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Author Topic: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?  (Read 5407 times)

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Offline nickgregory

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Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« on: February 28, 2014, 10:08:33 PM »
My local audio retailer got in a mint condition Conrad Johnson PV-11 pre and MF-80 amplifier and pinged me as he knows I am considering making a change from the multichannel system I have to straight two channel.  If I did this I would be replacing my Arcam AVR300 with the CJ gear.  I am feeding Von Schweikert VR-2s and have them biamped. 

So given this, anyone have any experience with CJ gear?

Offline carlbeck

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2014, 06:29:38 AM »
I've had the PV & MF in the past although I had the MF200. Quality gear that would be at home in your system for sure. I found the CJ gear to be a touch dark although extremely musical when I ran them with my Vandersteens. It's a flavor thing though so you may like it, the quality is certainly there & biamping your VR-2's would be the best way since the VR's while not exactly hard to drive respond to power. I'd say IMO it will be a definite upgrade over the Arcam fwiw.
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Offline raymonda

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2014, 08:46:03 AM »
First rate. Depending on the price and speakers to be used it could be a nice system. I really like their tube gear....so the pre is very attractive to me.

Offline nickgregory

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2014, 09:27:24 AM »
ok, so  a (likely dumb) question.  currently I bi-amp my VR-2s, and given what I saw of the MF80 I am going to need to bi-wire them (ie one connection off of amp feeds two on speaker end).  so am I understanding right that given the 80wpc rating of the MF80 that I will be splitting that 80 to 40wpc (maybe not that clear cut) and feeding the VR-2s?  And if so, what would the effect of sound out of speakers be theoretically if I am currently bi-amping using a 100wpc integrated?

Likely stupid question, but this is uncharted ground for me

forgot to add, price being quoted is $1200 flat...seems to be in the range of where it needs to be given the quality the gear is in and no tax (as it is a consignment sale for my audio guy)
« Last Edit: March 01, 2014, 10:43:50 AM by nickgregory »

Offline StuStu

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2014, 12:52:11 PM »
I loved my PV-11 when I was running tubes. I think you'll enjoy it. CJ is top-notch.
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Offline raymonda

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2014, 03:04:10 PM »
The price seems a bit high for gear that is 25 years old. The pv11 used maybe 550 and the mf 80 maybe 250. I think the pre is the item to get. Imo.

Offline nickgregory

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2014, 09:20:39 PM »
So I negotiated a bit and got both pieces for $1K.  Really a fair deal considering both pieces look brand new, not a mark on either.

Have had them hooked up and listening in my system for the last few hours, and am really happy thus far.

- The tube pre (at least I am assuming it is the tubes) really needed a good half hour to warm up.  After that point everything got a bit smoother, more layered.
- The low end is significantly punchier without being bloated.
- Mids definitely are more forward than I am used to hearing. 

Bottom line really enjoying what I am hearing.  I think it may be the result of having tubes in my system for the first time, or hell, I could be hearing things, but I think it definitely has changed how my system sounds.


Offline raymonda

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Re: Conrad Johnson Gear experience?
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2014, 06:19:20 PM »
Nice job. That is a very fair value. The pre is really nice and will provide a lot of room for growth. It also can be modded for better performance. Enjoy.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2014, 06:22:24 PM by raymonda »

 

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