Et3se

[jaxwired]

Stereophile Class A rating for this preamp. Impressive for a $4K preamp.

[Rafale]

the current c-j preamplifier range is awesome

[Puma Cat]

Not at all surprising; I don't think C-J is capable of making anything but a truly excellent preamp these days.
.
The "base" model ET3 is a helluva good-sounding preamp, too.

The other nice thing about the ET3 series is you can get them with a truly superb phono stage as well. An ET3SE with a phono stage for $5500 is a screamin' deal when you consider you're getting the equivalent of a $2500 phono stage along with a Class A preamp.

I would agree with Philippe's comments, but add to that that the entire range of CJ preamps from the ART onwards have been awesome. The Premier series based on the ART design, the Pr16/17s, both Series 1 and 2, were superb and garnered Class A ratings when they debuted, and are still fantastic preamps to this day. The Pr17 was a "baby" ART, and the Premier 16 was an ART, except in a stereo rather than dual-mono chassis.
They still command very respectable prices and are much in demand. The average time a Pr17 lasts when it goes on sale at Audigon is about 1 day.
I believe Turntable had a Premier 16 LS Series 2 and said it was a fantastic preamp, and from having lived with my Pr17 now for over a year, I would believe him.

Basically, anything from the first series of pres with remotes (the PV14) have been really impressive. My local C-J dealer was also really impressed with the PV15, and said they sold a LOT of them, especially the ones with the built-in phono stage. The fact that you can have C-J add Teflon caps to everything from the PV12 preamp onwards means you can keep your C-J pre sounding and performing with amongst the best preamps currently available today (probably better than many, in fact).

[jaxwired]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

The fact that you can have C-J add Teflon caps to everything from the PV12 preamp onwards means you can keep your C-J pre sounding and performing with amongst the best preamps currently available today (probably better than many, in fact).

I can have CJ add the teflon caps to my PV14ls2 for $800. Should I go that direction or trade up to an ET3se?

[Rafale]

ET3SE ......Jax.... it plays in another league

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Not at all surprising; I don't think C-J is capable of making anything but a truly excellent preamp these days.
.
The "base" model ET3 is a helluva good-sounding preamp, too.

The other nice thing about the ET3 series is you can get them with a truly superb phono stage as well. An ET3SE with a phono stage for $5500 is a screamin' deal when you consider you're getting the equivalent of a $2500 phono stage along with a Class A preamp.

I would agree with Philippe's comments, but add to that that the entire range of CJ preamps from the ART onwards have been awesome. The Premier series based on the ART design, the Pr16/17s, both Series 1 and 2, were superb and garnered Class A ratings when they debuted, and are still fantastic preamps to this day. The Pr17 was a "baby" ART, and the Premier 16 was an ART, except in a stereo rather than dual-mono chassis.
They still command very respectable prices and are much in demand. The average time a Pr17 lasts when it goes on sale at Audigon is about 1 day.
I believe Turntable had a Premier 16 LS Series 2 and said it was a fantastic preamp, and from having lived with my Pr17 now for over a year, I would believe him.

Basically, anything from the first series of pres with remotes (the PV14) have been really impressive. My local C-J dealer was also really impressed with the PV15, and said they sold a LOT of them, especially the ones with the built-in phono stage. The fact that you can have C-J add Teflon caps to everything from the PV12 preamp onwards means you can keep your C-J pre sounding and performing with amongst the best preamps currently available today (probably better than many, in fact).

excellent post Stephen

[Rafale]

To reach this quality level with a limited number of tubes, and with easily accessible tubes is a truly awesome performance, thank you Mr Conrad, thank you Mr Johnson, hats off

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jaxwired

I can have CJ add the teflon caps to my PV14ls2 for $800. Should I go that direction or trade up to an ET3se?

So, I've thought about this, Jax, and there's a coupla of directions you can go. Here are some options for consideration.

Option 1) Upgrade the PV14 to Series 2, cost $600. Upgrade to Teflon caps: $800...total cost: $1400. Your total investment: approx $2800.

Option 2) Get an ET3SE; cost $4000.

Option 3) Cool your jets and live with your PV14 until a Premier 17LS Series 2 (aka LS2) comes along. A Pr17 LS2 is very likely to be better than an ET3SE as the Pr17 Series 1 is better preamp than a base ET3, and the only difference between the Series 2 Premier 17 and the SE version of the ET3 is installing Teflon caps. The nice thing is that Premier 17LS2s sell for about $2800-$3000, still quite a bit less than four grand for an ET3SE.

Option 4: Look for a used CT-5; they typically sell for a few hundred dollars (median used price: $4500) more than a new ET3SE and the CT-5 is in a completely different league than an ET3, SE or no.

If it were me, I'd choose option 3 cool, my jets, and wait for a Pr17 Series 2 to come along. In fact, that's what I'm planning on doing as soon as I get my CT-5 sold.

[jaxwired]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

So, I've thought about this, Jax, and there's a coupla of directions you can go. Here are some options for consideration.

Option 1) Upgrade the PV14 to Series 2, cost $600. Upgrade to Teflon caps: $800...total cost: $1400. Your total investment: approx $2800.

Option 2) Get an ET3SE; cost $4000.

Option 3) Cool your jets and live with your PV14 until a Premier 17LS Series 2 (aka LS2) comes along. A Pr17 LS2 is very likely to be better than an ET3SE as the Pr17 Series 1 is better preamp than a base ET3, and the only difference between the Series 2 Premier 17 and the SE version of the ET3 is installing Teflon caps. The nice thing is that Premier 17LS2s sell for about $2800-$3000, still quite a bit less than four grand for an ET3SE.

Option 4: Look for a used CT-5; they typically sell for a few hundred dollars (median used price: $4500) more than a new ET3SE and the CT-5 is in a completely different league than an ET3, SE or no.

If it were me, I'd choose option 3 cool, my jets, and wait for a Pr17 Series 2 to come along. In fact, that's what I'm planning on doing as soon as I get my CT-5 sold.

Ok, thanks for the advice. Appreciate it!

One note, regarding option 1, my PV14 is already a series 2 so I would only need to pay the $800 for the teflon caps.

Have to think on all this a bit. Not hard to "cool my jets" as I'm really happy with my system right now...

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jaxwired

Ok, thanks for the advice. Appreciate it!

One note, regarding option 1, my PV14 is already a series 2 so I would only need to pay the $800 for the teflon caps.

Have to think on all this a bit. Not hard to "cool my jets" as I'm really happy with my system right now...

Hi Jax,
Sorry, I forgot you had an LS2...in that case, the $800 upgrade would be the cheapest route, and I expect would get your PV14 S2 to very close to or as good as ET3SE levels of performance. That would be your biggest bang for the buck. The only downside is the Teflon cap burn-in times...but you already know about that.

If you're really happy right now, I'd call it a day and just relax and listen to music and wait for that special Pr17LS2 to come along...that's what I'm doing...