Which used CJ amp to buy?

[Paquini]

Hi forum dwellers,

I’ve been considering selling my current amp (Parasound A21) as well as my phono pre-amp (Parasound JC3+) and reinvesting into a used CJ tube amp. I wish I had an unlimited budget but that’s just not the reality for me. I was thinking of a used CJ tube amp. There are quite a few models from years past that all look appealing and I’m trying to narrow down the selection to a few models within a $2500-$5000 range used. I’m curious which models I should consider?

[AnotherJohnson]

Unless your Parasound gear is presenting an issue, you might be better off keeping it. Buying used CJ in the price range you seek can be a crap shoot. If you decide to pursue it, you would be well advised to get a “home trial” with a return option on the used gear.

[microstrip]

Buying used gear needs some expertise and prudence. Assuming you have both and can buy with safety and have assured service for the gear yo are thinking about I would be happier with any cj tube amplifier issued after the MV52 (inclusive) than with the Parasound - for example the PV10 with an MV52 are much more musical than the A21. Although hard to get IMO the MV125 is the amplifier to look for in the range of prices you refer.

[admin]

If you want to buy used then that opens up a lot of CJ options in that price range. If you want to look at new, then you are looking at a Classic 62 or the CAV45-s2 which is a controller amp so takes the place of both preamp and amp,... some really good bang for your buck there. As for the used market, I think it's a careful balance between age-performance-price.

We have a link on our site here: https://www.conradjohnsonowners.com/vie ... php?t=1971 , for a search aggregator of all CJ gear currently being sold on numerous listing signs. Is there something in particular that you were looking to get or completely an open slate?

[33 rpm]

As admin says, you have a lot of options in the used market. As a fellow PV10A owner, I'd suggest paying attention to the input sensitivity of the CJ amp you're considering. A quick check shows your Parasound has a 1V input sensitivity. So, maybe something similar in a CJ tube amp would give you the CJ sound you want but also give you useable range in the volume control. For example, both the MV125 mentioned above and the Premier 11 have a sensitivity around 0.9V...so, close to what you have now.

[Paquini]

Hi forum dwellers… thank you for the input. I’ve been strongly considering a CJ Classic 62SE. I’m curious if others here have one or have input on this model? Im curious as well about the tube compliment long term. I love exploring different tube options on my PV10a, especially vintage tubes from Europe. I could be wrong but the tube options for the KT120 seem limited compared to an amp with EL34s. I haven’t delved much into tube power amps yet so my knowledge of power amp tubes so hopefully for any thoughts on tube selection for the classic 62SE moving forward vs another CJ power amp that might allow for more tube rolling versatility. Thanks.

[admin]

I own the CJ ART amps. So I have 16 KT120's in there. I think they are absolutely wonderful tubes and there is good tube availability for purchase. I think the prices have even dropped to a certain degree since their peek. I think the Tong Sol made ones are by far the most popular but there are other manufactures. They are large tubes and thus are a little pricy if tube rolling is what you are going for. They will certainly cost more than some small input tube.

At the end of the day, the Classic 62SE is a great amp. I would be surprised if it doesn't meet your needs. But of course your ears are the final judge.

[roberto]

Hola Paquini,
I'm a happy owner of the Classic One Twenty SE. And I'm with Admin regarding the KT-120s made by Tung Sol. This KT-120 is made to replace the 6550s and all the ancillary different models. This KT-120 offers to my ears a much better bass control, it is more powerful than the EL-34/6CA7 and 6550s. It has a truly wide stage and it is more dynamic. The harmonic texture is fantastic. I am not saying that the EL-34 is a bad tube, but my ears are very happy with these KT-120s. You can't go wrong with the Classic 62SE. This model has better S/R and much refined sound quality than the 62. It has teflon caps and metal foil resistors. It is a beauty.

[paulCJ]

As another option for a completely different direction, have you considered a used upper-level CJ preamp, like an ET7-SE or GAT or GAT-S2 and keeping your A21 for now?
The reason I mention this is I had a PV10AL as my preamp. I jumped up to a (used) GAT-S2 preamp combined with a (used) Levinson No. 534 power amp. By far two of the best audio decisions I have made.
And there is always the ability to upgrade your amp to a classic 62 SE or classic 120 SE or an Art at a later point in time.

[roberto]

Hola Paquini,
Trust your ears, let them decide what you do like or not. Those are the final judges. Mark Levinson is great stuff, but no matter what, it is a SS sound. Of course it has its signature sound quality. Now that I said this, my ears are very, but very forward to the tube sound quality. Your Gat-S2 is a jewel. One of the best preamps regardless of price. You should do a careful listening test with CJ tube gear.

[paulCJ]

My ears are tainted by liking, and being driven toward 2 different types of "sounds". On one hand, I love tubes, and all the warmth that goes with female vocals, and violins, and trumpets, piano, saxophone, etc. But have also been impressed at how good jazz sounds at a friend's house with his Gryphon Diablo 300 driving his CLX speakers (yes, you know that person from the ML forums). I had also heard how wonderful and smooth and clean solid state Class A Vitus sounds driving the Estelon Extremes. I ended up combining the GAT-S2 with a Levinson 534, and love how clean and smooth and natural everything sounds now. Imaging is the best I ever had. Female vocals are smoother than ever before. Violins, piano, saxophone, trumpets more real than ever before. The drums on the Gates of Dafos sound so real, with dynamics, impact, and tone just right. With the MU2, GAT-S2 and 534, the components appear to be all on the same level and seem to enhance one another. Though my secret weapon is the Gryphon PowerZone. I cannot listen to music now without it powering the system.
I never thought that I would reduce the number of tubes in my system to just 2, but it happened, and I couldn't be happier.

[AnotherJohnson]

I never thought that I would reduce the number of tubes in my system to just 2, but it happened, and I couldn't be happier.

Ditto.

Current Levinson was my point of departure. Far more transparent and dynamic in my system.

I’m on to Burmester… also worth a serious listen.

You do not have to lose anything. The steps are forward.

[roberto]

My ears are tainted by liking, and being driven toward 2 different types of "sounds". On one hand, I love tubes, and all the warmth that goes with female vocals, and violins, and trumpets, piano, saxophone, etc. But have also been impressed at how good jazz sounds at a friend's house with his Gryphon Diablo 300 driving his CLX speakers (yes, you know that person from the ML forums). I had also heard how wonderful and smooth and clean solid state Class A Vitus sounds driving the Estelon Extremes. I ended up combining the GAT-S2 with a Levinson 534, and love how clean and smooth and natural everything sounds now. Imaging is the best I ever had. Female vocals are smoother than ever before. Violins, piano, saxophone, trumpets more real than ever before. The drums on the Gates of Dafos sound so real, with dynamics, impact, and tone just right. With the MU2, GAT-S2 and 534, the components appear to be all on the same level and seem to enhance one another. Though my secret weapon is the Gryphon PowerZone. I cannot listen to music now without it powering the system.
I never thought that I would reduce the number of tubes in my system to just 2, but it happened, and I couldn't be happier.

That's what I am saying. What I like not necessary must be your liking. Once your ears are happy, that's the way to go. The thing is: your money, your liking and your ears happy. Enjoy those fine tunes! as RJ says.
Happy listening!

[paulCJ]

While I am extremely happy with my system, I keep on seeing CJ Class A amps on the used market, and is tempting.
The reasoning, or logic, is that if the GAT-S2 made this much magic in my system, that the latest CJ class A amps have to sound equally as wonderful. The rabbit hole is calling me, but so far have been able to resist...

[AnotherJohnson]

I can’t remember if this has been posted before.

It is a long series of posts made by Myles B. Astor who, like me was a dedicated CJ aficionado. The posts come from Lew Johnson.

If you love CJ, you will enjoy the history contained in this thread.

https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/the- ... on-designs

Although it is unrelated to the thread, Myles’ current equipment list is given in his signature at the end of each post. As I understand it, he had a fling with Burmester before his current set up.

[Joe Appierto]

What a wealth of information, thank you, AJ!

[paulCJ]

Thanks AnotherJohnson!!

[admin]

That was a great read. So much unique information that I was not aware of. Thanks for the link AJ!

[paulCJ]

AnotherJohnson

Can I ask what level of Burmester have you moved up to and what series Levinson did you have?

[AnotherJohnson]

AnotherJohnson

Can I ask what level of Burmester have you moved up to and what series Levinson did you have?

My Burmester gear is mid level. The 088 preamp and the 911 mk3 amp. I have auditioned the 077 and the higher amp series, including the flagship $350k options. I also have auditioned a pair of 911 mk3s.

For my room and speakers, I’m really happy with my present set up. I listen to demos and think “Wow, this is great!” But then when I get home and listen to my system I think “Wow, this is great too.” The bumps up from here come in $30k increments. I could do it without pain, but I’m still an audio cheapskate at heart. I can’t identify a single area where I wish my system were better. YMMV