Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) MV-75 Amplifier (Tube) by Bill Way

Model:	MV-75
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$unknown
Description:	conrad johnson's first amplifier, later modified to versions "A" and "A-1"
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bill Way on August 31, 2002 at 14:50:55
IP Address: 207.237.241.224

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Years ago, Walt Bender did a thumbnail review of this piece in TAS, saying something like, "Good midrange, good imaging, decent bass, a little soft on top." He was right on the money. It was also a little noisy, and the "decent" bass was being a little kind. That said, most of the amplifier's problems are errors of omission, so it is easy to live with.
I just rebuilt mine, starting with the parts upgrade kit from Parts Connection (mostly better caps and resistors). Rewired the entire thing with Cardas wire (pain to work with -- beware!) and turned it around so all the connections are under the transformers, which are now at the rear of the amp. Installed hexfred diodes in the power supply, got rid of the power switch so I can keep all the line voltage physically concentrated under the power transformer. New Cardas connectors for input and output, and IEC power connection, and cut down the old face plate to fit across the "new" front of the amp and hide all the old holes. It now resembles a Premier 8, with the tubes exposed and transformers in the back. The "turning around" shortened all signal leads *except* the inputs, for which I used Cardas Quadlink from the RCA connectors to the PCB. Finished up with some 1970's vintage TungSol 6550s, good ceramic tube sockets, RCA 6FQ7 clear tops, and a Pearl Cryovac 5751.
The sound was a surprise: the noise floor disappeared. Astonishing. Bass tightened up dramatically. Highs better articulated and not a hint of grain or smear. This now sounds like a serious high end amplifier. I strongly recommend anyone with one of these old things to upgrade the parts and see what it can really do. It's in New York City - am happy to let anyone who wants come listen.

Product Weakness: Not the nth degree of definition in the highs
Product Strengths: Imaging, glorious midrange, good bottom end

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	this piece
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	VTL Deluxe, modified
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CAL CD, Thorens/Chadwick/Premiere/Sumiko
Speakers:	Spica TC-50
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas, Venhaus
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	everything
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not the nth degree of definition in the highs
Product Strengths:	Imaging, glorious midrange, good bottom end