Premier 350 and CT-5: It's time to get systematic

[Tonepub]

Originally Posted by Jérôme W

Bob,

Higher price does not always mean better sound.
At this level, it could be possible to prefer the CJ. to the Dart or the 911's.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Having lived with the P350 for almost five years before switching to the Burmester 911 mk.3, the Burmester definitely has a level of refinement that the 350 does not have (though the 350 is still excellent in this regard) you really have to go to a pair of 911's to get more dynamic punch than a single 350.

For the money, and especially now what you can pick up a used 350 for, it really is tough to beat unless you have five figures to spend. And even then, the synergy of a P350 with an ACT 2, ART 3 or the GAT is amazing.

Perhaps the only achilles heel with the 350 is that for a SS amp it is very sensitive to loading: i.e. don't ever disconnect the speaker cables when the amp is on, or ever touch the speaker cables together (accidentally) even at low volume, or trouble could result. Mine was blown up this way once.

The 911 is a more robust amplifier in this regard. Dieter Burmester told me that the 911 is "virtually impossible to damage."

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Having lived with the P350 for almost five years before switching to the Burmester 911 mk.3, the Burmester definitely has a level of refinement that the 350 does not have (though the 350 is still excellent in this regard) you really have to go to a pair of 911's to get more dynamic punch than a single 350.

For the money, and especially now what you can pick up a used 350 for, it really is tough to beat unless you have five figures to spend. And even then, the synergy of a P350 with an ACT 2, ART 3 or the GAT is amazing.

Perhaps the only achilles heel with the 350 is that for a SS amp it is very sensitive to loading: i.e. don't ever disconnect the speaker cables when the amp is on, or ever touch the speaker cables together (accidentally) even at low volume, or trouble could result. Mine was blown up this way once.

The 911 is a more robust amplifier in this regard. Dieter Burmester told me that the 911 is "virtually impossible to damage."

And don't do any of this until the amp is off for some time. Those big caps in the power supply are loaded for a while even after the amp is off.

[Tonepub]

I always found it a good idea with the 350, to let the music play after it was turned off to help bleed those caps. You do it wrong once and then you learn!

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by tonepub

I always found it a good idea with the 350, to let the music play after it was turned off to help bleed those caps. You do it wrong once and then you learn!

way off topic, but these comments about the 350 remind me of back in the day when I was working on an old KSA-150 that was damaged in shipping.
There was virtually NO bleeding of the big Sprague Caps in the thing. Days after pulling the plug, a careless sole could have been knocked on their behind (or far worse ) without care.

sorry for the interruption!

[jdandy]

Rayooo.......I don't think I'd want to bridge one of those big caps, let alone a bank of them.

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Rayooo.......I don't think I'd want to bridge one of those big caps, let alone a bank of them.

I just use a big screwdriver...

[lotus340r]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Having lived with the P350 for almost five years before switching to the Burmester 911 mk.3, the Burmester definitely has a level of refinement that the 350 does not have (though the 350 is still excellent in this regard) you really have to go to a pair of 911's to get more dynamic punch than a single 350.

For the money, and especially now what you can pick up a used 350 for, it really is tough to beat unless you have five figures to spend. And even then, the synergy of a P350 with an ACT 2, ART 3 or the GAT is amazing.

Perhaps the only achilles heel with the 350 is that for a SS amp it is very sensitive to loading: i.e. don't ever disconnect the speaker cables when the amp is on, or ever touch the speaker cables together (accidentally) even at low volume, or trouble could result. Mine was blown up this way once.

The 911 is a more robust amplifier in this regard. Dieter Burmester told me that the 911 is "virtually impossible to damage."

Interesting input Jeff. Sorry to sidetrack. I use a GAT/350 driving avalons. I am more than satisfied with the amplification but could you comment on what would happen if I changed to GAT/LP275 ? I have not heard the LP275 but the idea of even more dimensionality and liquidity tempts me.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by tonepub

I always found it a good idea with the 350, to let the music play after it was turned off to help bleed those caps. You do it wrong once and then you learn!

I'm extremely careful when I unplug the speaker cables from this amp; one of the guys at Spearit Sound advised me about the risks.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Having lived with the P350 for almost five years before switching to the Burmester 911 mk.3, the Burmester definitely has a level of refinement that the 350 does not have (though the 350 is still excellent in this regard) you really have to go to a pair of 911's to get more dynamic punch than a single 350.

For the money, and especially now what you can pick up a used 350 for, it really is tough to beat unless you have five figures to spend. And even then, the synergy of a P350 with an ACT 2, ART 3 or the GAT is amazing.

Perhaps the only achilles heel with the 350 is that for a SS amp it is very sensitive to loading: i.e. don't ever disconnect the speaker cables when the amp is on, or ever touch the speaker cables together (accidentally) even at low volume, or trouble could result. Mine was blown up this way once.

The 911 is a more robust amplifier in this regard. Dieter Burmester told me that the 911 is "virtually impossible to damage."

Yes, I think the Premier 350 is pretty remarkable, and has some Burmester 911 MkIII-like qualities. And it certainly has cojones!

Even paired with a CT-5, which is quite similar to an ACT2, I think it's sensational.

I just hope I can keep it!

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by lotus340r

Interesting input Jeff. Sorry to sidetrack. I use a GAT/350 driving avalons. I am more than satisfied with the amplification but could you comment on what would happen if I changed to GAT/LP275 ? I have not heard the LP275 but the idea of even more dimensionality and liquidity tempts me.

Hopefully Myles Astor will read your query and answer. As I use both, the LP140 monos have that amazing 3D openness that only tubes seem to offer, but a bit less low, low end punch. Mid bass may be a little better with the tubes. The 350 seems a little quicker on the transients. Each is great in it's own way... If I had to choose only one, it would be the LP140s. The ART monos or 275s power will be noticeable and this total bandwidth even greater.

Buy them, use both and decide.

Bob