GATs and ARTs

[Bugs762]

Looks like there is a feast of GATs and ARTs for sale right now. They've probably reached that age where they are being replaced by upgraded equipment, but still too costly for what the market will bear. I have a hard time keeping the different models straight. Anyone know the chronology of their development?

Bugs

[ronenash]

First ART came out in the mid 90's. There were two later versions. The latest, the series 3 used Teflon caps. The ACT2 was the next CJ flagship followed by the GAT. The ACT2 also had a Series 2 version that included some improvements to the power supply.
The ART had more traditional tube CJ sound whereas the ACT2 and GAT have a more modern CJ sound, very transparent, detailed and extended at the frequency extremes.

[turntable]

Wow, those GAT's are a bargin.

IMO, nothing will touch them at this prices.

[Bugs762]

I can't believe it. An ACT2 just came up on Agon for $4K. I just bought a Premier 17 LS2 for $3K and thought I got a pretty good deal. Somebody is going to be happy.

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by Bugs762

I can't believe it. An ACT2 just came up on Agon for $4K. I just bought a Premier 17 LS2 for $3K and thought I got a pretty good deal. Somebody is going to be happy.

That's a killer deal. IMO the ACT2 still has an edge over the GAT in dynamics and does not fall far behind anywhere else. Its will outperform most other preamps out there. Hard to imagine there prices dropped to this level.

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by ronenash

That's a killer deal. IMO the ACT2 still has an edge over the GAT in dynamics and does not fall far behind anywhere else. Its will outperform most other preamps out there. Hard to imagine there prices dropped to this level.

Having owned a P16 and both versions of the ACT2 and now a GAT... I'll respectfully disagree with Ron. Didn't hear much difference after the series 2 upgrade to the ACT2 but it ran much cooler. The GAT has been magnificent in all aspects.

Bob

[sanji]

Originally Posted by Coppy

Having owned a P16 and both versions of the ACT2 and now a GAT... I'll respectfully disagree with Ron. Didn't hear much difference after the series 2 upgrade to the ACT2 but it ran much cooler. The GAT has been magnificent in all aspects. Bob

Hi Bob.

How would you characterize the difference between the P16S2 & the ACT?

[Coppy]

Originally Posted by sanji

Hi Bob.

How would you characterize the difference between the P16S2 & the ACT?

I think Ron characterized the difference well in his comments. The P16 was the older, richer c-j sound while the ACT2 was the first of the new era of preamps with broader and more balanced reproduce across the board, highs and lows. Also, better dynamics. Get the one with the series 2 upgrade, the first edition ran very warm... can't imagine that won't have some effect on the longevity of the unit.

Bob

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by Coppy

Having owned a P16 and both versions of the ACT2 and now a GAT... I'll respectfully disagree with Ron. Didn't hear much difference after the series 2 upgrade to the ACT2 but it ran much cooler. The GAT has been magnificent in all aspects.

Bob

The ACT2 Series 1 definitely runs very hot but I never had reliability problems with it. In very hot days I prefer to use my highly modified Teflon cap Premier 14 which runs much much cooler than the ACT2.