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C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium

66.183.90.173
Posted on May 4, 2017 at 12:51:28
Valve36
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Vancouver
Joined: April 29, 2017
 I'm buying a new preamp and I've narrowed it down to these two. Which of the two would you choose and why.

I've owned C-J's in the past, but never PrimaLuna. Also, I'm not much into tube rolling anymore.

 

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    ...
I haven't heard either one, posted on May 4, 2017 at 15:42:54
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13973
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 I cannot imagine, however, that PrimaLuna is even in the same ballpark
as CJ.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

The CAV45 is an amp., posted on May 4, 2017 at 16:26:31
Rick W
 See link.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 4, 2017 at 17:16:50
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Having the CJ Classic 2SE I can't ever see myself looking for another preamp again. I don't know what CJ's you've owned but typically people that get them seem to really like them.

My advice - get a Classic 2SE or the ET3SE with remote.

As for tube rolling. The 6922 needs to be durable. As do most new preamps that drive their tubes hard. So your choices are limited to only a few 6922's anyway. Luckily Gold Lion makes a GREAT 6922 that out lasts the EH by years.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 4, 2017 at 20:55:37
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Valve36, just to try to sort things out a bit... The Conrad Johnson CAV45 is neither solely a preamp nor solely a power amp. In this case, CJ calls the CAV45 a "control amplifier," perhaps because its preamp section is passive. In any case, it functions as an integrated amp would, again neither solely a preamp nor solely a power amp.

The name "Prologue Premium" describes more than one type of product offered by Prima Luna.

Are you looking for an integrated amp, a preamp or a power amp?

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 4, 2017 at 21:00:55
Tidycat1
 I am a long-time PL fan.That being said,I would choose PL for an amp or integrated.I have not been as impressed by their pre(s).
CJ makes solid preamps (SQ and build).
Had you considered a Wyetech Opal??

 

One on Craigslist: North Carolina, posted on May 5, 2017 at 04:22:09
Robert J
 If you live near the seller, worth saving a Grand!

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 04:41:31
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Here ya go!

 

Not really, posted on May 5, 2017 at 07:44:30
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Not that I wouldn't like to try one. But as I said I'm so happy with the CJ Classic 2SE that at this point I can't see changing it out.. As well as the expense at this point in my audio life.

The Classic so SO transparent it's creepy. I tried a few other preamps a few years ago and holy cow. That IS when you realize how good that CJ really is.

I want my preamp to add nothing but gain. And the CJ does exactly that. It's like using a stepped attenuator only with a buffer and gain if you want it.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 11:44:31
Valve36
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Vancouver
Joined: April 29, 2017
 Thanks for the feedback everybody. I've decided to go with the CAV45 control amp.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 13:42:17
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Good move!

 

Agreed, posted on May 5, 2017 at 15:41:26
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 REALLY looking forward to hearing your review. CJ makes some GREAT stuff.

Addendum: if they offer a teflon cap upgrade GET IT!!!

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 16:17:59
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Don't forget to pickup an aftermarket remote control for your CJ. Enjoy! ;-)



 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 16:42:38
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 That's cold Abe!

Only kidding. I built a stepped attenuator with remote that goes between the preamp and source.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 16:55:42
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Sounds like a good idea. I wonder if one would set the Volume pot to maximum on the CAV-45 as it uses a passive input. An outboard remote controlled attenuator might work nicely with the CAV-45.



 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 5, 2017 at 17:44:35
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I'm using the GoldPoint 25k stepped attenutor with a Bent Audio remote kit adaptor. IMHO it has no effect on the music. I've tried it a dozen times with and without - and no difference.

I set the stereo to just a tad over normal listening level. Then I have the attenuator at almost full. I'm using the attenuator for basically small level changes between stations and some tunes I like.

It's working out very well.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 6, 2017 at 22:27:17
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 Nice! I've always wanted a used CAV50, but the lack of remote woulld be hard for me.

I recently bought a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, which I love, but there's something magical to me about CJ gear, and I bet those EL34s will be perfect in that amp.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

Best preamp I ever had . . ., posted on May 6, 2017 at 22:41:46
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 Was the CJ Premier 17LS (version 1). I miss it very much, but it was finicky. A few times it blew the rail fuses in my CJ MF2250 power amp when I switched sources with the remote, and once when I hit the HT button. CJ tried their darndest to isolate the problem but couldn't. Sob, wimper, sniff. It sounded so good! But had to let it go.

In the next week or two I'm going to home audition the Rogue Audio Rp-5. At least at the dealer, it brought back memories of the 17LS. And it's less expensive and has an MM/MC phono stage and headphone amp. We'll see. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have their Cronus Magnum II integrated in another system and love it.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 7, 2017 at 07:39:30
Valve36
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Vancouver
Joined: April 29, 2017
 LOL re:,the picture of the "remote"

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 7, 2017 at 07:42:21
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 If you want the plans to a remote add on let me know.

I use a Gold Point 25k stepped attenuator with a Bent Audio remote motor and IR board. The attenuator is about $150 and the remote board is about $120. Got a black plastic box from Radio Shack and it sits between source and preamp. Works great with my CJ preamp.

BTW I love my CJ. They make some wonderful stuff. Their motto "it just sounds right" really does sum up a review of their gear.

 

RE: Best preamp I ever had . . ., posted on May 7, 2017 at 07:46:03
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 That's great, not the blowing up the CJ part but the CM and looking for a new preamp. I always wanted to listen to one. I almost bought one a few years back. Instead I went for the CJ and Latino ST-70 and I am very happy with them.

Give the CJ another look if you're really looking for a preamp. I wish I had the money for the ET3

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 7, 2017 at 07:48:29
Valve36
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Vancouver
Joined: April 29, 2017
 I'm kind of excited about its arrival. Over the years, I really enjoyed my previous C-J preamps: a PV4 and then a 10A.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 8, 2017 at 04:21:51
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 That's a great pic. I almost fell out of my chair - :)

But if you think about it - not actually a bad bloody idea!

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 8, 2017 at 04:24:27
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 That's one gorgeous amplifier - I really liked a second hand tube preamp amp combo I heard recently.

 

RE: C-J CAV45 or PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, posted on May 20, 2017 at 10:49:58
Valve36
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Vancouver
Joined: April 29, 2017
 I fired up the CAV-45 for the first time yesterday. I couldn't be happier. :D

 

Excellent!, posted on May 22, 2017 at 23:29:13
JoshT
Audiophile

Posts: 6622
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Joined: July 4, 2000
 Congrats on your purchase! Enjoy.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

 

RE: Excellent!, posted on May 23, 2017 at 17:39:22
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I will second,

Conrad Johnson
Spearit Sound

 

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