound better than a CAV45 S2 ?

More to discover