VTL 5.5 VS CJ Premier 17

Okay, fair enough. I got the Calypso here on Audiogon at a price enabling me to flip it if -- compared side by side to the CL 17 LS2 -- it didn't sound as good. My sole reason for getting it was that I was sick and tired of switching speaker cables to effect polarity changes.

So imagine my surprise and delight when I found that I liked the Calypso, sonically, better than the CJ. It must be at least partially a system synergy thing, since I've heard none of the negatives you ascribe to the Calypso. Tube rolling did help -- I'm now using Mullard E88CCs and Tele smooth plate 12AX7s (two each) in the Calypso and these are the same Mullards that were in the CJ before I sold it. Two Calypso bonuses for me: Its paralleled XLR and RCA inputs/outputs have been a boon, especially with an Otari tape deck that sports only XLRs. And Jim White of Aesthetix has been both accessible and responsive, even on weekends when I had questions.

But if the Calypso is not an option for you, I can strongly recommend the CJ 17LS2. Sorry I can't help with the VTL comparisons. I did NOT consider the Premier 14 "syrupy," just not in the same sonic league as the 17LS2. Good luck, Dave

I have tried a Calypso also (two of my friends have them) and tube rolling (except the latest tubes Jim has sound great) is a requirement. Plus one of my friends had your CJ 2500A amp (with a transformer humm that CJ would fix saying they all do that...he sold it) as good as that amp is I bet the Calypso was showing you how digital you digital front end is....

What is your front end? As you start to get to these truely great preamps they also reveal all the flaws in a system instead of masking them in syrup.

Like you already found out system synergy is key, I had a huge ground humm that I couldn't cure with the Calypso in my system but it worked perfectly at my friends house or I would own it.. bargain component.

The LS16mkII is another great preamp if you need single ended only.

Andr the premier 14 is FAR from syrupy sounding, it is the closest thing CJ got to solid state sounding prior to the original LS17. It will melt your ears if the recording or an upstream component demands it. OHO it improved dramatically on the warm sounding CJ pre's prior to it, but managed to keep that luscious CJ midrange and improve on extension and air. I'm not trying to change your mind, VTL 5.5 is very nice, I just prefer CJ preamps and the premier 14 in particular. Plus, I don't change equipment very often, I've had Thiel 3.6 for 10 years and the premier 14 for about 9 years...thats a lifetime in audiophile years!

Thanks for all your answers.