Any Conrad-Johnson owner here?

[RoadDawgWest]

I use a McCormack DNA-1. My first high end amplifier purchase. I paired the CJ gear with the McCormack amp before CJ purchased the McCormack line. I thought the CJ preamp with the McCormack amp had a musical synergy.

[Puma Cat]

Nice. I've heard great things about McCormack amps. I can very easily imagine those two would have a really nice synergy.

[RoadDawgWest]

Other equipment has come and gone, but I can't bring myself to part with the DNA-1 and the CJ pre and phono. I know there are newer designs that should perform better, but I can't bring myself to part with those pieces.

[Puma Cat]

I totally get that...the CT-5 and Premier 17LS are still dukin' it out at my place. When you hit on that special combination of components that come together to give you that magical synergy, it can be tough to beat, even with newer stuff.

I have a vintage Harman-Kardon Citation 12 amp from the 70s that I plug in some times just for sh*ts and giggles.

Funny thing is, it sounds d*mn good when driven with a first class preamp like the Premier 17.

[ronenash]

I am a big CJ fan. In the past I owned the PV10 preamp, CT6 preamp, Premier 12 monoblocks, and briefly had the Act2 in my home. I currently use a renewed Mofit MS 2001 power amp which I will write about in a thread of its own and am waiting to get my ET3SE preamp.
In 9 out of 10 times I compared CJ gear to other offerings the CJ came out as more enjoyable. I am suprised they are getting so little trafic on AA.

[Puma Cat]

Heard the "basic" ET3 with a McCormack amp was quite impressed. I'm sure the ET3SE will be very nice. You probably know that you'll need 500 hrs or so of burn-in on them because of the Teflon caps before it will come into it's own.

[ronenash]

Yes, I know the drill with Teflons but in most cases its worth the patience.

[Coppy]

Couldn't resist this topic. I've had C-J equipment for years... mostly tubes but also most of their solid state gear. My first post so here goes:

GAT preamp, TEA1bc phono, LP140 Monoblocks and a Premier 350 backup amp. Just today I spent some time with their new ART monoblocks driven by a Premier 17 upgraded with new teflon caps being broken in. Unbelievable... the very definition of sounding right. I think I'm about to upgrade my Wilson WP7s to Sashas so a new pair of ARTs will have to wait. What a great company, top quality products designed by real music lovers and carefully hand assembled and tested. Lot's of factory upgrades available to current owners who want the superb Teflon caps installed.

[joeinid]

Welcome to AA Coppy!

Sounds like a great system.

Joe

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Coppy

Couldn't resist this topic. I've had C-J equipment for years... mostly tubes but also most of their solid state gear. My first post so here goes:

GAT preamp, TEA1bc phono, LP140 Monoblocks and a Premier 350 backup amp. Just today I spent some time with their new ART monoblocks driven by a Premier 17 upgraded with new teflon caps being broken in. Unbelievable... the very definition of sounding right. I think I'm about to upgrade my Wilson WP7s to Sashas so a new pair of ARTs will have to wait. What a great company, top quality products designed by real music lovers and carefully hand assembled and tested. Lot's of factory upgrades available to current owners who want the superb Teflon caps installed.

Wow. Nice system. That phono stage must be fantastic.

How was the Premier 17 with the Teflon caps? Interesting that it was being used with the ART monoblocks, as it's not one of their current preamps; bet it sounded good, though.

My newly acquired CT-5 has been duking it out with my Premier 17 Series 1 and they both do wonderful, albeit different, things.