C-J LP140Ms To be or not to be? That is the question

[Puma Cat]

Well, I've been considering a major upgrade to my system....my local store has a pair of Conrad-Johnson LP140M monoblocks and I've been considering picking them up. The price is excellent on them and I've heard great things about them. If I sold my C-J LP70S and one of my C-J preamps, I could break even or even be ahead of the game.

Whadda ya guys think?

[Tonepub]

It's going to sound like what you have, with more power.

[Puma Cat]

So, Jeff, you don't think there will be any "intrinsic" improvement (the whole supposed advantages of mono blocks), other than the increased power?

Have you sold your P9 yet?

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

So, Jeff, you don't think there will be any "intrinsic" improvement (the whole supposed advantages of mono blocks), other than the increased power?

Have you sold your P9 yet?

Stephen
try them ......your Dyn goes apprecier, they get better to breathe
on the complex messages, on micro dynamic, on the bottom of the spectre, on the space the earnings are evident, do not hesitate one second
The drummers and the bass players are going to go into your room
keep us updated
good luck
Philippe

[turntable]

Stephen, imo it will be really nice upgrade in muscal enjoyment. A few years back when I listened to the 11a's and 12's it was a significant increase in dynamics, weight and feeling of Control and power.

If you read the gregory review in hifi+ a couple of years back, he listens and compares the 70, 140 and 275's. The following quotes are when he changed from the 70 to the 140, put some salt on the reviewer hyperbole and you get a pretty good idea.

" the monoblocks bring a dramatic increase in weight, musical and harmonix complexity, instrumental body and presence, musical poise and authority. The 140's bring a sense of drive and energy. As good as the 70S seems on first aquaintance, the 140's are in a different league"

He could find no downside

[Tonepub]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

So, Jeff, you don't think there will be any "intrinsic" improvement (the whole supposed advantages of mono blocks), other than the increased power?

Have you sold your P9 yet?

You will get a bit wider soundstage due to the monoblock configuration and more weight from more power, but you don't have speakers that go down to 20hz or a large room. Unless you are really cranking it up all the time, (remember Roy Gregory has a BIG room) I doubt there will be all that much difference.

In your system the weak link is the phono stage. That's where I'd spend the money. Seeing you like CJ, I'd grab a premier 15 and send it in for the teflon caps upgrade. That will offer a much bigger performance gain than going from an LP70 to a pair of LP140's. I'd also think about a lot better digital front end.

If you talk to Lew and Bill they will tell you that the three amplifiers are all basically the same, other than larger output stages, with more tubes and transformers that are equipped to handle the additional power. The quality of amplification is the same across the range.

[jdandy]

Stephen.......The allure of mono block amplifiers sitting in your room is strong. As Jeff has said it may be a bit of a lateral move sound wise, albeit more power never hurt anyone's system, but the pleasure of seeing separate left and right channels amps in your system is very satisfying all by itself. Visual gratification is a big part of our hobby, too.

[turntable]

Stephen

Jeff has a point re the phono stage. the 834P is very good, however the rest of your amplifcation is better.
Whether or not you stay with the 6H30 or 6922 based pre amp might also dictate what phono step to take next.

But if you are getting a great deal on the LP140's, upgrade everything

[Tonepub]

Seriously. A good friend just found a used Premier 15 for about $2000. Sent it to CJ for the caps and a checkup for about another $1200. It's an amazing phono stage for $3200.

[Puma Cat]

I've decided to follow Jeff's advice, and if I put my dollars anywhere, it would be into a better phono stage and at some point in time, digital front end. FWIW, I check Audiogon daily for Premier 15s, but it's been quite a while since I've seen one for sale. Not surprisingly, they go pretty fast when they do appear; folks know how good they are.