I thought this might be of interest to forum members.
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/news/conrad_johnson_ownership.htm
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/news/conrad_johnson_ownership.htm
New Ownership of Conrad-Johnson
- Thread starter Vhiner
- Start date
Thank you for posting...this sounds to me like a very good story for CJ owners and fans...excerpts from the article:
"After growing [CJ] into one of the most acclaimed brands in high-end audio, Conrad and Johnson have sold their company to longtime Senior Technician and current General Manager Jeff Fischel, who has been with the company since the late 1980s. The official transfer of ownership has been in the works for a while, and Fischel says that “Bill and Lew are still actively involved in marketing.”
During his tenure at Conrad-Johnson, Fischel was responsible for overseeing the development, engineering and production of some of the company’s highest-end products, including the Premier 7 dual-mono preamp and Premier 8 mono amplifier, various ART preamps and mono amps, as well as the GAT preamp and the TEA1 phono stage. He is quick to point out that he is obsessed with quality and has a “serious lust for vacuum-tube technology.”
"After growing [CJ] into one of the most acclaimed brands in high-end audio, Conrad and Johnson have sold their company to longtime Senior Technician and current General Manager Jeff Fischel, who has been with the company since the late 1980s. The official transfer of ownership has been in the works for a while, and Fischel says that “Bill and Lew are still actively involved in marketing.”
During his tenure at Conrad-Johnson, Fischel was responsible for overseeing the development, engineering and production of some of the company’s highest-end products, including the Premier 7 dual-mono preamp and Premier 8 mono amplifier, various ART preamps and mono amps, as well as the GAT preamp and the TEA1 phono stage. He is quick to point out that he is obsessed with quality and has a “serious lust for vacuum-tube technology.”
Very interesting!
As a UK owner of a GAT2 preamp and Premier 350SA power amp, I have had email correspondence with Jeff Fischer, who has been very helpful.
As a UK owner of a GAT2 preamp and Premier 350SA power amp, I have had email correspondence with Jeff Fischer, who has been very helpful.
Nice to know that conrad johnson is changing hands within the company and Jeff Fischel is taking the leadership. My usual contact was Lew Johnson - we met long ago and he persuaded me to buy my first Wilson Audio speakers - but more recently Jeff has been dealing with my requirements of parts and information. He has always been of great help, even when my questions were non trivial!
Thanks for sharing that info Vhiner,
It is certainly good to see that the reins are handed over to a person who not only knows about the brand and what it stands for but also someone who is passionate about CJ. This is very important in order to continue the great work and all the tedious hard work that was put in to it from the beginning, making CJ a true American icon in tube amplification. Similar products come to mind being bold and true to their high fidelity in sound- ARC, McIntosh, VTL, Manley Labs and so on...
However, there are a few (I have owned as well) who have passed along the reins to the wrong camp, ending up in utter disaster. Not only does quality suffer but also the brand in terms of what it previously stood for and what it was originally known for. Sadly these new companies / owners don't have any clue in what sound they're after. This also causes a chain reaction to dealerships as well.
It is actually quite superb to know that CJ is allowing a special person from Tech to hold fort and lead the way, this is the way it should be. After all it is technical knowledge that is at the heart of any high-end quality system. Not looks and size of the company...
Hats off to CJ and many more decades of superb sounding musical instruments.
Cheers to all CJ owners!
RJ
It is certainly good to see that the reins are handed over to a person who not only knows about the brand and what it stands for but also someone who is passionate about CJ. This is very important in order to continue the great work and all the tedious hard work that was put in to it from the beginning, making CJ a true American icon in tube amplification. Similar products come to mind being bold and true to their high fidelity in sound- ARC, McIntosh, VTL, Manley Labs and so on...
However, there are a few (I have owned as well) who have passed along the reins to the wrong camp, ending up in utter disaster. Not only does quality suffer but also the brand in terms of what it previously stood for and what it was originally known for. Sadly these new companies / owners don't have any clue in what sound they're after. This also causes a chain reaction to dealerships as well.
It is actually quite superb to know that CJ is allowing a special person from Tech to hold fort and lead the way, this is the way it should be. After all it is technical knowledge that is at the heart of any high-end quality system. Not looks and size of the company...
Hats off to CJ and many more decades of superb sounding musical instruments.
Cheers to all CJ owners!
RJ
Yes, I read that...it supposedly will use GAT-quality parts. Any word on delivery date in 2018 and cost?
Lloyd. Class A told you - $9500
Its available now I believe and on the cj web site.httphttp://conradjohnson.com/announcing-et7-line-stage-preamplifier/://Featuring audio circuit and regulated power supply derived from our flagship GAT Series 2.
Featuring Teflon capacitors and bulk metal foil resistors throughout the audio circuit and regulated power supply.
Hi Shane,
Actually, I was referring to the headphone amp that CJ announced would come out in 2018 with GAT-quality parts. Was wondering how much it might cost.
Actually, I was referring to the headphone amp that CJ announced would come out in 2018 with GAT-quality parts. Was wondering how much it might cost.
Lloyd. Class A told you - $9500
Featuring audio circuit and regulated power supply derived from our flagship GAT Series 2.
Featuring Teflon capacitors and bulk metal foil resistors throughout the audio circuit and regulated power supply.
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