NEW !!! conrad-johnson CA150 Control Amplifier

While my nearly 30 year old gear does have as good and better specifications than this gear, despite opinions and preferences and pronouncements by some, the fact is this gear is less able to replicate a waveform per MEP than in his opinion entry level gear from 30 years ago.

Therefore, its specs are not that good are they?

All I am doing is making a simple point about specifications and not asking or seeking advice from anyone on how it sounds. Or an attack on gear designed by Erno Borberly and in conjuction with another well known and respected audio high end designer.
 
nfnc said:
They are functionally the same, afaik? ASR Emitter also markets their amps as control amplifiers.

Is is the absence of an active line stage, ie, passive pre? Or do they control the gain? The reference to the Burr-Brown VC seems to suggest not.

If so, most of the integrateds in the market with a passive pre section are also "control amplifiers".... :confused: Marketing indeed :thumbup:
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I think the reason for the ASR Emitter's distinction is because they are using two separate (external) power supplies. One for the input stage which is a battery PS (preamp) and the other for the output (amplifier). Quite different than the typical "integrated", it offers the basic benefits but adheres to the basic guidelines of truly having separate components.
 
Elescher said:
I think the reason for the ASR Emitter's distinction is because they are using two separate (external) power supplies. One for the input stage which is a battery PS (preamp) and the other for the output (amplifier). Quite different than the typical "integrated", it offers the basic benefits but adheres to the basic guidelines of truly having separate components.
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Not to derail this thread but ASR has 2 versions. Exclusive with battery power supply for the pre section. Non exclusive versions do not have the battery power supply. For both versions, the power supply is external.
 
True. Especially if you condider that the Krell 400xi, with more power, better build quality and better specs, used to cost $2500. Sadly, hi-end prices are going up almost daily.
 
Welcome to the forum Marco, thank you for joining.

The amp from which this is based is getting great reviews so I expect nothing less.
 
joeinid said:
Welcome to the forum Marco, thank you for joining.

The amp from which this is based is getting great reviews so I expect nothing less.
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Thank you for the welcome. Can you point me in the direction of the MF 2275 reviews. I haven't been able to find too much. I have the older MF 2250. I wonder how the CA150 might compare. My goal is downsizing from separates (Premier 12's and 16) without loosing too much. Also considering picking up a used CA200 for about $1k less. Decisions, decisions.
 
I had heard the CA200 was the cars meow and it is what Mr Conrad (or Johnson) used at his home. Same topology as the beloved Pr350 amp. Not sure what changed to the new version.
 
Dpod4 said:
I had heard the CA200 was the cars meow and it is what Mr Conrad (or Johnson) used at his home. Same topology as the beloved Pr350 amp. Not sure what changed to the new version.
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Well i just bought the CA200 that was listed on A'gon:happy: so I guess I'll find out at least how it compares to my Premier 16 and 12's. Put my babies for sale last night, so I hope I won't be disappointed.:S
 
marco1 said:
Well i just bought the CA200 that was listed on A'gon:happy: so I guess I'll find out at least how it compares to my Premier 16 and 12's. Put my babies for sale last night, so I hope I won't be disappointed.:S
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Well the CA200 arrived and my Pr. 16 and 12's are gone. I was very hesitant about this move but I must say that the CA200 is so much more than I expected. It's CJ all the way with that beautiful mid-range that they are known for. It's more extended than the Pr. combo it replaced and so much faster than the 12's. Bass is of course punchier than the 12's and the one thing that I feared would suffer, soundstage, is there in spades. Wide and deep with the holographic appeal that I thought I could get only with tubes.

It unfortunately arrived with a problem in the right pre-out, so I'm dropping it by CJ (I live close) for the seller and I've gotten a refund. Question now is do I buy it back after its fixed or maybe step up to the new teflon solid-state amps. Or maybe even jump ship to Pass. That XP10 and X150.5 look very appealing. My Pr. 15 will help retain some of the tube warmth, although the CA200 seems to be as warm and inviting as the tube combo it replaced. More decisions. When I finally thought I would simplify things a bit, it seems I'm right back into that what if.....conundrum of our wonderful hobby:rolleyes:
 
marco1 said:
Well the CA200 arrived and my Pr. 16 and 12's are gone. I was very hesitant about this move but I must say that the CA200 is so much more than I expected. It's CJ all the way with that beautiful mid-range that they are known for. It's more extended than the Pr. combo it replaced and so much faster than the 12's. Bass is of course punchier than the 12's and the one thing that I feared would suffer, soundstage, is there in spades. Wide and deep with the holographic appeal that I thought I could get only with tubes.

It unfortunately arrived with a problem in the right pre-out, so I'm dropping it by CJ (I live close) for the seller and I've gotten a refund. Question now is do I buy it back after its fixed or maybe step up to the new teflon solid-state amps. Or maybe even jump ship to Pass. That XP10 and X150.5 look very appealing. My Pr. 15 will help retain some of the tube warmth, although the CA200 seems to be as warm and inviting as the tube combo it replaced. More decisions. When I finally thought I would simplify things a bit, it seems I'm right back into that what if.....conundrum of our wonderful hobby:rolleyes:
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Marco, I'm lost on a number of fronts: :huh:

1) If you used the CA-200, to replace your separates; why were you using the pre-outs??

2) If you liked it that much; why didn't you and the seller, agree for him to pay for the repair (as opposed to a return)? And why are you thinking of jumping to Pass?

I mean, Pass is great; but you've been a C-J guy...seemed to have loved the CA-200 (and for good reason). Why not get it back??
 
+1

The CA200 is a wonderful integrated and I'd take that over the combo you mentioned Marco.

Plus living so close to CJ is an awesome resource. I would go crazy to have that available. They will fix it and make sure that it's perfect.


CDLehner said:
Marco, I'm lost on a number of fronts: :huh:

1) If you used the CA-200, to replace your separates; why were you using the pre-outs??

2) If you liked it that much; why didn't you and the seller, agree for him to pay for the repair (as opposed to a return)? And why are you thinking of jumping to Pass?

I mean, Pass is great; but you've been a C-J guy...seemed to have loved the CA-200 (and for good reason). Why not get it back??
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So Chris, any update on the C-J 2550SE? You have piqued my interest in this piece.
 
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