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The final Act in a study in preamps the ART 3

Tom Cruise is rescuing a female agent he trained in Mission Impossible 3. He finds her alive but weak . He needs her to jump up and save the world with him so he shoots her in the chest with a jolt of adrenaline . She was alive technically but now she instantly becomes superwoman..... for while anyway. Thus goes the saga of my latest personal occupation . The study of a few remarkable preamps.

I did an "impression" of the CJ Act 2. I then did a follow-up on the replacement , the Act 2.2. The 2.2 was the superwoman injected with the adrenaline to be sure. It certainly was capable of conquering the world with Tom but alas, the story takes another Hollywood twist : Enter the Conrad Johnson ART 3 .

This again is an impression piece and this starts a series of posts dedicated to resolving this work of ...." Art".

There will only be 25 made , half are already sold and at 25k , doesn't fit into many audiophiles budgets. I am lucky to be without kids , with an incredibly understanding wife and have the time, passion and patience to address this study competently. It has about 50 hours on it , hardly enough to press a key but what needs too be stated are a few obvious differences between the Act and Art series of valve preamps from Lew and Bill.

The system it is being evaluated in is as follows. Aerial 20 T main speakers , 2 Aerial SW 12 subs , Conrad Johnson LP 140 Monoblocs , APL Hi Fi NWO 2.5 Universal player , Kubala Sosna Emotion cables . Sound Application RLS conditioners , Sistrum stands.

The Art starts deeper in the Yin region initially than either Act siblings. The Acts ability to settle comfortably inside itself is really interesting to watch... or listen to. The Act fidgets around moving up towards neutral as it fleshes out its unique sonic character and strengths . Then it emboldens the midrange blooming luxuriously as the Teflon caps mature into something that draws you inside its world of color and speed. This phenomenon seems to settle it back into the yin where the midrange takes you ... " body and soul . " It never however loses its grip on transparency , immediacy , leading edge definition and ambience retrieval. The 2.2 however continues the evolution and struts its sonic wardrobe in unimaginable directions and leaves you passionately involved with your beloved music library.This is the moment we wait for : the connection to the music that literally moves you and keeps you glued to your seat for hours on end. It is simply what CJ is famous for. Whether I regret losing the 2.2 over the ART 3 will remain to be seen as the Act 2.2 was the best sounding preamp I have ever encountered by a wide margin . We will also see if the adrenaline pumping superwoman will be overcome by this intimidating newcomer that is threatening to bump her from Toms side . This will be interesting indeed . Stay tuned for progressive follow-ups to the final chapter in a 3 part series of preamplifiers from one of the most beloved audio companies ever formed . Conrad Johnson.

Brent Rainwater
brainwater
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Hi Brainwater

How is the cj ART3 going now??

I have to tell you & Tim if you are viewing that cj is back in my life baby!!.

I just bought a pre luved ART. number 56 in fact (thanks Jimbox) It sounds just wonderful. Music just seems to float in a huge 3d soundstage sounding as natural and unforced as I have ever heard.

AS you know the ACT2 and CT5 did not really float my boat, however I always luved my prem 16 and regretted selling it 3 years ago on my grass is greener over the next hill tour. Sometimes you must look back to move forward.

I have had the ART since Monday and enjoying my music more than ever, which is the point isn't it.

I even feel privilaged to have one of the 250 ART's ever made. In the future if I feel the need or desire I can upgrade to series 2 or heaven forbid series 3.

Yes the ART is truely one of the great pre amps.
jtimothya
612 posts
 

Congrats Shane - that is great! The 16LS is the 'baby ART' so its father should take you to just the right spot for your sonic preferences. Now all you need are some nice Amperex Orange Globe 6DJ8 or 7308s. :-)

Tim
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Thanks Tim

the ART seems to be a lot quieter than the LS16 ever was, however I think most of that is from the Mac 2102's. They are a lot quieter than my old prem8a's.

What do the Amperex Orange globe's bring to the musical equation?.
I am sure they are expensive and buying 10 should be fun.

The stk electro harmonic's sound prety good at the moment
jtimothya
612 posts
 
I mentioned Amperex Organge Globes because they seem to be out there, are not the priciest, and are a reasonable representative of what early (NOS or near NOS) tubes can do. But there is a variety of manufacturers: Telefunken, Siemans, Mullard, etc. You don't need all ten of the same manufacturer , but they must all be of the same type (6DJ8, 6922 or 7308). I've found that mixing manufacturers can yield the best results. I'm guessing that two or three per channel would make an improvement.

So what do less than contemporary tubes bring? Typically more extended highs, much better harmonics, and often a deeper more dimensional souundstage. Their sound tends to be less 'mechanical' or analytic - but I don't want to over-generalize. And NOS usually will last quite a bit longer. That was certainly the case with my 16LS. There simply was no point listening to the stock CJ 6922s (typically Sovtek) when there were easily better choices. Price is all over the map - anywhere from $35 a tube up to several hundred. Depends on the seller and the tube.

Tube rolling is one thing I miss w/ the ACT2.

Tim
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I just picked up an ART series 3. Out of the box it sounds wonderful. It has about 100 hours on it now and is just getting better and better while maintaining all the strong points of the original ART.

Just a magical timeless music making machine and I am very lucky to own one.

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