|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
98.145.163.72
Anyone heard one?
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
Follow Ups:
never buy another amp without autobias. Prima Luna has a series of great sounding integrateds all with adaptive autobias at the same price and power, or more, as the CJ. Why would anyone buy this amp.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
"same price, power, and more" CJs have a distinctive sound. If you are going by what you describe, there is no reason to buy the CJ. If you have heard the magic that CJ has in certain cercumstances, you would know the answer to your question.
I do not currently own any CJ equipment, but have had several peices in the past, and they can sound very good. That's the point right, or is it ease of use?
a number of years ago and recently heard it also. Their house sound has remained the same, so I am well aware of the burnished glow CJs impart to the sound. That said, I have heard the PLs and they are more neutral to my ears without any loss of that tube magic and the Adaptive Autobias is a great feature.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
Don't be to hasty. I have a new VTA ST-70 with the bias test points are right on the front panel. All four output tubes have individual bias controls right on the front top. It takes me a minute or less to bias this amp and mine sits in a tight self.
The bias pots are those little blue squares at the corners of the driver board. The test points are those sockets on the front.
My TAD-1000 also have easily accessible bias points but I'm simply sick of doing it. My next amp is the PL Integrated HP and tube bias is a thing of the past.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
I don't bother checking the bias very often. I did check it every few weeks but after 18 months or so the bias hasn't moved a hair. So now I don't even bother checking. Maybe if I'm bored.
I find new production tube amps and preamps to be MORE temperamental, higher maintenance and just plain twitchy as compared to vintage gear. Ratter ironic but that is what I am finding. My new gear eats tubes and my friends new power amps are like having a pet that you have to take care of. Honestly you CAN keep that.
If you want low maintenance and great sound do check out the VTA amps. Dependable, LOW!!!! maintenance and they don't eat your $$ tubes.
Been there pal!
charles
CJ went from the CAV -50 to this new product. For 3695 now instead of 2495 you get the same four EL-34 outputs but now three tubes driving them instead of five. No cage and transformer cover on the new model cut costs too. Also no more EPL loop. I don't know if the new one offers both triode and ultralinear modes like the old one which required a simple internal rewire. Someone asked why make a tube amp like this with the tubes sticking up- because the tubes dissipate heat better. It was good enough for the Citations......
Nice pics!
.l. And I agree with Abe and others than not have a remote makes it a non-starter.
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich ...
The one advantage is that for tube rollers it is much easier to replace the tubes. With my OTO I have to take all the screws out - remove the top replace the tubes - put the top back on and screw the screws back in. Time is saved though as I don't have to bias it. But still - I like the exposed tubes and a simple tube cage that you can put on top.
Is heat dissipation.
ET
... Maybe the amp is generating too much heat in the first place. But apart from that, good layout and case ventilation can take care of the problem.
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich ...
yeah but that is a bit overstated - if the top of the amp has air holes and you allow enough space you should be ok. Although your point is well taken. With the OTO is covered but used pretty "cool" tubes in EL84s. You'll notice their 211 base amps are all showing because those get quite hot. So I think the tube type will largely dictate some of this.
As I get older and also use more streaming media I find the need for a remote a MUST.
#1) Does it come with a remote control?
If YES, then question #2. If NO, then see my opinion linked below.
#2) How much does it cost?
not sure why a remote for an amp is warranted?
Because once I sit down to listen to an album, I end up with the company of one or both of my dogs in the listening chair. If I don't have the volume right, I have too much rearranging to do to make adjustments.
"not sure why a remote for an amp is warranted?"- Because many people want them for various reasons already mentioned.
- Because they're not expensive for the manufacturer to include and it's not exactly rocket science (per inmate airtime ).
- Because we no longer live in the stonge age.
- Because I will not buy a control amp, integrated amp, preamp, or linestage w/o a remote.... at least for Volume/Mute.
- Because many others feel the same way.
For me not having a remote these days is an:
Edits: 07/02/16
I agree Abe.
No remote in this day and age is akin to not putting A/C or cruise control in a new car or truck - DUMB!
For the poster that thinks it's unnecessary in a amp - It's a integrated amp not just a amp. It has a preamp section, source selector, AND a volume control knob........
All that aside; I wander how it compares sound wise with offerings from Rogue, Audio Research, Ayon, and others.
Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
or we could get up off our collective fat asses and turn a knob
True. And... we can also live in the stone age if we want to. ;-)Some folks just feel very strongly that any modern preamp, integrated, control amp, or linestage should come standard with a remote control. I'm in that camp.
Edits: 07/03/16
The cost of adding the remote board is minimal considering the overall price. If I can get a remote controlled volume board as a hobby person for $110 then I'm sure they can get them a LOT cheaper. It just isn't rock science to put one in.
Because I am getting old and lazy, plus it is nice to set volume from the sweet spot, and change inputs, without getting up.
And of course muting when the phone rings.
For me, a remote is essential for V.C.
Agreed, no remote not interested.
Joe
At least CJ is trying to cater to the entry level buyer by providing less while trying to keep prices down.
ARC appears to have given up on entry level entirely.
The Foundation Series, PH-9, LS-28, DAC-9, was introduced at Munich and is half the price of the latest Reference equipment. A new power amp will be coming this fall as part of this series.
ARC will introduce a new series of less expensive components later in the year. Most likely in the $4-5K range.
I would say ARC is doing an excellent job of developing products at a variety of price points. For some even the entry level components will be too expensive but that has always been the case with ARC.
ARC will introduce a new series of less expensive components later in the year. Most likely in the $4-5K range.
That's great. But based on a current snapshot of ARC products on their website, my comment about them abandoning the entry level stands. We'll wait and see what the future has to offer.
ARC has not abandoned anything. They will come out with gear later in the year that is less expensive than the Foundation Series. For the moment the cost of acquisition is rather steep.
Whether or not any individual considers the price point of the new series yet to be introduced entry-level is a personal call. Frankly at $4-5K I would not call that entry level for the hobby just entry-level for ARC.
Successful companies do not try to be all things to all people. ARC has always been interested in producing SOTA equipment at their respective price points. One will always be able to find less expensive equipment.
I get what you're saying but as of TODAY, ARC has in fact abandoned the mid to entry-level audiophile market per what is on their website TODAY and what can be purchased from them TODAY.
If they do in fact come out with something in the future in the $4K - $5K range I may have a change of heart.
Abandon means: to leave completely and finally; forsake utterly; desert:, etc. Brexit comes to mind as an example of what the word abandon means. This is not what ARC has done. Quite the contrary.
The facts are ARC discontinued virtually their entire product line at the end of last year. The REF amps continued and the new REF6 line stage, the REF DAC and the VSi75 integrated. It takes time to bring out new products.
Because their are no entry level components for a 9-12 month period does not mean they are giving up on that end of the market. What it most likely means is the upper end of the market is what drives the company so they focused on those new products first. Then the mid-level components, the Foundations Series, and finally we will see a less expensive group of components.
A severe position was postulated and I merely brought some facts to the discussion.
Unfortunately for some it does not matter how many facts are brought to a discussion they will continue in their uninformed position.
Don't take my word for it. Call your local ARC dealer. Or call ARC. They will be happy to tell you what is going on. But I don't think that is what the discussion is really about more likely just some fun ARC bashing.
I'm thinking ARC's strategy of exclusively going after the 'Lamborghini' buyers is not going to work out for them.
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
Just basic human nature requires some shred of hope. Starting prices at a level that you need to be trust fund baby or a CEO limits your interest in even looking. Eventually you just stop looking all together. I can think of a half dozen brand names that when I see them I really don't even give them a second thought.
.
Funny, I never use remotes on amps and could care less if they're included.
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
I'm there.
Its the rebirth of the old CAV 50. Same passive line stage, EL34 etc. It was one of their best values IMO. I'm sure this is nice and more than the 50 which was about 2495 at the turn of the century as I recall.
ET
Not actually hearing THIS amp but other CJ products my opinion is they like a clean natural open sound. Very transparent in tonal quality
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: