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Review 1 of 12
Price Paid:
$2379.00
from Audiogon Summary:
Well, well, well. Now having the 17 LS brings me to what music is all about. Before I could really get to know this gear I had to get the system in prime shape. First things first. D5, Kontact,and then Pro gold. Then the most important tweek, RCA caps from top to bottom(MCM in one.com 89 cents each. Some Bozo on Audiogon was selling these for $5.00 a pair) Now the system has integrity. The CJ has great build quality and it is over sized to be show cased. Not to be stuck in a rack, it won't fit anyway. It is to be sat on top or on table. I have mine on a table made out of solid black walnut. Real handsome piece to look at!
Right away I noticed the tone. This was scary. It's been a long time since I heard this kind of realism. Then came the soundstage, this is by far the most impressive. My Mags(3.6r) came to life then I was drawn in further and further.
Then came time to test the 17LS with my reference stuff. First up on digital was Mycoy Tyner, Land of the Giants. The CJ bought it full cirlcle. This will bring out the best in a system as well as its shortcomings! Then came Marc Antoine, Modern Times. This is well recorded and very demanding on dynamics. This is a complicated CD. One of my favorites. This CD is one of few I can listen from start to finish every time its in a session! Next up was Bob James Trio, Take it from the top. I love this CD. By far, in my humble opinion, is the best BJ has done! Execellent songs, great band, real serious recording. The final digital stop is Renee Olstead, self title. Hard to believe she was just 14 when she recorded this. All standards that will test any system. The tone has to be right, otherwise it is not fun to listen to and fatique sets in real quick! Not with the CJ. All of the tracks blended well together. Especially at low volumes...
On to vinyl. First up, Chick Correa, My Spanish Heart. You have to be there to believe it! Then is was Patricia Barbara, Cafe Blue. This should be in every collection. I have a half speed master. Cherry Mint ofcourse. Hard to imagine that it could be better than SACD. It is. By leaps and bounds. Hard not to listen to every track over and over again.
Finally, Joe Sample, Carmel. This is truly an amazing recording. I heard Joe humming in the backround, and his breath was right in front of me! Very suttle, and real. This recording was miked in a simple configuration but very demanding. If not played with a quality set up, the players are smeared on top of each other. Not so with the CJ. The players were easy to pin point and Joe's playing was from center to right center on just about all the tracks. Pretty nice set up.
The 17LS is a winner and deserves its props! The cat I bought it from, told me it far exceeds the ARC Reference 2. He was pissed to let the CJ go! This says alot about the 17LS. I love ARC gear. As a matter of fact, I was considering the LS25. I am so glad I went with the CJ!
Great tube pre amps are not inexpensive. I remember my first CJ pre amp back in 82'. I couldn't believe this small box cost $700! After I hooked it up and took a listen, then I said yeah ok.
The LS retailed for $4500 its cousin, the LS2 retails at about 6k. Having bought this on the used market, I did good. On the other hand, I would have definately went out and spent retail as well. Not for the LS2. I heard it's not that big of a difference.
In addition too. You have to have the right gear. Do not play around with this. Any weak link will be disasterous! Strengths:
Tone
Tmbre
Sounstage
Realism
Detailed
Well designed remote
Weaknesses:
Some say the clicking is a shortcoming, not I!!! Similar Products Used:
Krell
ARC
Music Fidelity
Mark Levinson
Ayre
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