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Metalwork for C-J power amplifiers

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 4:52 pm
by Wildcat
Just out of curiosity, does Conrad-Johnson stock any of the metalwork for their older amplifiers? I believe ARC does, but I fear that based on what I have read elsewhere, C-J does not.

I am thinking of items like faceplates and tube cages. I have seen a few amps over the years, but have resisted them due to them looking rather tired. (And it also makes me question why anyone would ever mistreat their equipment to get them to a poor condition!)

I know some of the guys who restore vintage receivers sometimes get new faceplates made, but I doubt anyone could match the gold color of the C-J front panel. For the cage, I wouldn't care if it matched the original design, but if it were made nicely and fit perfectly, it would do well enough for me.

Then there is the guy who cut the "wing" off of the faceplate of his MV60SE and then filed it down...pretty much killed any value the amp may have had (and it has been unsold for months).

Re: Metalwork for C-J power amplifiers

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 1:30 am
by Big Dog RJ
Hey mate,

Yes, CJ does have face plates for most of their older gear. I remember for a few customers for their PFR's, Premier amp series and MF amp series. They should have current stock but you never know what's available until you get their actual final word. You have to deal with them directly and they will look after you.

Re. to customers mistreating their gear- tell me about it! When I picked up my ACT2 (used) the remote had all these bad smudges on it, as if the silly fella was eating chips and drinking soda's at the same time operating the remote. It was like a dirty table cloth and the marks wouldn't even come off! Apart from not being able to read the lettering, I knew what to press since I had used a similar remote before, but hec! I had to order a brand new one.
The ACT2 was also terrible on the faceplate, everything was faded and the top looked liked it had been through the laundry. Although not damaged or dented in anyway-phew! It didn't look great at all for 8 grand used, which is what I paid. Anyway sound wise- superb!

I also remember on one of my older Manley monoblocks, some idiot owner had dropped something really heavy on one of the mains transformers, and the no longer shiny stainless steel caps, had a huge dent in it! I had to order a transformer cap replacement and Manley's service is superb in that regard. Similar to VTL, they have everything and anything available.

Cutting off that "fin" from the MV60SE is terrible! Now that is a disaster in every sense of the word!
Goodness knows what else he has cut off or modified in there... this is the thing when people prefer cosmetics to overall sound.

CJ builds and designs there gear around the "classic" config, hence sometimes they may not look so good compared to the norm...
When I got my Classic 60SE, I didn't like the look of those transformers exposed, at least covers on them like metal caps would help. Perhaps I should have just cut off the transformer...

Then arrives the CAV45 as well as the newer Classic series amps, and they look marvellous! as well as sound superb! So there we go, cheers to CJ.
RJ

Re: Metalwork for C-J power amplifiers

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 3:06 am
by Wildcat
RJ, that is good to hear. When I asked regarding my PV-14L, they did not have any faceplates. But, I can ask about the others I have come across. When my PV-14L was shipped, the remote had shifted to a corner of the amp and pushed on one of the buttons sideways, dislodging it somewhat. Not a big deal because I was able to pop it back in, and it works with no issues. It was kind of strange to have this small, black plastic remote for an expensive preamp, though.

The butchered MV60SE? The reason the wing was cut off is because there was not a cage with the amp. To me that is like cutting off a leg because I can't find any pants! :D

Small, nearly invisible marks do not bother me. I saw a pair of Premier 12s that looked like they had gouges in the faceplates, along with a couple other deep scratches. I have seen other components that did not look so good. It is not so bad if the sides and the rear have a couple of marks, but having a marred faceplate is bothersome.

A lot of these smaller companies really take good care of their customers.

Re: Metalwork for C-J power amplifiers

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:12 pm
by Wildcat
To follow up, I asked C-J directly about metal parts for the Premier 12 and Premier 11. They have neither.

Re: Metalwork for C-J power amplifiers

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:56 pm
by Wildcat
I wonder if anyone makes reproduction metalwork for components. I could see it being a handy service, as I am sure there are others out there who might want to freshen up a used component. CNC machining could cut a nearly exact replica of the original, and after that it would only be a matter of laser etching a logo. With C-J, it would also be a matter of providing an anodized panel in the correct color (or at least close enough).