My CAV 45 S2

[Sephiam]

My recently purchased CAV 45 and Sonus faber Maxima Amators. Left 20+ years of McIntosh + Harbeth.

[AnotherJohnson]

Beautiful. Congratulations!

[admin]

Wow. One of the cleanest setups I have ever seen. Very nice indeed.

[roberto]

Hola,
I love the sound of the Sonus Faber products, and truly the Maxima Amators. Please tell us your findings. Your previous system is good too. My dad used to be a tube McIntosch fan. When he changed for SS, he did complaint a lot...then he went back with tubes.
Congratulations!
Happy listening!

[Paolo]

I"ll join the others in saying "Congratulations". Love the clean simplicity of your system. I've got the CAV 45S2 powering Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage and I am so pleased with the pairing. And coming from tube separates which required 26 tubes and increasing maintenance, I especially like that the small CJ has but 7 tubes.

Enjoy!

[Big Dog RJ]

Nice one matey! That's what I'm talking about... just keep it simple and you'll hear everything!

Brilliant work! Enjoy those fine tunes!
WOOF! RJ

[paulCJ]

Congrats on the integrated amp & the speakers. Please let everyone know how you like the jump over to Conrad Johnson, and how well the CJ matches with Sonus Faber.

[Joe Appierto]

Let me join with the others in congratulations on your system that I bet sounds grand.

Many moons ago (c. 2005) I was at a Los Angeles audio shop auditioning a Shunyata power cord. The sales guy let me listen to a pair of CJ Premier 12 amps driving Sonus faber speakers (they were big and had the string grills but I no longer remember which model) and it was just plain beautiful sounding. Clean, clear, musical and with plenty of oomph.

Enjoy!

[Sephiam]

Thanks, all, for the kind comments. I'm very happy! The Mc+Harbeth was nice, but the peripherals (streaming, software, etc) gave me a tech headache. So, I wanted to simply simplify. A couple of points I'll share with no apologies: I listen to FM radio more now on a basic Rotel tuner, having spent a bit of time on aeriel positioning, the CJ and SF combo is quite pleasant; I have a Mc MB20 for basic Bluetooth internet (Apple Music) streaming and again, it's quite pleasant; I went with the solid Bryston BCD-3 and though (I think) I miss a bit of the SACD from my Mc gear, I'm very satisfied.

So I've achieved "simple" in a regular listening environment that is musically wonderful to me. Biggest note: the Mc integrated amp had an equalizer I usually fiddled with. No need for an equalizer now, regardless of genre/loudness/listening position. "It just sounds right".

Now, thinking about the CJ headphone amp...

[Big Dog RJ]

Ah yes, the CJ headphone amplifier, that's a fine piece of machinery. Our CJ importer ordered one down unda, and it was the only one they got. Simply because it's quite pricey!

I'm not too sure if they sold more than just one or two units after that but when it reached our side of town, I had the chance to audition it. Superb!!!

So that's where the price point starts, it's built on very high standards and I was told that it's based on the ART series design, hence the price. It's not an ordinary headphone amp with a few tubes in it... it's far ahead of that and I would say is part of the very elite category of headphone specialists. JF has really hit the top with this particular design.

Not sure what the price is in the US but in Aus this thing is at a serious level. In which case, if anyone was to consider such a product, the rest of the gear has to be on par... otherwise it won't bring out the best in this headphone amp.

If you do get a chance to have a listen, from the first note onwards your hairs will raise, goosebumps will form with a lot of emotional impact. It's just another dimension!
I would very highly recommend the gear if you can afford it, you definitely won't be disappointed with this thing.

Cheers, RJ

[admin]

If I was a headphone guy instead of a speaker one, the CJ headphone amp would definitely be at the top of my list. As RJ mentioned, it is pricey, but then again, isn't everything high end these days?

[Paolo]

A question, Sephiam, since I also am using the CAV 45S2:
Is the lack of a remote volume control an issue for you? It is for me and I have a workaround using a DSpeaker AntiMode. Not an ideal solution perhaps, but pretty much essential in our home because of the open floor plan.

[AnotherJohnson]

It is easy to do without remote control … until you use one. It quickly becomes a need instead of a want.

I feel your pain.

Take solace in the fact that exercise is good for you.

[Paolo]

It is easy to do without remote control … until you use one. It quickly becomes a need instead of a want.

I feel your pain.

Take solace in the fact that exercise is good for you.

Since most of my listening now is Qobuz via Roon, the variations in volume are sometimes significant. The workaround I'm using is a digital device which does have a volume control along with a number of other features. But of course I'd prefer a straight CJ volume control since the CAV is so "pure."

The very good news is that in every other way, for my room and listening habits, the CAV is perfect.

[admin]

It's a little janky but you can build an external stepper motor control if you are so inclined.

https://www.reddit.com/r/arduino/commen ... ger_for_my/

https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-R ... er-Motors/

[Sephiam]

I agree that the volume levels differ between songs when streaming, and a remote would be nice, but the reason I went for this setup is to avoid frustrations. Just last night I went to listen to CD's. Low and behold the batteries on the Bryston remote were dead. To replace, had to Google, then had trouble with settings/codes, argh!
The fewer pieces, the better. Back to what's most important (sound): the CAV 45 S2 has simple circuits to assure a clean sound. I would think having the pieces that allow the remote to change gain would compromise that objective.
Most of my listening is CD or FM radio - so not having a remote for volume is absolutely fine for me.

[AnotherJohnson]

Most of my listening is CD or FM radio - so not having a remote for volume is absolutely fine for me.

And healthier too due to the forced exercise

[admin]

If you are listening to CD then you typically would only need to adjust the volume once with each disc as the entire CD will have a standard volume level. With FM, it's all dynamically compressed (unfortunately), but again, that alleviates the need for to too much volume control.

For streaming random tracks from different albums is where you will have to adjust volume more often. A complete album play should not be a problem.

[Paolo]

It's a little janky but you can build an external stepper motor control if you are so inclined.

https://www.reddit.com/r/arduino/commen ... ger_for_my/

https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-R ... er-Motors/

Thanks. It does look a bit "janky". . I'll continue to use the DSPeaker Anti Mode 2.0. If it's hurting SQ neither my wife nor I can hear it. As far as physical exercise goes, I get plenty except when I'm sitting down to enjoy my music.

[Paolo]

I agree that the volume levels differ between songs when streaming, and a remote would be nice, but the reason I went for this setup is to avoid frustrations....
The fewer pieces, the better. Back to what's most important (sound): the CAV 45 S2 has simple circuits to assure a clean sound. I would think having the pieces that allow the remote to change gain would compromise that objective.
Most of my listening is CD or FM radio - so not having a remote for volume is absolutely fine for me.

One of the many reasons I decided to sell my tube separates was to simplify. The CAV 45S2 does not disappoint. I'm almost tempted to sell my other amp, a Luxman class A integrated. Almost....