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    A small upgrade in amplification

    Hi RJ. Thanks so much for the helpful response. I have the 05xs on order. I auditioned the 07xs, but since the 05xs is only a $1000 more in the US ($8500), I figured I'd go for it -- I'm not even sure what the difference is -- maybe a slightly better clock? I figured it can't be worse! I...
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    A small upgrade in amplification

    That's a very interesting analogy to the camera. Last night, I was listening to my CJ & Harbeth based rig, and after about 20 min, when the preamp tubes and Teflon caps hit stride, I had a similar thought: it was like when you are downloading an image or a movie, and it goes from almost there...
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    A small upgrade in amplification

    I think we must have similar taste, what with CJ, and now Esoteric digital! What model Esoteric are you playing (sorry if you explained in another thread, but I can't find it.) I;m thinking of one the one box Esoteric SA-05 I think it was ---- was blown away by the sound. Would like to know...
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    The MF2550 - not just an ordinary amplifier

    RJ, Happy Holidays to you as well! If you haven't been using the the MF-2550SE since you got the monoblocks, the Teflon caps probably need to be broken in again. I found that with my Classic SE preamp after it went unused for 5 months.
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    The MF2550 - not just an ordinary amplifier

    Despite the confusing numerical name, the MF2550 has little or nothing to do design-wise with the various MF2500 predecessors. The latter are MOSFET based, and while lovely, run a a bit "dark" in sound. I own and MF80 and a MF2550, and the latter has a sound closer to that of the sparkle of...
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    Conrad Johnson GAT ...

    The gain issue has come up several times before on various fora, and IIRC, it's easy to deal with, I believe without a mod of the GAT per se.. A resistor or the like is inserted aft of the output from the preamp. If no one answers here, check some of the other CJ owners fora. The answer is out...
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    A small upgrade in amplification

    Not about 6922s, but FWIW, I got a couple of M8080s direct from CJ that went bad prematurely (about 2 months, I think), and they were glad to replace them, even though we both agreed it wasn't their fault. On the subject, what would you think about replacing each 6922 with a pair of M8080...
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    A small upgrade in amplification

    Agree with you on the Mullard M8080s. Nothing quite like them.
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    A small upgrade in amplification

    Beautiful system (and cute cat). Are those the Classic 60se amps in your profile, or are they new LP125s? Also, how do you like you Mac CD player?
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    Those rare NOS Mullards

    Glad you're enjoying your PV-15. I love my Classic One SE Preamp, which uses two Mullard 8080s. I had an ET-5 for a while, but found I preferred the Classic SE, just a bit more "golden" CJ sound than the ET5, which is a seriously fine amp and I would say "better" overall than my little Classic...
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    Those rare NOS Mullards

    I bought 4 NOS M8080 Mullards from CJ, same as yours in white box with paper. I paid about US$50 per/tube. Unfortunately, 3 of the 4 developed a rustling sound within a month. CJ refunded my money, no problem. I then bought 10 from a UK company on eBay for US11 each. They were identical to the...
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    interconnect between CJ help!!

    I use a Kimber Silver Streak between my CJ Classic preamp (similar to the PV12) and CJ power amp. The PV 12 is a little dark, and a silver cable cable works well.
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    Thanks for your very thoughtful comments, which I need to process. As I live right near the cj headquarters, I happened to drop by there today to get some tubes for my Classic SE. They directed me to several local shops that can provide an audition along the lines you recommend. I will report...
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    You mention bass....it wouldn't surprise me if CJ's preamps have a slight bass boost "built in" so to speak. (My old PV-7 sure did.) It's amazing to me how even a subtle bass boost (or lack thereof) can affect the perception of the overall sound. I imagine a passive setup would have little or no...
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    Advice? Congratulations on your great setup.:cool: Question: I was thinking of buying a Classic 60 to drive my Harbeth 30.0s. Since I have the Classic SE (line stage only) already, and really like it, I think it might make more sense to keep it rather than spring for the CAV45, but I'd be...
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    Thanks -- I think I get it. Another question though -- doesn't the passive pre-amp just cut down the gain -- in other words, I thought it actually did not "amplify" whatever goes into it.
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    Sorry, I'm confused. I don't get the dealers's comment about the ET3 -- I thought the ET3 is basically a Classic with a remote volume control (slight;y better, but not much better). Also, can one expect a passive control amp work with a turntable/carrtridge? The audio quality is questionable...
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    CJ presents another control amplifier classic- CAV45

    I wonder if they will ever offer an se version? Is there room for Teflon caps? (I believe they are larger than standard CJ caps?)
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    conrad-johnson Factoid

    I'd say Mac is riding pretty high these days. CJ is still as respected as it was in the early days, for largely the same reasons. But it's a much more crowded field today.
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    ET3se

    I have the CJ 2550 power amp. Not sure what the gain is on it.
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    ET3se

    Thanks for all the explanations gents. Another question, possibly related, I hope, to the subject of this thread, which I've always wondered about with my CJ gear. I've had 3 CJ preamps over the years, my current one being the wonderful Classic SE. About the only thing I haven't "loved" about...
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    ET3se

    Wouldn't the S/N end up the same though? CJ gear generally has the volume control very low at normal listening levels, due to the high gain. So the source signal sent to the power amp is elevated also - a wash, in other words, at normal listening levels.
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    ET3se

    Question Curious....how is it that a single tube configuration, which presumably is shared by both channels, would create more hiss on one channel (typically the left) than the other when it goes bad? I'm not challenging what you say, I simply don't understand how these single tube setups work.
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    ET3se

    Can't speak specifically to the ET3 SE, but the ET-3 regular had a normal, slight tube rush, as does my CJ Classic SE. Can't really hear it more than a few feet away. But, just a question -- is there a separate tube for each channel in the ET-3? If so, a bad tube would hiss in one channel only...
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    ET3se

    Thanks for help. I am enjoying the Classic SE! It's a great preamp. BTW, the reason on the remote volume control, is that the knob on the classic is hair-trigger sensitive, making it hard to get the volume where I want it without getting up 5 times.. You move it slightest bit and the volume...
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    ET3se

    Hmmmm...I have the Classic-se now, but was thinking of trading up to the ET3se, mostly for the remote function, but I also was hoping for a significant improvement in sound for the extra money. Can you expand a bit on why you prefer the Classic-se to the ET3se, which I have not heard? Many thanks!
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    Conrad Johnson Premier 350 ... an Amazing amplifier ...

    Sounds like an MBL issue, not a CJ 350 issue.
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    NEW !!!! conrad johnson MF-2550SE Solid State Stereo Power Amplifier

    The gain on the MF2550 is the same as on my CJ MF80 -- ie., normal. I never thought of the PR350 as being noisy (if you mean hum etc). I don't hear anything out of the speakers when just the power amp is on. When the tube preamp is on but no music is playing, I do pick up a little more tube rush...
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    NEW !!!! conrad johnson MF-2550SE Solid State Stereo Power Amplifier

    Review of Conrad Johnson MF2550 I just bought the Conrad Johnson MF2550 (non- Teflon) and have now been listening to it for about 3 days -- I'll get to the point quickly -- it's the best power amp I've heard under $10K. As a long time CJ owner, I can attest that it has the CJ sound in every...
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    ET5: How Good? Sound?

    Why would that be. The reason I ask is that have a CJ ClassicSE, which has a tube/FET design. I was not aware that created issues with Naim amps.

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