new CJ sound compared to old CJ sound

From my perspective the short answer to your questions is: Yes.

On the CJ web site is a link to a Martin Colloms review of the ACT2 which includes comparisons to the ART and the 16LS. My own review of the ACT2 at soundstage.com does a direct comparison between the ACT2 and 16LS series 1. (Sorry for being a tout, but it seems relevant :-). Sounds like you've plenty of experience with CJ gear.

I have not heard the CT-5 yet - it is quite new and I don't believe CJ is advertising it just yet. A report I've had from someone who has heard it lends credence to the notion that the CT-5 is to the 16LS as the ACT2 is to the ART. Hope this helps.
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Tim , I just finished reading your review of the Act 2 in Soundstage . Wow. You nailed the review in convincing fashion. Having lived with the Act 2 as well as the Premier 350 for the better part of 1100 hours now I can faithfully say your experience mirrors my observatiions regarding its performance. I have the new Lp 140m monoblocs coming soon and will put them on my Pipedream 21 towers and move the 350 to the subs. Can you spell CJ Nirvana? i am so enamored with their new gear i hate to even dress for work. music has NEVER been this much fun for me . Again , thoughtful and complete review !

Hi Brainwater, Tim and Fjn, I've had the Premier 7b in the past. I think it was (and still is) a fine preamp. But to much hassle with tubes, so I changed to solid state (Accuphase C-290V, which is also very good). In my opinion the older CJ's have lots of air surrounding instruments and voices. I thought it could be a bit of false (artificial) "halo" or "air" somehow generated by the tube design I suppose, because it could be heard on nearly every recording. It was certainly pleasant but probably not what one hears in real live.