ET5 coming in to replace ET3SE

[joe_marsh]

Thanks ronenash, will do. Obviously, the ACT is well regarded. I was a little worried by the odd tube honestly....

[Bill Stevenson]

I have an ET5 and it is very neutral with no grain at all, and appeals to me greatly. It has been a while since I have heard an ACT2, but if memory serves it has more pizzaz, which may or may not appeal to everyone. I prefer the ET5 overall, especially after some tube rolling (Phillipps NOS), but can understand why others might not.

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by joe_marsh

Thanks ronenash, will do. Obviously, the ACT is well regarded. I was a little worried by the odd tube honestly....

Nothing to worry about except the fact that it is not a good candidate for tube rolling.

[Joe Appierto]

Originally Posted by ronenash

Nothing to worry about except the fact that it is not a good candidate for tube rolling.

I've never heard, much less been lucky enough to own one, but why do you say that?

Never mind. Just went to the c-j website and saw that it uses 6H30 tubes. Enough said but I do have to say that I'm happy to finally see some activity on the c-j portion of AA. Definitely was in withdrawal.

[joe_marsh]

Originally Posted by Bill Stevenson

I have an ET5 and it is very neutral with no grain at all, and appeals to me greatly. It has been a while since I have heard an ACT2, but if memory serves it has more pizzaz, which may or may not appeal to everyone. I prefer the ET5 overall, especially after some tube rolling (Phillipps NOS), but can understand why others might not.

Bill, the Tone Audio review, I believe, discussed using a CCa tube in the ET5. What's been your experience tube rolling?

[Bill Stevenson]

A CCa tube got noisy real quick. I also tried a Telefunken and had the same experience. CJ has the Phillipps tubes in stock that are very sweet. I think I paid less than a hundred bucks for it, which while not cheap, is not bad considering the sound. It has several hundred hours on it now and is holding up fine. CJ prices for tubes are high, but they seem to have the goods that work and are reliable too. You get what you pay for I guess. A friend bought KT120s for his amp elsewhere recently and had one tube go noisy on him very soon. Vendor laughed at him when he complained.

[medward0]

I've had an ET3se for about 4 years now and just purchased an ET5 and it should arrive this week sometime.

I've been happy with the ET3se, but I'm looking forward to the step up.

The ET5 is a new unit, so I'll let you know my impressions after the required 500 hours of CJ cap burn in.

[jmw31]

You will not be disappointed. Still loving mine.

[medward0]

So, I've had the ET5 all of 24 hours and I'm already smitten. I was going to wait until I had the caps broken in, but...

While I'm aware of the "I have to like it 'cuz I bought it phenomenon," I have to say that even unbroken in, this preamp is a step above the ET3SE in imaging, bass texture and tone, soundstage, midrange detail, treble extension with less harshness, midrange/vocal "emotion"... etc. etc.

I can't imagine what it will sound like when it's broken in.

[joe_marsh]

Originally Posted by medwardo

So, I've had the ET5 all of 24 hours and I'm already smitten. I was going to wait until I had the caps broken in, but...

While I'm aware of the "I have to like it 'cuz I bought it phenomenon," I have to say that even unbroken in, this preamp is a step above the ET3SE in imaging, bass texture and tone, soundstage, midrange detail, treble extension with less harshness, midrange/vocal "emotion"... etc. etc.

I can't imagine what it will sound like when it's broken in.

Medwardo - interested to see how things have gone with the ET5. Interestingly, my PV14 broke and CJ has offered me my choice of preamp at a great price. I'm deliberating between the ET3se and the ET5....