Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

The PV-1 to now...
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antaresbluespirit
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Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by antaresbluespirit »

The PV8 came up on the market from 1988 to 1990,following the PV5 and I got this unit 2years ago close to a Uk "gentleman" who had been using this unit for 20 years partnered with an ADCOM GFA 555 amp and a pair of BW801 lounspeakers. He was absolutely enthousiast about the sound of this preamp and decided to sell it due to the lack of space within the house for the whole system.....he had to choose between the CJ ...or his wife! (not the same kind of love) ;)

Apart from the technical specs, the separate units or combo has to be designed in using "button" I absolutely need to turn a" button" and not a "remote " it is psychologic.... :D the PV series from the PV1 to the PV12 suits to me in term of sensitive control.

Second standart feature of the PV8 is the quality of the phono stage integreted since the vinyl is an alternative to 30% of my current recording support linked in interface with a MC cartritge T20 transformer (low impedance) Ortofon to keep" full tube" cicuit from very low signal input adjusted to the line level...

In the other hand the whole set of tube remains original GE 5751,5965 and practical experience shared with a number of users confirms that the PV8 gives its best with GE tube and pay justice to its original sound character.

lisening:

For those who know the "old "CJ sound I would say that the PV8 (as well as the PV9A )has a unique capabilitie to higlight the rythm ,strong matters and" space breathing" between instrument, the trumpet energy is "organic" (chet Baker solo ) or the guitar in the Blues OF BB king is ....the attacks are impressive, the weight of the music effective. this characteristic come from of the frequency response whitch has a little "loundness effect" and gives the "rock and roll character of the PV8 different of the PV5 (ah PV5 lovely cymbals decay!)since less "caramel" and more neutral. The PV8 is less accurate /transparent than the PV11or PV12, the soundstage larger but at the end we need both.

Its current partnership with the MV60SE gives a well balanced and natural sounstage with strong dynamic to lead many kind of loundspeakers

Anyway ,at the end as told me one of my friend who had all the CJ range, a CJ is always "musical" what ever the generation is....
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Animal
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by Animal »

Beautiful.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

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Animal wrote:Beautiful.
I completely agree. Very nice unit. Nice phono stage as well.
-admin
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Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by Tiziano73 »

I agree with you. I'm driving a pair of Aliante Moda PF with a Dynaco ST-35 and a PV8 preamp and they sound lovely. I've found the best sound with this tubes on PV8: in the phono stage, 12ax7 Sylvania, 5751 GE Five Stars, 5965 Sylvania; in line stage 5751 GE Five Stars, 5965 Telefunken. My Dynaco ST-35 mount PIO K40Y-9 capacitors, 6P14P-EV (EL84M) and Mullard 12DW7 tubes. My sources are a Project RPM 5.1 with Ortophon 2M Black for vinyl and NAD 516BEE for CD player. Really a first class sound. Enjoy.
Last edited by Tiziano73 on Fri Dec 28, 2018 3:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by Bluesbob »

That pre-amp can be up-graded to a real high-end unit by c-j. I had it done to my PV11. Not cheap, but for what you wind up with it's definitely worth it.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by antaresbluespirit »

Hi

These preamps' génération like the PV9A PV8 -11 -12 remain a good classic value and may be serviced by any local tube spécialist worldwide but any upgrade in keeping the previous unit character can be done by the mother company or acknowleged specialist like Bill Thalman....

Should you know the matters of the upgrade of your PV8,I would be happy (change of the original scheme or just component upgrade)

Best regards

Raymond (France)
Tiziano73
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by Tiziano73 »

I'm really happy with the stock units. I'm not an upgrade's fan because it's an hard comeback way. Tube rolling is my favorite happiness and with my tube testers i think i'm obtaining really nice results. Anyway thank you for any suggestions. Tiziano.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by lectrolink »

I just started hearing a gentle popping noise on both channels of the phono input only of my PV-8 when I turn up the volume. Also, phono playback is missing something now. Line stage/CDs are quiet and sound good. Should I re-tube the entire unit (6 yrs since retube) or can I just repllace the 12AX7s?

Also, it has been years since the unit has had a good cleaning. What do people recommend for contact cleaners and how best to clean pots, etc.?
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by Tiziano73 »

Hi, try to check phono rca plug or socket on your pv8 may be a bad contact or bad solder.

If you think may be the tubes try to swap V3 with V5 and V4 with V6. If some if this tubes is bad you now could shift the problem on line channel if not try also with a New pair of 12ax7 (a cheap shuguang it is good to try this)

I hope this help

Kind regards
Last edited by Tiziano73 on Mon May 22, 2017 11:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

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lectrolink wrote: Sun May 21, 2017 9:26 pm I just started hearing a gentle popping noise on both channels of the phono input only of my PV-8 when I turn up the volume. Also, phono playback is missing something now. Line stage/CDs are quiet and sound good. Should I re-tube the entire unit (6 yrs since retube) or can I just repllace the 12AX7s?

Also, it has been years since the unit has had a good cleaning. What do people recommend for contact cleaners and how best to clean pots, etc.?
If you haven't done so yet, grab the schematic for the PV8 from our database. If it's both channels you can probably figure out what tubes would be involved with both channels and look at those specifically. A lot of people like to retube their entire machine regardless to ensure that the tubes are well matched both in sound and lifespan.
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Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
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Re: Conrad Johnson PV8-Preamp

Post by tubegroover »

You can't imagine the degree of improvement that can be realized by upgrading your PV8. Bill Thalmann upgraded my PV9A 2 years ago, I am amazed everyday, truly stunning performance in all parameters mimicking live music on the best recordings. Jazz, rock, classical/orchestral, choral, this pre is not prejudiced. The dynamics rival some of the mega pres i've listened to but that is not too surprising considering the large PS, it was quite good stock. Cheaper than CJ upgrades and more is done well worth investigating.
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