Conrad Johnson GAT ...

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I totally agree. I was not smart to give mine up because it was essentially new and in perfect shape. I still toy with the idea of replacing it because when they are gone, they are gone.

ronenash, have you compared the ET250S to a CA200 in similar systems? Seems like the next best thing. Thoughts? I'd like to hear the ET250S (especially with the GAT) and see how it compares.

I have heard the ET250s briefly and not in direct comparison to the CA200. I think the ET250 was warmer than the CA200 but to me it did not have the magic of the CA200. I did have a chance to hear the CA200 with the Premier 350 and they are very close. The Premier 350 is obviously more powerful and more dynamic but tonality, soundstaging, superb presence are all very similar. I my rather small listening room the CA200 was wonderful.
Compared to the LP125SE which I now own it was less holographic but more powerfull but on the plus side it does not consume 1000w from the power line just being turned on and it goes easier on the airconditioning in the hot Israeli summers.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by ronenash

I have heard the ET250s briefly and not in direct comparison to the CA200. I think the ET250 was warmer than the CA200 but to me it did not have the magic of the CA200. I did have a chance to hear the CA200 with the Premier 350 and they are very close. The Premier 350 is obviously more powerful and more dynamic but tonality, soundstaging, superb presence are all very similar. I my rather small listening room the CA200 was wonderful.
Compared to the LP125SE which I now own it was less holographic but more powerfull but on the plus side it does not consume 1000w from the power line just being turned on and it goes easier on the airconditioning in the hot Israeli summers.

Thank you! That description is how I expect the amps to play in a system.

I always wanted to try my CA200 with either the ET5 or the GAT, but sold it too quickly to hear the CA200 with a great tube preamp. If the opportunity ever comes around again

I wish CJ would make a nice reissue of the 350 and/or CA200.

[Joe Appierto]

Congratulations, Joe, and best of luck with the new GAT! Sounds like Christmas is coming on May 24th for you this year.

[Ritmo]

Congratulations Joe! That is going to be a sweeeeet combo.

Mike

[cmalak]

Joe...congrats on the GAT On the subject of break in, you can always run a signal through it connected to the Dartzeel or the 250 continuous 24/7 for 2 weeks and that will burn up 336 hrs and get you closer to that 600 hr break-in time and then play it whenever you listen for the remaining 400 hrs. My take from Stephen's description is that the bulk of the change in the tonal character and openness of the amp was achieved around the 600 hr mark and then there were smaller refinements all the way up to 1000 hrs. I may be wrong there. But wither way, you can speed up the break-in by running it continuous for 2 or 4 weeks. I would not be as worried about running it continuously vs. a power amp, given that the small signal tubes are not going to arc on you and potentially cause an issue like the big power tubes. Enjoy it

[jwhite613]

Joe... Congratulations!!! Hope you take lots of pictures!

[chessman]

Joe, another big congrats! Although to be honest, you have had so many items of great gear that I have kind of lost sight of what you currently have running.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Joe...congrats on the GAT Enjoy it

Cyril,

Thank you. I'm sure I'll be streaming and listening and playing disc jockey.

Originally Posted by jwhite613

Joe... Congratulations!!! Hope you take lots of pictures!

Thanks Jeff,

I could not pass this up, it was higher on the list.

Originally Posted by chessman

Joe, another big congrats! Although to be honest, you have had so many items of great gear that I have kind of lost sight of what you currently have running.

Thanks Randy,

Right now the CR-1's are playing with the Dart 108 and the 077. I really want to hear the GAT and the Dart first. The rest in due time.

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by joeinid

As much as I wanted Ivan's 28BSST2's (sorry Ivan, maybe soon), I could not pull the trigger on them because I have a sweet little GAT coming Thursday. Ever since I tasted the ET5 and realized I was able to get a Premier 350, I knew it would not be long for the GAT to make its way into my room.I can not wait to play it with the Dartzeel and Premier 350.

Hi Joe...

Let me be the one dissenter and suggest the break-in time for your GAT will be much less painful than you've heard. First, mine sounded great right out of the box. No doubt things improved with time but it didn't take six months. Philippe has not talked about incredibly long breaking nor has Myles Astor. With the hours already on the unit, you may find you're nearly there. Our friends at c-j quote much shorter break-in times, hopefully not just for marketing reasons. And, they run them for a not insignificant amount of time at the factory before they go out to the customer. As Stephen said, the GAT is reported by many top reviewers to be one of the top preamplifiers available today. I know you will love it right out of the box... enjoy.

Bob

[Toobs]

Originally Posted by joeinid

As much as I wanted Ivan's 28BSST2's (sorry Ivan, maybe soon), I could not pull the trigger on them because I have a sweet little GAT coming Thursday. Ever since I tasted the ET5 and realized I was able to get a Premier 350, I knew it would not be long for the GAT to make its way into my room.I can not wait to play it with the Dartzeel and Premier 350.

Big congrats Joe I can only imagine what the Premier 350 and the GAT will sound like with the TAD CR1's. Hope to see lots of pics