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Opinions on vintage cj amps and Teflon cap mods

I'm seeking opinions on having a vintage amp modified/updated. While I'm enjoying my conrad johnson Premier V as is, I can hear some significant differences when compared to some of the more modern amps I've heard. In my opinion, the sound I'm getting from my system is too soft, particularly the leading edge of notes and the upper base/lower mids. Decay, air, ambiance and overall musicality are great IMO. conrad johnson is offering modifications to the Premier 4&5 amplifiers which would include a new power supply and Teflon capacitors. What's crucial to me, is that I'm looking to improve the amplifiers performance, not just change it. The cj person I talked with said they've modified a couple of the Premier 4s with "smashing success". Thanks in advance for your experiences and opinions.
phaelon
sns
3,419 posts
 
I'm planning on capacitor upgrades to my CJ MV-55. I will use Jantzen Z-Superior Copper at the lower end of price scale, VH Audio V-Caps at higher end.

Based on my experience, either of these caps should provide the improvements you're looking for, while retaining the essential CJ sound. I wonder what caps CJ uses in their upgrade?
paulzero
9 posts
 
Hi Phaelon,

A "new" power supply in a 1984 vintage amp would make one heck of a difference, detail would probably improve along with more bass definition and solidity, along with better control over all. The new coupling caps will help too, but you've got a ton of output tubes (8 EL34's) so trying some other tubes might be another avenue, but I would go for the power supply and cap upgrade and see where you stand.

This can't be cheap though, and you really have to like the amps in their present state to spend more $$ on them.

Improved performance is a sticky issue, since the amps performance (output power, bandwith, stability) are a function of the circut to a great extent. The fact that CJ is doing the work is a big plus. Good luck.

Regards..Paul
downunder
1,329 posts
 
cj are using their expensive proprietary teflon caps for these offered upgrades, which they use in all their new way more expensive amps.

I am sure cj would not offer the upgrades if they did not feel they gave a noticible improvement over there old caps ( closer to how their current amp line up sounds one would guess).
Why would they bother ruining their 2nd to none great customer service reputation ?.

Would be nice to hear someone who has actually done the upgrade thou.

cheers
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I have owned the 5's and the 8's (about 2 years on each and about 8/10 years ago.)While they were hot stuff back then it's not hard to trounce them with today's amps.---Whatever you do you will have a very old amp that you could throw lots of money into; which you'll never re coupe.
If you got a hold of the CJ350,a SS amp;hooked it up to your speakers,if they are revealing enough---you wouldn't believe your ears.(or miss the tubes)---BTW I had Bill Thallman redo my 5's. My 8's were the triode/only version.---Compared to the SS amp these tubes amps are the poster picture of "soft-mushy" in tube amp design.
dusty
60 posts
 
I'm with avguygeorge regarding the recoup of money spent on upgrades. Unless the guy doing the work knows his stuff, you could wind up with a result that is worth a lot less than the original. That being said, both C-J and Bill Thallman do GREAT work, and know the products inside and out.
I had Bill T. work on a pair of amps and a preamp (all of which are a lot older than your 5's)and I thought the sound was similar to pre-update, but had much more "clarity". My update was before Teflon caps were generally available.
Just like an vintage car; if you really love them, then have C-J do an upgrade, if you think they're lacking compared to the newer models, then don't.
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