Pre-amp/DAC for JOB 225

I ordered a new preamp for the Job pairing. The W4S STP-SE wasn't working for me; kinda flat at the lower listening levels so the passive attenuation was, ultimately, less effective than my Oppo 105 direct solution. I also had an elevated speaker hiss with the W4S. Troubleshot withe the great folks a W4S but no fix. Otherwise, the STP-SE had dead silent mechanical operation.
I am going with a Van Alstine Fet Valve CF preamp. I spoke the Frank Van Alstine and this preamp has a 6db output reduction button on the front. I have this standard feature in reserve but one of the great things about his products is the custom touches. He is going to add a voltage splitter on the preamp output for me. This will provide two benefits with the Job high sensitivity design specs: 1. reduce the voltage sent to the amp 2. increase the signal to noise ratio (I hope I interpreted Frank's comments correctly here). I should have this unit in about one month. Also, I am extremely happy to get a tube preamp with phono in the mix. I have never owned or heard the Van Alstine gear, anyone out there have one of these preamps. Please let me know what you think.
 
MG8, as you know I wrote a review on the CF on the AC forum. For the money, I don't think that you could have done any better unless you went used and even that is a stretch. While it is not as detailed as my Pass X1 preamp is does some things better. Mainly midrange, overall tone and texture. It has a slightly warmer tone and a definite tube sound which is a departure from his prior hybrid units. Dynamics are very good with this preamp and it presents a wide sound stage with good air and transparency.

And Frank's customer service is second to none.

Congrats and enjoy it!
 
Can't wait for you to get Frank's preamp in your system. He makes great gear.
 
Thanks Gents, That is great positive reinforcement! I was thinking about a used CJ ET3-SE as well, but, chatting with Frank on a Saturday sold me.

That kind of access is the backbone of commerce and I love that (Like-minded, your word is your bond, honest core-values kind of feeling).
 
I was considering buying the AVA CF preamp and I was looking at that used CJ ET3-se on audiogon for a while and even made a bid but the buy never responded back. I guess he did not like my low ball bid. The guy has best offer listed for the preamp so I left room to negotiate. I ended up buying a BAT 51se.
 
Mechnutt - if it's the guy in Tucson, AZ, I have spoken to him. He's a CJ dealer and his customers trade in the ET3's for the ET5 or GAT fairly regularly. His AG prices are firm what I remember but I was really looking for a showroom demo and he didn't have a storefront (if memory serves).
 
Its the same guy. I think my low ball really pissed him off. Because I sent him a PM that I would pay his price but he never responded back. If he was firm on his price, he should not have it also listed as best offer. Its his loss because I would have bought it at the time. But I think that the BAT is a better preamp although I do like the warmer CJ sound.

By the way MG8, I am I.Greyhound on the AC forum!
 
Mechnutt said:
Its the same guy. I think my low ball really pissed him off. Because I sent him a PM that I would pay his price but he never responded back. If he was firm on his price, he should not have it also listed as best offer. Its his loss because I would have bought it at the time. But I think that the BAT is a better preamp although I do like the warmer CJ sound.

By the way MG8, I am I.Greyhound on the AC forum!
Click to expand...


I thought you might be - multitasking all day so, I recognized the references but too much coffee and limited attention span didn't put it all together. Thanks for your PM.
 
Hi all,

is that one of you uses a Red Wine Audio Isabella with 225 job, on paper it seems a good match ?
 
I don't think the Conrad Johnson ET3SE is a good match for the Job (I am listening to the combo right now as I type this). The CJ is a high gain design and I had quite a lot of problems finding tubes that are quiet enough. Even with my quietest tubes, the ET3SE with the Job exhibit fairly loud tube noise. I don't think its anything that will alarm a tube user (especially one with sensitive speakers like horns), but it could be disconcerting enough for some.

Paired with a B.M.C. Pure DAC set at standard output voltage, the ET3 doesn't have much volume play in the range, especially at low listening levels. The Job does sound great though hooked up directly to the B.M.C. For those unfamiliar with the B.M.C., it controls volume by adjusting gain, instead of digital volume control, or a conventional resistive network. The B.M.C. has sufficiently fine steps in its volume. I also tried an Antelope Zodiac Gold in another system. Steps were a bit coarse at very low volumes, but otherwise fine at normal levels.
 
Hi watchdog, I have been using a CJ ET3SE with the Job amp and have been pretty impressed.
I did find the noisy tube problem but ordered in some Rothwell -10dB rca attenuators that has done the trick. Between the CJ and Job.
I am listening now at 33 on the CJ and when I want to turn it up I can get to 40 to 50 on the dial.
The attenuators drop the noise floor a big amount and I no longer hear the tubes with no music playing.
2 of my favourite tubes at the moment is the EAT tube and a Amperex PQ tube.
I did order a Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II Passive Preamp with 2 outputs to try with the Job. 2 outputs so I can try and integrate my sub. Might even try between the CJ and Job.
 
The Axiom II Passive Preamp arrived. The Rothwell attenuators did seem to dull the sound a little while the Axiom has none of these problems.
I have it between the CJ and the Job and its awesome. I can dial the gain in on the fly. I can get my CJ into any volume range I like now. I can put around 50+ if I adjust the axiom.
What a great little device. I ordered mine with as the CADDOCK resistor version with 2 outputs. Now can setup my sub too.
Best device I have brought for a while. Love it.
 
Do not count out the Tortuga LDR, I have one coming any day now and it is suppose to rival (within reason) 20K preamps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top