ET5 vs. ACT2.1 opinions?

[ronenash]

Hi Folks,

I have a chance to replace my ACT2.1 preamp with an ET5. Anyone had the opportunity to compare the two? I love the ACT2 and have enjoyed it very much over the past 6 month. I am not if the ET5 is really an upgrade. It has the advantage of just one common tube and the ability to do tube rolling with many excellent options NOS and NEW.

Opinion?

[ronenash]

Anyone?

[Briz Vegaas]

Well you won't want my opinion. :-)

The Stereophile review says my amp and yours are very similar, and you preferred the ET to the CT.

I am happy with my CT5. I've pimped my MacBook with SSD and and a Paul Hynes is on order to pimp it further. It's already much better sounding.

Conrad Johnson aren't answering my email about amps otherwise I could better discuss the relevance of the different output impedances (500 and 100 in your case, 800 in mine) and the CA200.

[Bugs762]

Originally Posted by ronenash

Anyone?

I'd like to be able to afford to have an opinion on these two models but I can't. I'll bet they are both spectacular.

[ronenash]

I heard both in the past but cannot tell one from the other based on distant memory. Thought someone might have done a direct comparison of the two. I hope I will get a chance to do a comparison in the near future.

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by Briz Vegaas

Well you won't want my opinion. :-)

The Stereophile review says my amp and yours are very similar, and you preferred the ET to the CT.

I am happy with my CT5. I've pimped my MacBook with SSD and and a Paul Hynes is on order to pimp it further. It's already much better sounding.

Conrad Johnson aren't answering my email about amps otherwise I could better discuss the relevance of the different output impedances (500 and 100 in your case, 800 in mine) and the CA200.

When it comes to output impedance... less is always more.

[Briz Vegaas]

Yes, In theory, that's why I borrowed the ET5. Could be 10 reasons why it didn't get me in. Fact is end of the day I'm enjoying the CT5. Right now it just sounds like music to me.

[Puma Cat]

Your CT-5 is probably broken in and the ET-5 may not be broken in....

[rthomeint]

At CES I asked Lew Johnson about the ET-5 Vs CT-5 and he if you can go for the ET-5. For what it's worth. He also said do the C1 upgrade on my Premier 11 vs buying anything other than a buying a LP125sa or an ART.

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by rthomeint

At CES I asked Lew Johnson about the ET-5 Vs CT-5 and he if I can go for the ET-5. For what it's worth. He also said do the C1 upgrade on my Premier 11 vs buying anything other than a buying a LP125sa or an ART.

I assume your reporting Lew prefers the ET-5 to the CT-5. Often he adds some information as to how much difference there is between the two. Do you remember any additional comment? It's been my experience with c-j over many years that they only introduce new product when the item is a true improvement over the previous model. I think that's what he was effectively saying to you.

Ron... this reminds me; the answer to you question is right here. Call or e-mail Lew for his opinion. He certainly knows the products better than anyone and will give you his view and the reasoning behind it.

Bob