ART150 Incoming

[ronenash]

Hi all,

I could not be more exited. After selling my LP125mSE mono blocks which have served me extremely well over the past 8 years I placed an order for the new ART150 amplifier. I am expecting the FedEx truck today.... Can't wait.

Once I receive it I will send some unboxing pictures and will send initial impressions.

Best to all,
Ron

[jahatl513]

We sit patiently awaiting your report in a few hundred hours. I am this morning contemplating an offer from my dealer to help me up to an ART 150.

[jahatl513]

Ronenash, congratulations! I had forgotten that on my last message. I too ordered a ACT 150 just today; sold my Classic 120SE to make it happen.

[Big Dog RJ]

Very nice indeed Maties!

Do let us know how these KT 150's reproduce music. Now that both of you have used the KT 120 configs, this should be a direct comparison between both types of tubes.

Having gotten used to the wonderful signature sound in the past CJ gear with either EL34's or 6550's, and extensively using the KT90, which is found on Manley monoblocks, I am eager to learn what you mates think of the new KT150's.

I have listened to a few amps using this tube but wasn't impressed nor over excited in any way compared to what the KT 120 can offer.

Obviously on CJ amplification it is very different and does offer a remarkable performance level. Having said that, I would certainly like to know what you both think of it, when you receive your amps and all is settled in nicely.

Ron, I trust that the ART150 will take your SF Amati's to celestial heights! I listened to the Amati's driven with top line ARC amps using kt150's but it didn't sound anything like a true CJ amp... Something special indeed!

Enjoy to the fullest Maties, just gotta love it!
Cheers, RJ

[ronenash]

Thank you all. The ART150 out of the box is showing great promise. Bass is the best I have ever heard from a tube amp which includes by Beard P100 which was already a step above the CJ LP125mSE. Not quite a match for my Krell FPB300 but fantastic nevertheless. Details retrieval is also several notches above the LP125mSE. Unfortunately as we all know this is only a hint of what this amplifier is capable of as those Teflon caps will need many hours of cooking to sound their best. I currently have only 20 hours o the amp so its going to take a while.
Also, this has to be the best packed CJ I have ever owned. Double box, and extremely well packed. In the time being hear are some unpacking photos for you.

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[Joe Appierto]

Very, very nice. Best of luck with it.

[admin]

Wow. It looks amazing. I simply love the look of those KT150 tubes in that classic CJ body. Congrats and enjoy the listening.

[Timo62]

Ron ,
Congratulations on your new Art 150 amp! It is a beautiful looking amp!

[jahatl513]

ronenash-
Talked to Jeff F. When they built the GAT 2 for me they burned it in some 150 hours before sending. I would assume the same for the ART they are going to build and send me; the same for yours and hopefully it does not take that long to burn in. Congratulations!!

[ronenash]

jahat513,
I heard they put 50 hours on the ART150 before shipping but I am not sure. In any case with 50 hours of use I still get the inconsistent Teflon cap break in dance where it will sound great in the morning and totally flat 6 hours later. I still have a way to go with break in.

I have gone through this in the past and I have the patience

[jahatl513]

Teflon dance is correct. Been there and back a few times. It is like I have to tattoo it on my arm to remember "What the @*&&$(& happened to my sound,.... Oh yeah

[ronenash]

With over 200 hours on the clock (probably around 250 hours with the break in time at the factory) I thought I would send another update.

The ART150 is really starting to show its capabilities. Improvement in sound quality is more consistent and the Teflon break in step backs are behind me at this point. Improvements are smaller at this point and harder to pin point but definitely there and the amp keeps getting better. The biggest improvement over previous CJ power amps I have had (LP125mSE, Premier 12, LP70s) is in the bass. Its tight fully of texture and detail with no overhang and goes deeper than any other tube amp I have heard. Aside from the bass it better in every other area as well but the increments are smaller.
The ART150 throuws a huge detailed soundstage with lots of space between performers. Its a step up i this regard vs. the LP125m mono blocks. This was my greatest concern moving from mono blocks to a stereo amp. Mono blocks are typically better in this regard. The LP125m was fantastic but the ART150 is still a step up with more detail and a wider and more focused soundstage. I am suspecting this has to do with the ART150 being more capable in driving my Sonus Faber Amati Futura's.
On good recordings the ART150 makes performers come alive in my listening room. I listen mostly to acoustic jazz and an absolute joy to hear a good jazz recording through the ART150. On historic jazz recordings I would rather use my Beard P100 amp as it has more traditional tube sound and does make these recording more listenable.
Based on my experiece with breaking in the LP125mSE I am sure the ART150 is still has a way to go and will improve over the coming 2-3 month but at this point I am not thinking about it and just enjoying beautiful music.

Ron

[Big Dog RJ]

Nice one Ron mate!

Good one indeed, in fact I don't think 2-3 months is going to do it. In my experience with Tefs in CJ's, it took nearly a year! After the first 6-8 months the sound is fully settled and the amps amplify just effortlessly regardless of speakers... I strongly believe what you are hearing now, will be quite different towards end of year. That should be nothing short of marvelous!

Yes, there's a risk of losing that total drive and grip that monoblocks have over any speaker system but the ART150 is not just an ordinary stereo amp. You would realize that by now especially after having the LP125m's.

The LP125m's are fine amplifiers and specially when connected to some fine equipment through top end cables, such as Nordost, which is what I'm currently using. I was wondering whether you would be able to get hold of some Odin's just to try out on the ART150, that would certainly be an incredible experience!
The Odin's are the worshipful master, I really don't have words to describe it...

Anyway, sorry for interrupting with this Nordost madness. Enjoy that ART150 and look after it well, they are indeed very rare and special amplifiers, artfully created by CJ.
Cheers mate, RJ

[jahatl513]

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It's here. Arrived two days ago and I had to get some projects done before opening.

[ronenash]

Ahhh and the journey starts... I am sure you will enjoy the amp greatly.

[ronenash]

RJ,

I agree the full break in will take up to a 1000 hours but the changes beyond the first 300 hours are smaller. I played the amp 12 hours daily to expedite the first stage of break in. At this point I am just enjoying the music knowing that it will still get better but I am not stressing over it,.

Best, Ron

[Coppy]

Hey Rob...no comments yet. How do you like thevAmp?

[Coppy]

Ron... lots to read, Navigated this wrong. My bad. Enjoy.

[Coppy]

By the way... also have a GAT and the ART 150. Several months now. Best c-j amp yet. Even have less problems with power line hum, maybe because it’s not a monoblock. The only amp I’ve not had to float the ground on. Agree entirely with all your comments on sound quality. Someone mentioned Nordost. Using Tyr 2 to my Yvettes. Big suggestion to everyone... this amp draws some juice. Power up with a dedicated outlet, 15 or 20 amp is less important than running it alone on the outlet. Also, if you really want to make it sing and low lows, try an Audioquest Hurricane PC. Wish I could unhear the difference.
Congratulations.

[ronenash]

Coppy,
I am more a Wireworld cable guy. I haven't used Odins or Nordost but have tried other cables and settled on Wireworld for power, speaker and interconnect. I think they are really special and even their mid-line cable sounded better to me than some of the top cables from other companies.

With that said I have only heard a fraction of the cable offering out there and I am sure there are other fantastic cables.

Enjoy
Ron