CJ preamp upgrade suggestions

Ericteh, Are the Telefunkens you are using current production or NOS?

Upscale Audio recently purchased a large quantity of brand new, never used NOS NIB (new in box) Telefunken E88CCs and is selling them for a very good price. I would strongly recommend that you try these in a preamp of the quality of the GAT. I can't guarantee that you'll like them but you owe it to yourself to give them a try.

If you buy new Telefunkens elsewhere, make sure they are not the JJs labeled Telefunken currently being manufactured. I haven't compared them but I think most would agree the JJs are not Telefunken quality tubes.

While you're at it, call Kevin Deal at Upscale and discuss what you are looking for in the sound of your tubes. Some people don't like Kevin's manner on the phone, but Kevin knows tubes and tube gear and is a straight shooter, maybe that's why some people don't like him.

He has a great selection of NOS tubes and the best testing gear. You should be able to find the perfect tubes for your GAT along with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are getting what you paid for.

I have no connection to Upscale and have never met Kevin.

Hi Tomcy6,

Thanks for the tube info and source recommendations. I'll call this week and speak with both parties. Some years ago, I did speak with Kevin. I found his manner aloof, however he seemed very knowledgeable. I've since then read and heard good things about him.

Thanks again!

Hi Mfoley,

The Telefunkens are NOS (not the current production by JJ).

Most ball bearing isolation devices I've heard bring good speed, focus and resolution to a system, but with a tendency to make the overall sound dry and a bit too analytical. The Stillpoints bring all the benefits to the table, but have a surprisingly liquid and smooth top end. However, placement is critical. It takes days of experimentation to find the exact location.

Although using just 3 makes it easier to balance, I found that using four Stillpoints to sound better. They are height adjustable so levelling them is possible.

Hi All, I now have about 500 hours on the GAT and I'm very pleased. Concurrent with the break in of the GAT, I've also been breaking in the LP140Ms (they now have about 400 hours on them) which were purchased new and also new Siltech 770L speaker cables (that now have about 300 hours on them) With all of that happening simultaneously, I can't really differentiate among the three in terms of specific sonic impact. However. I'm very pleased with how everything has come together. The sound is highly detailed and dynamic, imaging is very specific and well defined and the soundstage is deeper, wider and higher. Most importantly,instruments and vocals are rendered accurately (at least to my ear) and overall the system is non fatiguing and a pleasure to live with.
I've added four Stillpoints Ultra Minis under the CDP, Pre and amps. I also added 3 Rollerblocks under the RSA Haley power conditioner. The result was an immediate improvement in imaging, soundstage, dynamics and an even quieter background. I had also purchased Stillpoints Ultra SS (4 for each speaker), but those have been returned for exchange as their thread size was inappropriate for the Diablos. I expect to have the correct ones in three days.
I have not yet experimented with the sonic effect of the Symposium shelf under the GAT. I also have not yet added a dedicated circuit for the amps, nor have I ordered the Telefunken 6922 tubes from Upscale. I'll update this post once I have.