Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) PV14L Preamplifier (Tube) by DWPC

Model:	PV14L
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1995
Description:	Tube Line Stage
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)

Review by DWPC ( A ) on August 01, 2003 at 11:55:50
IP Address: 207.178.211.66

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The C-J PV14L is my return to tubes after over 20 years. I’ve listened to it extensively for about two months; enough to feel it’s fully broken in. The most significant quality of the unit’s sound is its liquidity and “air”; the musicality of tubes that I’d forgotten after two decades of solid state. The tube sound of the PV14L is in no way overbearing or heavy. Rather than coloring sound, it’s more like opening it up. In particular, voices, strings, and reeds gain substance, presence and immediacy. Almost as significant, and perhaps more so to those already attuned to tubes, is the really superb level of detail in the PV14L presentation. The full complexity of orchestral music is deepened by the clarity of individual instruments, even when their relative loudness is substantially different. The effect is even more evident with small ensembles and soloists, imparting superb definition and dimension. There’s no smearing of like tones or washing out of undertones.
Soundstage is excellent, as might be expected with such great musical detail. Each instrument’s location is well focused; even those often heard as heaped somewhere in the center like the violas and woodwinds gain spacial identity. The character of the recording venue becomes much more evident in the airy openness (or its lacking) that this preamp can convey. The C-J exposes layers of intricacy in both music and sound that I’d never heard before on many CDs, while still taming any glariness. Be warned though; your source had better be up to it; this preamp will show the weaknesses in your other gear. It’s also a vivid example for those who’ve never heard the difference a really nice preamp can make in system. And the combination of the C-J’s tube liquidity with my solid-state power amp seems quite well matched; though I admit my tube appetite has been whetted.
To my ears, the frequency response of the PV14L over the full range is very well balanced, with clean, crisp highs and disciplined bass. Its midrange performance is a real standout and really does a gorgeous job on vocals. I’ve read some comments about low end roll-off with the PV14L, but I don’t hear it. Perhaps those remarks were associated with amplified music where “slam” is a high priority, or with a power amp that didn’t match well. I find the C-J’s bass to be amply full and tight for orchestral and acoustic music. Low octaves in organ music effortlessly descend into that visceral range felt in the ribs beyond audible range; even when levels are not particularly high. I haven’t either noticed any deficiency in the PV14L’s handling of movie soundtracks that are heavy with dynamic low-end material.
The PV14L is housed in a 19” wide case with trademark C-J bronze-tone faceplate finish, providing ample space for the seven pairs of RCA inputs on the back. It’s a line stage preamp only…there’s no integral phono stage. The power cord is substantial. Digital volume settings for each channel are easily read from across the room in any light. The red indicator LEDs are a tad on the bright side when the lights are down. There’s a warm-up interval of about thirty seconds when power is switched on during which time the unit is muted and the Power LED flashes. All controls are push-button. A 100-step attenuator with up and down buttons controls level. Volume increases of a few steps are almost imperceptible, but this fine adjustability allows you to precisely zero-in at the level where a particular source blooms best. Level and balance settings stay at the setting where turned off unless the unit is unplugged. There are no tone controls. Oddly though, balance is controlled solely via remote control; there’s no balance control on the faceplate. When held down, the “mute” button on the remote turns the unit on or off. All sources are selectable by remote too. The remote hand unit is small but perfectly adequate. I believe the full function remote control furnished with the PV14L is great asset and am very surprised the market lets so many higher-end manufacturers get away without offering it. One of the seven inputs is a unity-gain circuit for HT that allows use of your main two-channel system with the multi-channel HT receiver controlling volume. Having only two readily available 6C4 tubes, their inevitable replacement will be economical (provided I fight the tube-rolling urge). I do have a couple superficial gripes; there’s no headphone jack, a trigger voltage for the power amp would be nice, and is 19” wide case is a space squeeze.
The PV14L is a great preamp for $2000 and unlikely to be substantially bettered without a much larger outlay. I found none of the preamps in its price range could match its superb detail and smoothness, or glorious midrange. Even the similarly priced AR SP16 line stage placed a distant second, sounding rather plain compared to the PV14L.
Upgrade Note: This review covers the original PV14L. C-J has since upgraded this model with improved components and Mullard tubes.

Product Weakness: No headphone jack
Product Strengths: Tube liquidity isn't overdone; Superb detail; Airiness
Full function remote

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Parasound HCA1500 A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	C-J PV14L
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony DVP-s300 through CI Audio VDA-1 DAC
Speakers:	Vandersteen 3A
Cables/Interconnects:	generic 14/4 biwire; Radio Shack Gold I/C's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical Symphonic and Choral, Opera
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No headphone jack
Product Strengths:	Tube liquidity isn't overdone; Superb detail; Airiness Full function remote