Conrad Johnson Owners.com

Hi.
I am a longtime owner of a set of CJ Prem. 5 monoblocks.
Currently not working after being heavily modified by capable personnel. (or so I believed)
Reconfigured to Triode mode and changed all resistors to Beyschlag and caps to Mundorf silver in oil.
Also changed big caps to Rifa PEH169.
Have tried with substitute for EL34 - KT77, have understood that this was a direct replacement.
So, now I need to try a new road, having spent quite a sum of cash on improving these monsters.

I am thinking of separating the power section of the amplifiers and hardwiring these point to point.
The "other" part of the amplifier I was thinking to make new prints, with modern technology and modern prints.
The old prints are almost gone and it is no longer possible to purchase new replacements.

I have mailed the schematics and parts list for these amps in order to support this forum (couldn't find them here my selves)
I will be trying to gather information sufficient to produce the prints for the pre-part of the amps and find a good solution to hardwire the rest.

I am attaching a few pictures from the work on the amps so far.

Later, Lars

Wow. What a great project. I look forward to seeing the outcome. I updated our database with your schematic and there is another version of the premier 5 schematic and parts list that you may want to look at as well. Let us know how it turns out.

Great undertaking with probably the best electrolytics (RIFA).
Where
How's the project going in the mean time?

I have a pair Premier Fives myself with a Premier Three pre and thinking about substituting the EL-34's for KT77's.
What was your experience with that?
I see you have now installed the Winged "C" (SED) EL34's instead.

Hi.
Unfortunately, due to very busy times at work - I have not had any time to go forward with the project.
I am however, dependent on locating someone with the knowledge and the time to take one such a rather substantial project.
(As I am not "fluid" with designing and understanding complicated schematics myself.)

I do not have any hurry, I prioritize to achieve proper quality before I continue with such a project.
As you can see from the pictures, the prints are not something worth including in future plans...

Winged C was used by the last guy who tried to modernize and repair these amps, therefore I cannot say anything about quality in sound.
Premier 5 is a real keeper, have had offer to sell but will not incline to that.

Regards, Lars

Hi Lars,

Could you give us an update on your project?

Many thanks!

Bill

Hi. Long time no update. Have sent the amps to a person with probably knowledge of this kind of repair / modification 1 year ago. But have not received any updates so far. Kind of a bad sign. Will collect amps if no work has been done. Need a reliable and competent person to take on this job. Long term plans these... Gotten a Lyra connoisseur 4.2 L SE meanwhile, would be interesting to see how that would work together with the beasts...
Regards Lars

Thanks, best of luck!

Hifiasylum wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 8:05 am Hi. Long time no update. Have sent the amps to a person with probably knowledge of this kind of repair / modification 1 year ago. But have not received any updates so far. Kind of a bad sign. Will collect amps if no work has been done. Need a reliable and competent person to take on this job. Long term plans these... Gotten a Lyra connoisseur 4.2 L SE meanwhile, would be interesting to see how that would work together with the beasts...
Regards Lars

Wow, a year... I would probably try to get those back as soon as possible. Hope everything turns out ok, best wishes. Keep us updated.

Hi again.
Yes, its been quite some time without action. And no reply from the person in charge. Will probably travel down to this individual to get the cj's back.
Will update when new info is present.
Best regards, Lars