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Conrad-Johnson It just sounds right

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  #1  
Old 03-10-2017, 02:07 PM
kalali kalali is offline
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Default Which entry level preamp?

I'd like to try a tube CJ preamp for under <$1500 used. Which model is best? I've seen ET2, PV10BL come up for sale in this price range, may be even a Classic but not sure which one to get. Line stage is good enough and it'll be mated with a semi-vintage McIntosh MC2200 SS amp. Thanks in advance.
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Old 03-11-2017, 12:17 AM
Forte 4A Forte 4A is offline
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Spearit Sound is having a moving sale. They have a Classic 2 open box for $1620. Excellent buy.
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Old 03-11-2017, 09:55 AM
kalali kalali is offline
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Thanks. I actually saw the models on their site. So you recommend newer Classic 2 over a slightly used ET2 or other older models?
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Old 03-11-2017, 08:38 PM
Forte 4A Forte 4A is offline
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Smile

Hard to beat if you like the traditional CJ sound.
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Old 03-18-2017, 12:57 AM
jalanrolls jalanrolls is offline
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Would you be interested in a one owner PV9a that has been sitting since I bought a Mac c2300?
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Old 03-18-2017, 07:10 AM
1KW 1KW is offline
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Buy a like new pre owned Mcintosh MX model, such as a MX120 . it is a terrific pre amp but because it is a home theater processor replaced by the MX122 it can be purchased very cheap.
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Old 03-18-2017, 09:19 AM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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My vote goes to the PV 14L series II, when they come up for sale they usually fall in the $1250 - 1500 price range. Many a CJ owner has felt this unit is the sweet spot with respect to performance to dollar ratio.
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Old 03-19-2017, 03:18 PM
kalali kalali is offline
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Thank you all folks. I see a couple of PV12AL models available for a reasonable price. The ET2 model I had my eyes on is no longer available. Out of curiosity, almost all of the CJ preamps seem to have a fairly high gain. Anyone having any matching issues using them with a non-CJ amps? My MC2200 has a selectable input voltage sensitivity between 0.775 mv and 2.5 volts so I suppose I could use the higher value is I go the CJ route.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:59 AM
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Check out Audio Mart. There are a number of CJ pre's available there. There was a 17LS in your ball park.
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Old 03-21-2017, 11:59 PM
bgiliberti bgiliberti is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kalali View Post
I'd like to try a tube CJ preamp for under <$1500 used. Which model is best? I've seen ET2, PV10BL come up for sale in this price range, may be even a Classic but not sure which one to get. Line stage is good enough and it'll be mated with a semi-vintage McIntosh MC2200 SS amp. Thanks in advance.
Classic SE yes, Classic non-Teflon no. The teflon caps provide a top to bottom coherence that the Classic needs. I would also recommend looking for the ClassicSE series one, which use two Mullard 8080s. The series 2 uses one 6922(?), a type that sounds dull to me.

Last edited by bgiliberti; 03-22-2017 at 12:02 AM.
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