CJ vs. BAT vs. THOR preamps, who's best?

In terms of your initial inquiry and the concept of mating tube pre w/ SS amp, my dealer has successfully matched VTL preamp with Ayre amp for a very involving sound. Lots of detail, good extension at both ends of the frequency spectrum, and a really musical midrange.

The VTL 7.5 is amazing, but very expensive. I've yet to hear but would be really interested in their new 6.5 which is supposed to get you much of the way there for much less coin (comparable to the units you were looking at.) Ayre to me seems to present the best of both worlds -- an almost tube-like musical presentation with plenty of SS oomph. Cardas cabling, I think.

All in all, a sound I could live with happily for a good, long time!

You just thought you were safe and satisfied. In the words of Michael Corleone, "every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in!"

Happy listening

I am not sure I can add much more to the above posts (particularly jmcgrogan's), except that I've owned both the BAT Vk-5i and the Thor TA-2000. To give you an idea of my sonic biases, I preferred the Thor over the VK-5i in all categories (e.g., tonality - which was more natural and extended, particularly in the upper midrange to treble- imaging, micro and macroynamics) save one: the Thor was just a touch noisier than the BAT VK-5i. In my system, I also found the Thor was a little more versatile when used with other amplifiers (including everything from an Aragon 4004 Mk II to Conrad Johnson Premier 8XS's to CAT JL-1's), whereas the BAT performed at its best for me only when paired with BAT amps in a balnced configuration. However, either one could be used with a solid state amp, particularly given the matchings that you propose. I never had any problems with either preamp, and found their respective companies to be both very accessible and willing to answer questions.

As to BAT's and CJ's top of the line units, while I demoed the VK-50se (one of BAT's previous top of the line), I was not sufficiently enamored of its sound to pursue further investigaion, and felt that the cost difference in upgrading from the VK-5 to the VK-50 was not justified. Moreover, given your stated preferences, I think the VK-5i more closely matches your desire for a euphonic-romantic presentation than the VK-50, which was more neutral and detailed than the VK-5i. (However, these opinions are based on one extended listening session with the VK-50se, so take that opinion with a large grain of salt).

The CJ ART/ACT preamps, on the other hand, are among the finest, if not the finest, active line stages I have heard. They provide everything you are looking for - sweet, balanced, a touch romantic, with natural sounding mids and authoritative bass, - but still are outstanding at resolving low level information, and present an extended, airy, and grain free treble. Thus, I would urge that you give tham a listen, if possible. (I would also suggest you skip the CJ 16LS, and go straight for the top of the line CJ units.)

thanks Fplanner, Dogfish, swampwalker... and John.. man I like that swampwalker handle... I keep thinking about the comic book character Swampthing".... well, anyhow... thanks... and John I've decided on one of the MIT ic'S BETWEEN PRE & AMP... it'll be one of the Magnums, not sure which.. probably the '2'... the shotgun 2 in there now is very good.

Psuedo balanced, or flat out & straight up balanced, I think regardless it's in the mix wether or not it'll work for my tastes. I'll just lug the amp with me. I'm fast getting to the notion (only took 30 yr.), it don't matter the science behind it. I'm not so arrogant as to 'need' a particular configuration inside, to be OK with what happens outside, but I do deeply appreciate the heads up on that aspect.

So that's where I'm at.. and for the time being, satisfied with what I've got now.. save for the sub and PRE TO AMP ic.

But things don't last forever. good or bad. Recalling another bit of wisdom I got here, having the 'additional' piece on site is a better way of making a good decision... so I may well end up with two pres... beats me. though my paths are far more defined now.. choices are clearer too. It's as always for me and some like me, simply a matter of time... and even that may shorten up a mite, should fortune smile in my direction.

Blindjim ain't bad either ;~). Are you?

cj pre amps are no longer sweet and romantic. I have had the ACT 2 and CT5 in my system for the last 2.5 months and I am afraid to say they are now too neutral, for my tastes at least. I found neither really posess that great midrange warmth or any bloom cj has always been famous for.
I own the cj prem350 and have previously owned the prem 16 and prem 8a's so it is with more than a little dissappointment that I sent both units back after a very long audition period.
Personally I found a friends little Cary SLP 98 more musical and better at being a tube pre amp than the cj's. It has nice tube warmth and makes all recordings fun to listen to.

If you value strict neutrality you will like the new cj pre amps, however if you like a little tube warmth and bloom, look at the prem 16/ART or look elsewhere.

cheers