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  1. #1
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    Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    I'm thinking about getting a new control amp (integrated) for one of my desktop computers and saw this little baby. I want a little better sound when I surf and I think this would be great.

    Here is a nice review:

    http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/con...ted-amplifier/






    Specifications

    Power
    45 watts per channel RMS both channels driven into 4 ohms from 30Hz to 15kHz at no more than 1.5% total harmonic distortion or intermodulation distortion.

    Small Signal Distortion

    less than .1% at mid-band

    Frequency Response

    20Hz to 20 kHz +0/-.5 dB

    Hum and Noise

    100 dB below rated power output

    Phase

    speaker output is phase correct

    Input Impedance

    100 kOhms

    Dimensions

    13.375”D x 17.375″W x 6.625″H

    Net Weight

    42 lbs.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by joeinid; August 15, 2018 at 07:30 PM.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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  2. #2
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Fun! I know you’ve always been a big CJ fan. Can’t wait to see what you decide.


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    Sean

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  3. #3

    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    I'd say............................ Get It!
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  4. #4
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Joe.......How will you feed a signal to the CJ amp? Does your computer have a dedicated sound card with clean analog outputs, or will you be feeding the amp from the typical computer mini-jack output of the motherboard? It seems to me that if you are not feeding the CJ amp with a clean quality signal your efforts are a bit overkill. If you don't have a dedicated sound card, you may want to consider some decent power speakers instead, something like a pair of Audioengine 5+ powered bookshelf speakers.

    https://www.needledoctor.com/Audioen...&custcol125=25

    I'm not trying to discourage you from a Conrad-Johnson integrated amplifier purchase, just encouraging you to ensure your audio signal is worth the extra cost.
    Dan

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  5. #5
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Hi Dan,

    Ha! Those Audioengine speakers are way too practical.

    I'd be using a USB dac via an RCA out to the CJ integrated. Overkill for sure, but I like to have music playing and this would be an excuse to get back into CJ in smaller way with some EL34 tubes. I love the way it looks and can imagine it being a spectacular piece.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

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  6. #6
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    We are going to have to talk.

    Quote Originally Posted by Rayooo View Post
    I'd say............................ Get It!
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  7. #7
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    You may want to consider a used Hegel H160 integrated. It sounds great and has a good built in DAC. You can pick them up for about $1800 used. A Peachtree Nova and Nuprime gear with built in DAC's are also worth a look although I can certainly understand wanting to go with CJ. That CJ integrated is a beautiful piece.
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  8. #8
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    You may want to consider a used Hegel H160 integrated. It sounds great and has a good built in DAC. You can pick them up for about $1800 used. A Peachtree Nova and Nuprime gear with built in DAC's are also worth a look although I can certainly understand wanting to go with CJ. That CJ integrated is a beautiful piece.
    That’s basically my reasoning. Kind of missing that sound.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  9. #9
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    He reads the post and thinks to himself, I wonder how a CJ preamp would sound with the XA25. He decides not to write anything though as it's not practical for the application posted about
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  10. #10
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Ha!

    That’s going through my mind too but one step at a time
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  11. #11
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Nah Joe, Put the Ref10 and Luxman in there. There is no such thing as overkill ...
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  12. #12
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    Re: Conrad-Johnson CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier ....

    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

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