liu78

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2495.00 from N.Calif-high-end sho

Summary:
The amp I wanted for a long time! I wanted a component with natural sound, yet could still "bring it" when things get loud and rude. It excels with music which is a must considering how much a great soundtrack can add to a film. I won't score it a 5 as there are even better amps out there...but even at full price this amp is a keeper!!! So, give it 4.8 overall at list price. If you can fall into a similar deal to mine then it will easily rate over 5.0.

Strengths:
Natural, smooth sound without harshness. Bass region is fairly good. Very detailed without being in your face. Binding posts are nicely spaced and strong enuff to take a good set on your terminations.

Weaknesses:
Bass a smidghen less than the best I've heard. It's gorgeous...but heavy & awkward! When I'm sliding it around on it's shelf I put those plastic floor protectors (the grey and black ones.} Then, it slides around like it's on roller skates. Be careful that it doesn't get away from you, tho. I guarantee you won't catch it! Also, my other components are black and look positively puny sitting next to the c-j. Now, when I purchased the amp it was on sale back East at a shop for $2500. I visited my local hi-end place and asked how low could they go. They groused about "regions, loyalty etc" and called to show me it was too good to be true. Well, it wasn't...Tors at c-j said they were clearing them out and , yes, he'd be glad to sell me one of the thirteen they had left for the same price. So, I got it locally for $2500 instead of $4000 with full warranty! On the other hand: c-j's website is basically useless-no manuals, schematics or info of any kind for products not in their current line-up. I think that is kinda stingy...

Similar Products Used:
Acurus A-150 amps, Acurus 100x3 amp. Don't hold a candle to the big c-j. They sound harsh and brittle when stacked up against the MF-5600. I listened to Acurus stuff daily for several years before upgrading so I have a good idea of which I speak...that being said I still love my RL-11 and A-150s. I biamp a second system with them......

Price Paid:  $1650.00 from Used

Summary:
A great amplifier for movies or music. I bought based on a review and recommendation from a former owner. The amp sounds much more powerful than the rated specs. The connections are easy to reach and make. This thing is a joy for serious listening. A good value at retail price, an oustanding used value, if in good condition.

Strengths:
Great dynamics Excellent soundstaging Clean, clear sound

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Parasound HCA-806

Price Paid:  $2900.00 from Audio Clasics

Summary:
Other reviewers, magazines got it spot on.. This amp is amazing.. I use it with an Anthem AV20, Red Rose Front channels, B&W centre and Kef 2005's for sub amd side/rears in a second system for a smaller lounge.. It sounds just as good on stereo as surround.. I have tried several cables and currently have settled on Bel S12's and Bel 'The wire' P1 interconnects.. I've have benchamarked it against the Bel 1001 MK4's (stereo/front channels) and recckon this sounds as good and is more practical for lower power + surropund system standpoint. Have also compared it with EAD PM 2000 and 1000 and it certainly is equal to these if your speakers are not too power hungry. The power-off thump is unusual, but you get used to it and it seems to do no harm to componets. The Loudspeaker connections are small, but this is a minor thing as they are at least of a very good quality/build ..

Strengths:
Non Fatiging sound with incredible detail on both stereo and surround

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Ead PM 2000, EAD PM 1000, B&K 7250, Bel 1001 MK 4 (stereo only).

Summary:
This is one great-sounding multi-channel amplifier. If your goal is to achieve audiophile-quality sound from home theater components, this is the unit to buy. I have paired it with the excellent, very neutral-sounding Aragon Soundstage preamp-processor (see my recently-posted review of this unit). This is a dynamite combination. The resulting sound is natural-sounding, very musical and never fatiguing. The soundstage that the pair present is huge. The reviews in The Perfect Vision and Home Theater (rated it 97/100 for performance) magazines got it right. Unless you own power-hungry, extremely inefficient speakers, I doubt that there exists a better-sounding multi-channel home theater amplifier. The sound is clearly superior to the Rotel 985 unit that I previously owned (although that is a very good amplifier). The bass reproduction of my main B&W speakers is notably improved.

Connections are very easy with the provided high-quality speaker binding posts. This unit features a remote turn on circuit which I connected using a $4 Radio Shack cable to my Aragon Soundstage. I can operate my complete system remotely from my sofa. The MF 5600 does make a loud thumping sound when turned on and off (even remotely), but this sound is mechanical and is not transmitted through the speakers. I am told that the build quality of this unit is outstanding. Certainly, the external chassis, finish and connections are of superior quality.

I spoke with the technical support people at Conrad-Johnson several times when I was trying to figure out how to connect the trigger circuit. They are highly responsive, and very friendly (much better than the average technical support group).

I have heard that this unit has not sold well because Conrad-Johnson does not yet market a preamplifier-processor to pair with this unit. Don't let that deter you from auditioning this unit. Paired with a high quality preamplifier-processor like the Aragon Soundstage, listening can be audiophile nirvana!

Strengths:
Audiophile sound quality in stereo and home theater modes; excellent build quality; connection for remote trigger

Weaknesses:
None of any significance

Similar Products Used:
Rotel RB-985

Summary:
"The Perfect Vision" review got it just right - except I never feel that the Conrad-Johnson smoothes things out, but then I do use Nordost cables (Blue Heaven and Red Dawn) throughout. It is the best sounding 5-channel amplifier I have heard which can also be used without excuses for Stereo. I use an EAD Encore HT processor - another great sounding piece (but which is flawed by having no controls on the facsia - everything is on the remote!).
The one flaw(?) with the C-J is the very clunky on/off switch and the power-off thump - neither mentioned in the review. The Loudspeaker connections are also a little close together.