REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

24.191.83.162

Posted on February 3, 2012 at 06:15:43

tamule
Audiophile

Posts: 194
Joined: December 5, 2009

Model:	ET3 - SE
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	4000.00
Description:	single 6922 tube / ss hybrid
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)
Model Picture:	View

Review by tamule on February 03, 2012 at 06:15:43
IP Address: 24.191.83.162 Add Your Review
for the ET3 - SE

After reading the rave reviews I took a 3hr ride to Spearit Sound in Mass. for audition. The CDs I brought were more enjoyable, less fatigueing compared to my solid-state Bryston BP-26. I was sold. My 1st impressions at home after ~6 hrs are terrific. Not missing any trait of the Bryston at all. The detail, impact still there plus realism, bigger stage, harmonically rich mids, more music meat on the bone. I think CJ hit it out of the park with this one- great value,gorgeous sound, no noise,no balanced circuits, and a managable single tube. Nice to be immersed in music again.

Product Weakness:	some may prefer a heftier remote. I actually love this tiny,light plastic one.
Product Strengths:	best of both worlds - tube/ss

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Bryston 3B-sst
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): old Bryston bp-26
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Meridian G08.2 cdp
Speakers: DIY big 3-way design by Troels Graveson
Cables/Interconnects: AQ
Music Used (Genre/Selections): classic rock,jazz, classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 20' x 12' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: absorber panels
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio UPC-200 conditioner
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): n/a

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RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

AbeCollins

14:59:27 02/03/12

3

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

tamule

20:44:37 02/03/12

It's a hybrid

E-Stat

15:05:32 02/03/12

...

Show full thread outline!

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

AbeCollins

14:59:27 02/03/12

3

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

tamule

20:44:37 02/03/12

It's a hybrid

E-Stat

15:05:32 02/03/12

Ditto

unclestu

16:16:54 02/03/12

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

LouGiants

10:34:57 02/03/12

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

tamule

11:03:11 02/03/12

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube), posted on February 3, 2012 at 14:59:27
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46277 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	They gave you only one tube in that CJ linestage?! ;-) Congrats. Now you have the best of both worlds, tube magic and solid-state muscle. I drive my Brystons with a tube linestage and couldn't be happier.

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube), posted on February 3, 2012 at 20:44:37
tamule Audiophile Posts: 194 Joined: December 5, 2009	yes - somehow only 1 tube for the line stage does the trick. You get 3 more with a built in phono stage.

It's a hybrid, posted on February 3, 2012 at 15:05:32
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37555 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	with a MOSFET buffer stage. ET3

Ditto, posted on February 3, 2012 at 16:16:54
unclestu Dealer Posts: 5851 Joined: April 13, 2010	uses an IRF 710 as the mosfet buffer, IIRC. Same mosfet used in their series pass voltage regulators. Stu

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube), posted on February 3, 2012 at 10:34:57
LouGiants Audiophile Posts: 142 Location: Tampa bay Joined: March 20, 2008	Hi Tamule - The CJ is a higher gain pre-amp if I am not mistaken 25db. Any issues that you noticed as far as volume levels - precise? Juest wondering with an Amp that has I think 28db of sensitivity. Thanks!

RE: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube), posted on February 3, 2012 at 11:03:11
tamule Audiophile Posts: 194 Joined: December 5, 2009	Yes Lou . I had to switch the gain setting on the back of the 3B-sst to 2V (-23 dB). The 1V {-29 dB) was too much even at the lowest possible volume of the ET3-SE. The volume goes from dead silent to step 1 with no in-between. I find step 1 volume and -23dB amp gain low enough for any condition. regards, tom

Amp/Preamp Asylum

REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET3 - SE Preamplifier (Tube)

24.191.83.162