Price Paid:  $1895.00 from Stereo Shop, Hartfor

Summary:
A previous reviewer wrote, "This preamp stole my heart." Perfectly put. It stole mine in 1993 and has never failed me or the music. Fast but never harsh, lively but never glaring, layers and soundstages in an entirely natural way, warm only in the way that human voices and acoustic instruments are warm. What more could one ask? Well, maybe a Premier 17 someday! Until then you can listen to my PV11 if you wish, but you can't take it away. I note that the two negative reviewers bought used units at remarkably low prices, especially considering they bought from dealers. Makes one wonder what the dealers knew, and didn't tell them, about the damaged goods. A new PV11 was a gift from the audio gods. Knowingly selling a damaged used one was a crime against the audio gods. Especially sad that one victim refused c-j's offer to repair his because he thought it would take too long. He needed a complete diagnostic and it was over the holidays, what else did he expect? I'm sure c-j would have done a fine job, or honestly told him if it wasn't worth it. Too bad he never gave them a chance. 5.1? 6.1? 7.1? 15.1? Yeah, sure. Maybe once c-j figures out how to stuff that many tubes into a chassis. Until then, my PV11 and two Nautilus 803's will do very nicely. After ten years my PV11 is still performing remarkably. Next step? Supplement my old but sturdy SAE 200w/ch amp with a c-j MV-60 or Premier 11a and biamp the Nautilus. S/S control for the bass plus c-j tubes for the mids/highs. Come on over and enjoy!

Strengths:
Makes music, not sound Can make me cry Can't bear to turn it off

Weaknesses:
They stopped making them Can still make me cry Really can't bear to turn it off

Similar Products Used:
Had a Phase Linear 4000 (really!) from 1975 until it died in 1993 Demoed Adcom and Sonographe S/S preamps at home before trying the PV11, gave them back without any regrets.

Price Paid:  $1895.00

Summary:
This is a great preamp. CJ customer service is top shelf, and anyone who thinks otherwise has simply never called them. I bought this pre used from the original owner 3 years ago, and I have yet to find a pre that could best it. Cheers

Strengths:
Quiet, clean, superbly detailed and musical, perhaps the best non- Premiere CJ pre ever.

Weaknesses:
It was replaced by the PV-12

Similar Products Used:
PV-10AL, AI Modulus 3A, BAT VK3i, VK5i, Rogue 66.

Price Paid:  $650.00 from used

Summary:
This review is on the CJ PL- 11 linestage preamp, while I must say I am a CJ fan in fact I think the best amp I ever owned was the premier 11a, the pre is a piece of junk, the sound on the unit was good but I had it for 1 year, in that time I had to have it repaired 4 times by CJ it is a weak product and a poor unit from such a great company, if you are considering a CJ preamp don’t! I would recommend you to keep looking as I said this unit sounded excellent had great bass and treble but broke down more than a yugo, and had less miles than a yugo.i spent over $1200 having it repaired in a year.i would not recommend this unit only because of the repairs

Strengths:
looks

Weaknesses:
build

Similar Products Used:
arc 9sp,quicksilver,dynaco e,ml aerius,rega planet mac amp,cj amp etc.

Price Paid:  $700.00

Summary:
i bought this unit from a highend dealer in philly he let me have it for $700 and a old pioneer elite cd player,at first i thought it looked good and sounded ok,but after a while i realize i made a mistake,i have owned several cj amps in the premier series but never owned a cj preamp,i wanted this one to match my cj 11 amp,first couple of days i noticed the sound as flat almost generic sounding,no life at all i tried different tubes but that did not help,i did notice that it took over 3 minutes for any sound to come out when turned on,i realize tubes must warm up but this seemed extra long ,i had read on the boards of several other people having this same problem,all that aside the sound is pitiful to say the least,and cj is no help at all i read that their customer service is great ,what a laugh.i was told if i sent it back in nov 2000 i would not see it til feb 2001 or longer,plus the help on the phone was useless,in side by side listening test this unit fell miserably,i hope this is a one in a millon unit and i feel bad to rank it so low but i would warn all that consider it to be careful,also i have sold my cj tube amp because i no longer feel i can trust cj service,this unit was used with the following a cj tube amp premier 11,a micromega cd player.,ml logans krell d/a converter krell power amp

Strengths:
sound,looks reputation

Weaknesses:
piece of junk,poor quality build

Similar Products Used:
arc sp9,mac 34v, audioble illusion 3a

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from audio excellence, richmond hill ont.

Summary:
This preamp takes the edge off of CD's and makes the whole experience easier on the ears. Much like a live classical performance the soundstage is slightly diffused but easy on the ear. Slightly softens transients. Great bass and bloom which adds some body to CD's but not to an extreme. Very quiet . After my Audio Research SP9 and counterpoint 1000, I though all tube preamps were a bit noisey but not the Conrad Johnson PV11. If you have a solid state system you might be amazed at what transformation a good tube preamp can do to the sound. You are more drawn into the sound rather than having it in your face. The sound is just more natural. Bought the preamp used for $1,500. CAD.
The treble and mid range are excellent but in a different way from solid state. This preamp will become a classic!

Strengths:
Always enjoyable, excellent bass and bloom to most records, excellent phono section, quiet

Weaknesses:
slightly diffused soundstage, upper bass/ lower mid range slightly recessed

Similar Products Used:
Macintosh C712, Classé 5, Bryston 11b, Audio research SP9, Counterpoint 1000