Thread: Conrad Johnson ART 300s

Well, they are here and running. Only 10 or so hours on them at this point.

I'm not sure if it's the KT150s as some have stated in other amplifiers, or, a combination of the power supply along with the KT150s, but these Amps have a substantially heavier low end. I noticed it after only minutes of listening.

The 300s sound great already. I was pretty worried about taking a chance on these. At this point I'd say they meet or exceed the Art monos in all aspects.
The ART Monos had been my all time favorite amplifiers, they have been replaced for sure by the 300s. Although the Monos were a bit prettier to look at. I'm not letting these 300s go.

They heat output is however also very similar to the ART Monos. Silly me thinking that half the number of tubes might make a tad less heat. But on the other hand I'd grown accustomed to the Monos heat output, and Winter is on the way.

Ray,

I am glad you are happy. There's no need to worry about taking a chance on CJ, all their gear is spectacular. I am sure these new ART 300s are amazing.


Congratulations. You lucky dog.

Ray, they look gorgeous and I bet they sound even better. Paired with your GAT2, has to be a magical combination.

Bump!

Ray ......


I need an update. How is everything sounding? How are the new amps?

Originally Posted by joeinid

Bump!

Ray ......


I need an update. How is everything sounding? How are the new amps?

Thanks for the prompt. I've been planning to write something. Only problem being, I'm no writer and I've never even played one on the weekends. I know what I like/dislike, but putting it into written words is another matter altogether.

I was struck by the glowing reviews of the GAT/ART Mono combination over the past years. The Meitner/GAT/ART Monos/20.7s were by any measure the best sound I've ever heard. To my feeble ears, absolutely wonderful...and to think it only took me 25 years of me$$ing around with all the various parts and pieces to get there!

I'd have been happy with the above combo for as along as I'm blessed to be around to listen. Four years with nary a tweak? What? I've been receiving notices from Audiophile.org that I'd better start pi$$ing away some $$ again on stuff else I risk expulsion from the originazation. The last notice mentioned that all I had to do was purchase some Audiophile fuses, and I could remain in good standing for another year.

So along come the ART 300s . I initially ignored them totally as I'd never be happier with any combo of stereo pieces. As the few months went by I started looking a bit deeper. Hum, KT150s. a dab more power, maybe a bit less heat... but fewer tubes..mmm

My biggest worry was doing a "sideways upgrade". (yea, I've done those several times over the years, spend a pile of $$ and end up where you started, less the $$ of course)

And then I'm worried, what if they don't sound as good as the ART Monos? Oh my. Against my own better judgement I took the plunge....

Well, the good news is I could not be happier. I trust my ears, but, I also trust my ears to deceive me. I've had initial listening sessions with new gear and came away with WOW WOW WOW. Only to realize after a bit more time that the WOW WOW WOW was in fact Oh no Oh no Oh No.

The bass on the ART300s is dramatically improved over the ART Monos. It's noticeable immediately. It's not deeper, or increased, it's simply has dramatically more weight. You get this out right out of the gate. And then to make matters even better, the upper low end/mid is somehow improved. (Remember, I'm no writer, so here's where a writer would find words to describe this)
All I can say is that male voices, e.g. Knopfler, Leonard Cohen etc.... have never sounded better. Just when I thought I'd heard every bit of gravel in Cohen's voice... wait there's more.

The higher end on these amps seems very similar if not identical to the ART Monos. No doubt golden ear'd reviewers will dissect the 300's higher octaves better than I ever could.

My absolute make or break aspect has always been sound stage, placement, depth and width. Without these I lose interest very quick. The 300s seem to somehow yet improve on what was already a magical presentation that the Monos did. I simply don't know how to put it into words.

Once again I'm just amazed on how good this "stereo thing" can be. For me, the CJ gear is my cup of tea. Heaven knows I've not heard even a small percentage of all the great products out there. I do absolutely know that I've not often been happier with a purchase. (well, there was that time years ago when I bought that GAT )

Considering I've only maybe 50 hours or so on these.. phew, be still my heart.

Oh Ray, I am so happy for you. CJ is my cup too. This is killing me.

Originally Posted by joeinid

Oh Ray, I am so happy for you. CJ is my cup too. This is killing me.

Only one way to scratch that itch Joe

Ha! Troublemaker.

I started reading the owners manual last night just to see what's said. I saw this and was surprised. “If the tubes are over two years old, or have more than 1,500 hours on them, a complete replacement tube set is probably in order”. I guess squeezing all that power out of the KT150s takes its toll. The way I listen, I'd be changing tubes every 3-4 months. Ugh! I think ARC is similar.

Originally Posted by cmalak

Only one way to scratch that itch Joe

Originally Posted by joeinid

Ha! Troublemaker.

I started reading the owners manual last night just to see what's said. I saw this and was surprised. “If the tubes are over two years old, or have more than 1,500 hours on them, a complete replacement tube set is probably in order”. I guess squeezing all that power out of the KT150s takes its toll. The way I listen, I'd be changing tubes every 3-4 months. Ugh! I think ARC is similar.

Oh yea, that remains the catch with Tubes. I was up over 1000 hours on the ART Monos. The KT120s still tested fine but I'd been planning to replace them at 1500 or so.
The heat output as mentioned is similar or possibly a tad higher with the KT150s. (although I'm in a much bigger room now so it's less of an issue than it used to be)
The only good news on this front is that you've got fewer tubes to buy/replace. The cost of 150s seems almost double that of KT-120s, so even the cost will be similar.

Bottom line is as with I guess all big Valve based amplifiers.. ya gotta pay to play.

..but Joe, that itch, that itch... that burning itch.

You did good Ray.

I do have plenty of this, thank you very much!

Originally Posted by Rayooo

Oh yea, that remains the catch with Tubes. I was up over 1000 hours on the ART Monos. The KT120s still tested fine but I'd been planning to replace them at 1500 or so.
The heat output as mentioned is similar or possibly a tad higher with the KT150s. (although I'm in a much bigger room now so it's less of an issue than it used to be)
The only good news on this front is that you've got fewer tubes to buy/replace. The cost of 150s seems almost double that of KT-120s, so even the cost will be similar.

Bottom line is as with I guess all big Valve based amplifiers.. ya gotta pay to play.

..but Joe, that itch, that itch... that burning itch.

yea but no anti-itch remedy will keep you in good standing with the Audiophile gods.

Hahahahahaha!

Originally Posted by Rayooo

yea but no anti-itch remedy will keep you in good standing with the Audiophile gods.

ya but that warm glow.. admit it, you're missing it. DSC_9629.JPG

He is Ray. He is.


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I am, sad face

Originally Posted by Rayooo

ya but that warm glow.. admit it, you're missing it.

Originally Posted by Mike

He is Ray. He is.


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Originally Posted by joeinid

I am, sad face

MY GOD!!!

What a beautiful amp

Mark,

They absolutely are stunning to my eye. CJ holds a special place in my

Originally Posted by MDP

MY GOD!!!

What a beautiful amp