CJ Preamp on the way...

[jaxwired]

I've been looking for either a Premier 16/2 or a PV17LS/2, but the opportunity presented itself to try a PV14LS/2 so I went for it. Mint condition and a late production year with extra tubes and the upgraded remote.

I'm currently in search mode for just the right pre/amp or integrated to power my new speakers. I might end up going with an integrated but I'm trying preamps in front of my Bryston 4bsst2 first as I think there's a lot of potential with this combo.

I've got an ARC SP16L now and it sounds pretty special so the CJ is gonna have to knock my socks off to beat the ARC. I know I loved the sound of the CJ Classic SE that I was using previously. So it's a safe bet that the PV14LS/2 will also sound good the these ears. Just looking for that magic combination.

I came really close to pulling the trigger on the Premier 16 thats on Agon right now, but when this PV14 showed up I couldn't pass it up...

[joeinid]

Congratulations!

Looks like it should be a nice one. Please let us know when you get it.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jaxwired

I've been looking for either a Premier 16/2 or a PV17LS/2, but the opportunity presented itself to try a PV14LS/2 so I went for it. Mint condition and a late production year with extra tubes and the upgraded remote.

I'm currently in search mode for just the right pre/amp or integrated to power my new speakers. I might end up going with an integrated but I'm trying preamps in front of my Bryston 4bsst2 first as I think there's a lot of potential with this combo.

I've got an ARC SP16L now and it sounds pretty special so the CJ is gonna have to knock my socks off to beat the ARC. I know I loved the sound of the CJ Classic SE that I was using previously. So it's a safe bet that the PV14LS/2 will also sound good the these ears. Just looking for that magic combination.

I came really close to pulling the trigger on the Premier 16 thats on Agon right now, but when this PV14 showed up I couldn't pass it up...

Awesome! Those seem to be very nice, especially in Series 2 form. The PV14 should be pretty impressive; be very interested to see how it will stack up against the ARC SP16; my guess would be that it will stack up well.

[jaxwired]

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how I get on with it. I know it looks better than the ARC. My wifes first comments about the ARC was "looks like an 8 track player", thanks honey...

[turntable]

Nice pickup. I am sure you will enjoy it !!

[repman]

I hope you enjoy it, nice pre.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by jaxwired

I've been looking for either a Premier 16/2 or a PV17LS/2, but the opportunity presented itself to try a PV14LS/2 so I went for it. Mint condition and a late production year with extra tubes and the upgraded remote.

I'm currently in search mode for just the right pre/amp or integrated to power my new speakers. I might end up going with an integrated but I'm trying preamps in front of my Bryston 4bsst2 first as I think there's a lot of potential with this combo.

I've got an ARC SP16L now and it sounds pretty special so the CJ is gonna have to knock my socks off to beat the ARC. I know I loved the sound of the CJ Classic SE that I was using previously. So it's a safe bet that the PV14LS/2 will also sound good the these ears. Just looking for that magic combination.

I came really close to pulling the trigger on the Premier 16 thats on Agon right now, but when this PV14 showed up I couldn't pass it up...

Seriously though, nice find. Enjoy it!

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Seriously though, nice find. Enjoy it!

+1

[jaxwired]

PV14LS2 arrived yesterday. Listened last night and this morning. One thing I noticed is that manual says it takes tubes called 6c4 but it appears to have Mullard 8080s in it. And I got two extra sets of the Mullards. So I'm guessing the original tubes have been replaced by the previous owner?

Regarding the sound, very surprising, and not at all what I expected. I'm wondering if its because of the tube change.

The bass is way less fat than the CJ classic SE I had before. In fact, I have moved my speakers closer to the walls with this preamp. The bass is there, but it's extremely controlled in comparison to the classic SE or even my ARC SP16L. If I switch in my ARC with the speakers where they are now, I've got too much bloom and the bass is boomy. Not with the PV14, the bass is never boomy at all. However, I like lots of bass, so I'm not sure about this...

However, the mids and the highs are WOW!!!! Super clean without being bright. The mids have lots of richness, but with crystal clarity. Without a doubt more clear than than my ARC. And because I can move the speaker closer to the walls, I think the soundstage and imaging is improved by the wider speaker separation.

To say the least, the sound is a shocker. Very different from the CJ Classic SE. BTW, anyone that says all amps sound the same truly must be deaf.

Oh, and YES, I have the speaker cable inverted to correct the phase.

[Rafale]

Mullard M8080 and 6C4 are equivalent
the stock tubes in my previously owned ET2 and PV15 was Mullard M8080
not obvious that the origanl tubeshave been replaced