CJ-ARC or something else

M

Mechnutt

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2013
Messages
1,432
Location
Minnesota
I recently bought a Pass X1 preamp to go with my Pass X250 amp. It replaces my Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid tube preamp which Ihave not sold yet as I am contemplating keeping. While the X1 sounds better in most but not all respects the difference is not that great as I was expecting more. I certainly miss some of the tube sound. The X1 has great transarency but the midrange is a little too airy and transparent. There is not as much texture and fullness to the midrange. Before I bought the X1 I was considering a BAT, CJ Premier 17LS or an ARC LS25 MKII. I would appreciate any thoughts, comments and recommendations on these preamps. I tend to like a sound that is just slightly warmer but not too warm. My budget for a used preamp is $2500. My speakers are Magnepan 1.6's, my source is a Van Alstine Ultra II hybrid tube DAC. My taste in music is eclectic. These days I listen to Vocal Jazz, acoustic, Piano, Blue's, folk and some classical, but I still pull out RR and an occasional country CD.

Thanks,

Larry, freezing in Minnesota!
 
Hey Larry, with respect to your choices the CJ will definitely give you and ounce or two more of warm /euphoric tube magic over the more neutral ARC (which I tend to prefer FWIW). Given your budget I would also consider the recently discontinued ARC LS-26 or as an 'alternative' to the CJ sound you may want to consider Cary Audio also.
 
My vote goes to CJ also. I always come back to and now stay with CJ.
 
Larry, there is also another way to go about this. I have a jonesing for the Ayon gear, but that will be another time for me, for you though, you could listen to an Ayon CD-5s, this has the ability to be a dac/cd/preamp. This has the ability to let you come out even or slightly ahead in money as they come up on the market at frequent intervals. Just another angle & food for thought.
 
Larry, I admit to having a CJ in my systems since 2000 without stop. I have owned 4 pieces from CJ...PV14L, MV60 amp and the ACT 2 and now GAT. That said, I seriously considered and auditioned ARC Ref 3, 5 and 5SE, in addition to considering several others (Shindo, Wavac, Zanden). I think the CJ at your budget of $2500 is an excellent way to go. In fact, on Audiogon, there is an ET3 SE, 17LS Series 2 at $3K (before any price haggling)...and a 17LS at $2000. Good luck!
 
LL21 said:
Larry, I admit to having a CJ in my systems since 2000 without stop. I have owned 4 pieces from CJ...PV14L, MV60 amp and the ACT 2 and now GAT. That said, I seriously considered and auditioned ARC Ref 3, 5 and 5SE, in addition to considering several others (Shindo, Wavac, Zanden). I think the CJ at your budget of $2500 is an excellent way to go. In fact, on Audiogon, there is an ET3 SE, 17LS Series 2 at $3K (before any price haggling)...and a 17LS at $2000. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I saw those preamps along with a BAT. I will need to sell the X1 before i can buy another preamp. I still have to sell the Van Alstine. The X1 should go quickly and I should be able to get the $2K that I dropped on it back.
 
You mentioned BAT the vk5i that is for sale on agon is a great preamp. I ran one for awhile.also in that pricerange used check out Cary slp98 and manley jumbo shrimp.
 
Hi Larry,

I agreed with Dave's recommendation for ARC LS26 preamp.
I use ARC LS27 in my current setup. IMO LS27 has good midrange texture, timbre and liquidity.
I think I'm gonna use LS27 at least for the next 10 years. I already found great preamp that suit my taste.
I believe LS 26 has similar character to LS27 and a used LS26 will meet your budget.
In my country, a used LS26 is around USD2500.
In the past I tried various tube preamps with totally different characters, including CJ PV14L which I think it's too warm for my taste.
 
Petro85 said:
You mentioned BAT the vk5i that is for sale on agon is a great preamp. I ran one for awhile.also in that pricerange used check out Cary slp98 and manley jumbo shrimp.
Click to expand...

My only issue with the BAT is that my source is not balanced and I would have to get RCA to XLR cables. Some of the newer BAT's have both XLR and single ended connectors. I may just sell the X1 and use my Van Alstine until something pops up. Eventually I will upgrade to a balanced DAC or a balanced reference Marantz SACD player.
 
Mechnutt said:
My only issue with the BAT is that my source is not balanced and I would have to get RCA to XLR cables. Some of the newer BAT's have both XLR and single ended connectors. I may just sell the X1 and use my Van Alstine until something pops up. Eventually I will upgrade to a balanced DAC or a balanced reference Marantz SACD player.
Click to expand...
Yes the vk3i I had did both RCA and xlr and had a good phonostage in it.
I see those for sale for under $1000, I loved that pre I may get another one someday just to have one.
BAT amps being only balanced is what crossed em off my list when I was amp shopping. Love my pre too much to give it up.
 
Mike said:
The SLP-05 is a better choice. One of my favorite preamps of all time.
Click to expand...

I heard the slp03 once but the system I heard it in I didn't think was so good, so I couldnt tell . but I agree with Mike the slp05 is more $$ but it's an awesome preamp! When I was in the used market for a pre , only 3 I looked at in the $2k-$4k pricerange were the slp 05, the bat vk32se and the hovland. I only bought the hovland because of the awesome phonostage in it. Otherwise I would probably own the Cary 05.
Cary makes great stuff, I don't think you can go wrong with any of their pres.
Of course my favorite all time preamp is the hovland, that's why I bought one.
The slp05, hovland and 32se are all a bit over your budget. Unless you stretch it. Lol
There are a ton of good used pres out there I only know about the tube pres in that pricerange because I researched em for a year before I finally bought one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top