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Help choosing a Conrad Johnson preamp

Hey all,

I am looking to finish off my system with a Conrad Johnson pre. I have narrowed it down to either the Premier 3, Premier 10 (line only), or Evolution 20 (exact match for my Evolution 2000, except extremely hard to find one for sale). Does anyone have any advice for me? My system is below:

Amplifiers: Conrad Johnson EV-2000, Conrad Johnson MV75A1, B&K ST-202
DAC: Musical Fidelity X-DAC V8 receiving USB signal
Power: Balanced Power Technologies Upgraded CPC
Speakers: Energy Veritas 2.4 floorstanding loudspeakers

Lastly, am I good keeping the X-DAC, or would it be worth it to find a CJ DA-2B tube DAC and connect via toslink for an all CJ setup?
solst1ce
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Can't comment on the main point, but I had a DA-2B (and the matching transport) and do NOT recommend it.
gmuffley
132 posts
 
If you need line only, of the group you mentioned, the Premier 10 is the best of the three.
bobheinatz
722 posts
 
Do not forget about the CJ CT6. I have owned this model for 2 years and I think it is the best buy of the line.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uru975
684 posts
 
If your looking for used the PV11 was a great preamp, a little on the warm side but incredibly good for its price point.
phaelon
1,052 posts
 

Hi Bobheinatz, does your "best of the line" statement include a comparison with the Premier 16LS2? I currently have the Premier 17LS and have been considering a move up to either of the two.

Hi Solst1ce, I haven't heard any of your preferred cj's, but if it means anything to you, of those three, cj is offering their proprietary capacitor upgrade to the Evolution 20 only.
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