Conrad Johnson amps: premier 12, premier 8,LP275M

source is a CEC TL 0 + a JADIS JS1 CONVERTER and all the cables are by NIRVANA SX LTD.
Actually more looking on an hybrid amp (best of both world)

the famous house sound has been gone for several years. the last great amp was the cj mv 125. i have been looking for one for a while. i have heard this amp drive a pair of magnepans.

the classic romantic sound with a premier 12 is mostly gone when tubed with chryo kt 120s instead of stock regular 6550c's. regular kt 120s are about one third of the change.

Hi Rocc

Based on your question.
Absolutely no question a pair of prem8a's will give you the added authority and power in the lower octaves. It will also be better sounding in every other parameter compared to the prem12's whilst maintaining cj's famous sound signature you like from the 12's.
No doubt the lp275's will be also better, however I have not heard them personally so do not want to categorically state how they will sound.

I have had my prem8's upgraded with cj's Teflon cap upgrade. Based on this upgrade vs the original prem8a you get a dramatically quieter amp, better dynamics and a more pure transparent sound. I would expect/hope the lp275's would be better again.

I have had owned the prem350 amp twice. It sounds like good ss, nothing more and the prem8a's are comfortably better sounding IMO. It is also quite noisy as it is very high gain.

As far as different tubes go in my system.
I have Kt120's, winged C 6550's and Tung Sol 6550's for my cj prem8a's. 16 each of the buggers.

My preference in sound quality is in reverse order to the above.
The TS 6550 reissues have superior upper frequencies in detail and texture and a nice tight bass.
The Winged C 6550's are great all rounders that do nothing wrong and a most things right.
The KT120 is like a big Cadillac V8. Nice spacious sound with good bass weight. Always seems to be cruising but for me in my system lacks the speed and transparency of the other two that gives music that up and go.

I don't think you can go wrong with either the prem8 or lp275's. Your choice dependant on budget. I have think the prem8a's look better :-)

BTW, the prem16 is such a sweet pre amp :-)

Cheers