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CJ Sonographe SA-400 now discontinued Any good?

Conrad-Johnson Amps in general seem to be highly regarded. But I have seen this amp (brand new) selling for nearly half its retail price of $1700 with little or no interest. Is this amp an undiscovered gem or a black sheep in the CJ family. What would you recommend for a solid state amp in the $2000 dollar range to drive a pair of Paradigm Studio 60's?
nigel45
gbm4th
57 posts
 
I have the sonographe SA-250 and its a good amp with a clean, warm sound. Mini-review in Stereophile May 2000, Stereophile class B recommended amp in 2001. The SA-400 should sound the same if not better.
pcs
109 posts
 
I have also been following used c-j amps on this sight with interest. I notice the pricing between the sonographe SA-250 and the older c-j-2100 amp are usually very close. Has anyone heard both? Any comments on the differences between these two? Thanks, Paul
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Belles 150A Hot Rod for $1,500 new or $1,000 used. Powerful and detailed. A real top-end performer.

Sam Tellig also reviewed the 150A in the December 2000 issue of Streophile:
"One of the most successfully tubelike solid-state amplifier.... I found the Belles exceptionally easy to listen to, with a liquidity, and easy-flowing quality, that was quite captivating. The midrange seemed slightly accentuated, imparting the liveliness and immediacy to the amplifier that reminded me of single-ended triode designs".

Soundstage review:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/belles_150a_hotrod.htm

Soundstage Reviewers Choice 1999:
http://www.reviewerschoice.com/rchoice1999.htm

Audiophile Audition:
http://www.audaud.com/audaud/MAY01/EQUIP/equip3MAY01.html
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