C-J Gear With Cary Gear

[audiomaniac]

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?

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.

[Rayooo]

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

[audiomaniac]

Originally Posted by dpod4

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.

I should add that there were 2 versions of the Rocket 88. I have the newer model that is designated as the Rocket 88R.

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.

Originally Posted by audiomaniac

I should add that there were 2 versions of the Rocket 88. I have the newer model that is designated as the Rocket 88R.

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.

I believe most of the CJ preamp output impedancea are 100k so that should excellent with the Cary specs. Is there any way to audition a CJ preamp in your system? I am buying a GAT without auditioning it but know I love CJ sound so no questions here. I think I saw a ET3 for sale on audiogon. Spearit Sound has some deals too with warranty.

[Rayooo]

INPUT IMPEDANCE: 150,000 ohms

with that kind of input impedance, even the older gen CJ's would have no problem.

[Puma Cat]

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.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by dpod4

I believe most of the CJ preamp output impedancea are 100k so that should excellent with the Cary specs. Is there any way to audition a CJ preamp in your system? I am buying a GAT without auditioning it but know I love CJ sound so no questions here. I think I saw a ET3 for sale on audiogon. Spearit Sound has some deals too with warranty.

Think you mean their output impedances are 100 ohms not 100kohms.

[audiomaniac]

Thanks for the replies. It's good to know that there shouldn't be any problems using a CJ preamp with my amp.

[audiomaniac]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

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.

Thanks Puma Cat. Yes, the ET3 is a good candidate. I'm only about 3 hours away from Spearit Sound, so I might need to take a trip down to see them. I'm up in Portland, Maine. But all my gear is still in storage while we look for a house, so there's no rush right now. Hopefully, that will change soon. In the meantime I can only live vicariously through you guys while I listen to my Sonos Play:5. Not bad, but it's gettin' OLD!