Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamplifier vs Conrad Johnson ET5 (or CT5) preamplifier

@awise1961 Certainly the comparison with a GAT and a pair of LP275M is merciless and impossible for any Primaluna product, being in any case very distant also in terms of price ranges and market segment. I was wondering if even with a less valuable Et5 the argument of Conrad superiority remains valid.

I had the same preamp several years ago. For a tad more jumped to a VTL TL 6.5 series 1, Was a huge jump in performance for about the same money or maybe a few hundred more. Better dynamics, deeper bass, better image depth. 

yukio,

If you haven't done so already, head over to the conradjohnson owners forum. You will get lot's of info on the ET5 and how it compares to other CJ equipment,

My first CJ preamp was an ET5.  It sounded really good, but I had a hard time with the tube.  It only uses one and that tube works hard.  Anyway, I wont bore you with the long story of all the tubes I bought from all the highly recommended sellers before a kind soul put me wise and I bought a tube directly from Jeff at CJ.  Problem solved and lesson learned.  I just re-tubed my CJ ART 88, 27A, and ART Phono.  All the tubes came from Jeff at CJ.  Yes they are more expensive.  But I learned my lesson.  I wish you great joy with your ET5.

I would pay the extra for CJ. However, you mention ET5 vs CT5. Looking at the spec's, a bit different design. Most obvious is the tubes, ET5 using one 6922 and the CT5 having a pair of 6N30P's (great tubes). Obviously the newer design is probably the better option. I haven't heard the newer ET but I am familiar with the CT5 and think it's the cat's meow.