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C-J Gear With Cary Gear
Hi guys!
I've been enjoying all the posts and information on this forum. It's really great. I own a Cary Rocket 88 F1 that I like very much. I used to use a McIntosh C220 preamp with it but sold the preamp when we packed up to move east. The amp is still in storage, but to pass the time I've been looking around for a new preamp to pair with it. At first I thought I would just get a Cary SLP98 to go with it, but now based on some of the reviews and comments I've read, I'm considering a C-J preamp. Funny that when I read the review of the C220 in Stereophile and they said they liked the C-J Classic better, I kind of blew it off. But now here I am! FYI, the best thing I ever owned was a McIntosh MC225 and a MX110. Man that was magic! But I got tired of maintaining older equipment and sold them. Ever since, I've never been able to recreate that magic "romantic" sound. But it did teach me that I'm partial to tubes. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. Does anybody have experience mixing C-J and Cary? Good cocktail? Last edited by audiomaniac; 04-15-2012 at 05:58 PM. |
#2
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There are some well seasoned well heeled CJ aficionados here so I am betting one of them has mixed and matched CJ with Cary. Input impedance of the amp is something to look for. I mix and match VAC and CJ preamp and amp and it is wonderful. Output impedance of preamp lines up perfectly with input impedance of amp.
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#3
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From a purely technical point of view, with all of the current line of CJ preamps having the FET output driver setup and thus low output impedance, they should all be able to drive just about anything one can throw at them.
I did do evaluating with the ET5 driving Cary SA500.1s, no problem whatsoever. So it's just an "easy" determination of the sound synergy between the CJ and R88 |
#4
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Here's what I found in the owner's manual regarding specs: Specifications: Rocket 88 R Stereo Power Amplifier DIMENSIONS: 10”W x 18”D x 6”H (25.4 cm x 45.7 cm x 15.2 cm) WEIGHT: 45 Lb.. (20.4 kg) CIRCUIT TYPE: Push-Pull Triode Class A, Ultra-linear Class A/B POWER OUTPUT: 30 Watts Triode, 60 Watts Ultra-linear INPUT SENSITIVITY: 1.2 volt for full output INPUT IMPEDANCE: 150,000 ohms NOISE AND HUM: -87 dB below rated output FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10 Hz to 82,000 Hz + 0, -3.0 dB @ 1 watt TUBES: 2-12BZ7 Dual Triode, Phase inverter, gain stage (12AX7, 12AY7) 2-EL-84 Current source (or 6BQ5) 4-KT-88 Output tubes (or EL-34, 6550, KT-66, KT-77, KT-90) 2-1629 Green ‘Cat Eye’ indicator tubes TRANSFORMERS: 1-EI laminated core power transformer 2-Special interleaved output transformer 3-Filter Chokes 200% duty cycle on all transformers RESISTORS: 1.0 % metal film CAPACITORS: Polystyrene and polypropylene (oil filled optional) POWER SUPPLY CAPACITORS: 2-560 μFD @ 450 VDC 3-10 μFD Film and foil @ 600 VDC 1-47 μFD @ 450 VDC AC CORD: Detachable 3 conductor 14 gauge AC POWER REQUIREMENTS: 117 volts or 240 volts AC 50/60 Hz 300 watts operate WARM-UP TIME: 3 minutes BREAK-IN PERIOD: 100 hours of music playing time FINISH: Black Epoxy powder coat, Anodized Aluminum face plate I have the F1 version from Upscale Audio which if memory serves has upgraded caps, speakers connections and RCA jacks. Last edited by audiomaniac; 04-15-2012 at 05:59 PM. |
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#6
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INPUT IMPEDANCE: 150,000 ohms
with that kind of input impedance, even the older gen CJ's would have no problem. |
#7
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Audiomaniac,
With an input impedance of 150 K Ohms, any C-J pramp will be to drive your Cary amp just fine. C-J is famous for it's preamps, so whatever you end up with will be very nice to listen to and live with. Possibilities are: C-J PV15, Premier 14, Premier 17LS or LS2, Premier 16 LS or LS2, ET3, ET3SE, CT-5, CT-6, ET-2, ET-5, ACT, ACT2, ACT2 Series2....lots to choose from. All depends on your budget. If you want to start out in the line, and have a $2500 budget, the ET3 is an excellent choice. You can also upgdrage it to SE status later if you want.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
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#9
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Thanks for the replies. It's good to know that there shouldn't be any problems using a CJ preamp with my amp.
Last edited by audiomaniac; 04-15-2012 at 05:59 PM. |
#10
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Last edited by audiomaniac; 04-15-2012 at 06:00 PM. |
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