ET3se production timeline

[Rubicon15]

Does anyone know when CJ stopped manufacturing the ET3se?

[admin]

If memory serves I think the ET3 came out around 2017. I'm fairly certain they are produced in batches and then sold for some time until the next model is put into production.

[Big Dog RJ]

Yes, around 2017/18 we had our few orders in Down Unda. The ET3se had a good run till about after our very long Covid Shut down. So it still kept going till about 2023, just phased out and in came the ET6/se. The ET7 series is in current production but now only the S2 version. I think we're a bit behind when it comes to ordering CJ's newer line up, simply because the previous gear needs to sell first!

The ET6/se has not had much traction here as yet... I think owners still prefer their ET3 and the ET7 series. So that's quite a gap from the top of the line, which was the GATS2 and now is the ART88. Also from a performance factor and real VFM, the ET3SE seems to be more popular here than other larger markets with higher buying power, for ex. compared to US, UK or the Sth East Asian region.

So, overall it's a fantastic preamp for what it offers (although no balance control & single pair of Main Outs), and it's really not that out of date in comparison to CJ's other vintage line-up,
Hope that helps, cheers
RJ

[admin]

I think what RJ says makes sense.

The ET6 has been out for 5 years and is still part of the active lineup. I would imagine they don't sell a lot of these but there are numerous ones up on the used market. On the used market the price differences are even less so I figure most people would try to get in on an ET7 if they can on the used market (which is how I got mine). For new units it may be different. In markets with "artificial" price inflation, like RJ's Australia, it makes more sense to look at the "lower end" new models because the price difference is so much more between the tiers.

As I am typing this, I just checked on hifishark, and there are 7 ET3s for sale, all foreign markets. For comparison there are 5 ET7s, 2 of which are in the US. Admittedly, a small sample size, but nonetheless it would support the hypothesis that the ET3s are more attractive outside of the US where prices are higher.

Although balance controls and having more than one main out is nice, it would not be a "must have" feature for myself. I don't use the balance controls and I have one amp that I am feeding the signal to.

Without knowing the background sales numbers, it's good to know that there are multiple offerings from a small manufacturer such as CJ. Having 3 tiers (and additional SE/phono variations) of peamps in the current lineup is pretty good. I don't think we can expect more than that.

[Rubicon15]

Thank you! I didn’t realize the ET3se was in production until 2023. However, with Covid, everything seemed to be in suspense. I purchased a used ET3se in 2021. I believe it was purchased by the original owner in 2019. I have been very pleased with the unit. Like most people, I don’t need a balance control or a second output. I agree, the ET3se is a solid performer and see why many owners may pass on upgrading to the ET6 or even the ET7.

[AnotherJohnson]

Thank you! I didn’t realize the ET3se was in production until 2023. However, with Covid, everything seemed to be in suspense. I purchased a used ET3se in 2021. I believe it was purchased by the original owner in 2019. I have been very pleased with the unit. Like most people, I don’t need a balance control or a second output. I agree, the ET3se is a solid performer and see why many owners may pass on upgrading to the ET6 or even the ET7.

That’s because it was not.

Admin correctly points out that CJ often batch builds. My sense is that he builds his flagship models in an initial batch, and after that JIT.

The ET3 was originally offered 10+ years ago. The model was discontinued at least 6 years ago. There were sealed NOS units available for a longer time. At least this was the US scenario. If their availability lingered longer in Asian markets, this may be because, as JF has said, his major sellers in Asia are his flagship models.

The 6 is nice … but so was the 5. And so was the 7s1.
The 3 is very nice too.

[Rubicon15]

Makes sense… I know CJ has the ET3se listed on their website with the Absolute Sound, Editor’s Pic in 2017. I assume, that had to be near the end of its production cycle. I’m sure Covid impacted production, sales and distribution. The ET3 was originally offered first about 10 years ago. As you know, the ET3SE followed a few years later. Based on the original sales receipt, the unit I purchased used was bought new in 2019.

[AnotherJohnson]

Makes sense… I know CJ has the ET3se listed on their website with the Absolute Sound, Editor’s Pic in 2017. I assume, that had to be near the end of its production cycle. I’m sure Covid impacted production, sales and distribution. The ET3 was originally offered first about 10 years ago. As you know, the ET3SE followed a few years later. Based on the original sales receipt, the unit I purchased used was bought new in 2019.

I owned the ET3SE. I bought it new from Ralph Spears (Spearit Sound, now closed due to Ralph’s retirement and move to South Carolina).

It was one of my first SE components and a HUGE step up from my beloved PV11 w/phono.

I paired it with an MF2550SE and thought I’d found the ultimate electronics. If modern CJ did anything for me, it dragged me kicking and screaming into the 21st Century, and it taught me that advances in sound reproduction were absolutely real.

I eventually traded the ET3SE on an ET7, and that got traded on an ET7 S2, and then on to ARC Ref 6, Ref 6SE, and finally ( and I do mean bucket list final), my Burmester 088.

Comparison and critical listen can bring discontent. Better from a cost point of view to stay away from comparisons (although the 088 has held up well so far).