Big Dog RJ wrote: ↑Sun Jul 23, 2023 8:52 am Yes that's correct. C1 is Teflon only, no Vishays.
Vishays cost a fair bit, and the more Vishays in there, when all added up Vishays + Teflons + other components equals a pretty penny.
For example; Apart from the Class A mods done on my monoblocks, I remember CJ HQ asking me if I'm ready for the Full SE upgrade... the reason asked was because once this specific upgrade was done, when selling the amps that separate cost of SE upgrades cannot be re-invested, its gone! I was very ready, simply because I'm not selling the amps. So they were a happy bunch and sent across parts.
Re. To Tonye's preamp
In one way having done just the C1 upgrade is actually more sensible and the preamp should hold good value. Either version done still sounds fantastic! Just enjoy it to the fullest and keep it for as long as possible. I think it's time to enjoy those fine tunes!
Cheers, RJ
The CJ website states:
https://conradjohnson.com/project/model ... -upgrades/
Model Upgrades
Conrad-Johnson factory model upgrades install the same parts and circuits that were incorporated in the latest or upgraded model version. An upgraded unit is electrically the same as the original production model.
We offer the following model upgrades:
Preamplifiers
...
ET3 to ET3SE (includes C1 Upgrade)
No, I'm not going to sit down and just "enjoy the preamp"... I bought a non SE unit because I wanted to factory to do the SE upgrade and at the same time check out the preamp in case it needed any kind of work and bring it up as-new condition. I didn't want to buy a used SE unit...
I TOLD Jasmine I wanted the full line stage SE upgrade... we specifically discussed it, I got the emails that describe what the upgrade entails: teflon caps and vishay resistors, no fancy RCA jacks.
She quoted me 1500 and I paid 1500 to do a line stage.... A fair price I thought. I paid 2000 to do my PV9, which includes the phono preamp.
I will be getting a hold of her and finding out WTH happened here.
There we go again with abysmal customer service... can you believe such a F%%% up?
Honestly, the preamp sounds great, the steelieness is going away but if I paid for something that she screwed up I fully expect them to pay for the shipping back and forth to fix it.
I'll open it tomorrow and see what's in there. What a crazy outfit.
You know... I'm pretty pissed off because there's an ET3SE on sale for less than it cost to buy the ET3 and upgrade to what I thought was "SE"... but again, I was OK with paying the extra to have the factory renew the preamp... but now... I'm getting pretty pissed off. I sent Jasmine a nice email. let's see what she says. I also cc'd the original seller, who was in the mail thread with Jasmine, and he also was under the impression that the Vishay caps were part of the upgrade... We'll see.
It's good that I have a DIY Iron Pre Balanced in the making.. that one has Vishay caps, Alps volume knob, expensive transformers... etc...
Jeez.. I better stop typing.
+++
Knob vs. remote.
For some 30 years, my Linn LP12 sat on the top shelf of the Target rack with the PV9 on the shelf below.... so it became 2nd nature for me to turn the volume down before lifting the stylus.. and turning it up after lowering it.... My body memory is still there... I keep looking for the darn volume know... The ET3 is too wide to fit in the Target rack so it sits in the amp rack. I just got to remember to turn it down and then I got to remember which buttons do what. I guess it's just a matter of learning new skills.
OTOH, it is nice to have remote volume control. Those wireless knobs are nice, but that's not what I'm looking for. I already built something like that for my home theater years ago.. a USB based knob, but my current Emotiva processor has a volume knob now...