Price Paid:  $1500.00 from internet

Summary:
I have listened to more expensive audio gear, but I have have never had a better musical experience. When I get ready for perfect audio gear, I will become a million selling writer and purchase something from FM Acoustics. Then I will know I have the best and most perfect audio gear. Until then, I have the best preamp for making me want to vegetate in front of my speakers and just soak up the glorious sound. This is a preamp for music lovers, instead of just those who listen to their gear and suffer from audio nervosa. I have no intentions of ever selling this preamp. I bought 5 extra pairs of tubes to allow me to literally wear it out. It uses a very unusual tube that was never used in the days of classic tube gear as far as audio goes. It's a British military tube that was built to incredibly high standards by Mullard and is quite simply the best 6C4 tube variant that was ever produced. C-J bought up a large supply from the British MOD, and so now we have this wonderful tube preamp for as long as those tubes exist. Those tubes will never go back into production, as the cost would be too high. The build quality of the tubes is quite evident and far better than the RCA 6C4 type I also bought a pair of for comparison.

Strengths:
It just sounds right. Really right.

Weaknesses:
This preamp used a tube that will never be produced again, so buy the preamp and a large supply of the NOS Mullard tubes to keep it running for many years. C-J sold me a matched pair for $42, but Watford Valves has them for much less in unmatched pairs.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing else in this price range that I ever heard can truly compare.

Philco50

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from demo unit

Summary:
Fabulous sound. Very detailed with very little of the old C-J golden tube glow. The sound is very close to neutral and wonderfully detailed and lively. The music pulls you in. Almost entirely free of any listening fatigue. I have heard much more expensive units that sounded no better. Mine has the upgraded NOS Mullard M8080 tubes.

Strengths:
It just sounds right, like the company slogan says. It sounds like it just lets go of the notes. Nothing is forced or fake sounding. Very high quality of circuit components.

Weaknesses:
I wish it had a better remote than the flimsy plastic wand.

Similar Products Used:
I never owned anything else quite in this range. I beats everything else that my friends own.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I was looking for something a tad more musical than my Cary, and the PV14L Series II did the trick. Not only that but I got a preamp with a killer level/balance control and more inputs.

Strengths:
Musical Level/balance control Number of inputs

Weaknesses:
Uses the out-of-production 6C4 tube Remote is so-so

Similar Products Used:
Cary SLP-50B AR LS-15

Price Paid:  $2050.00 from Premier Audio

Summary:
A couple of months ago, I made the jump from mass market garbage to high-end sound, so that will be the perspective of my review. If you like tube sound (and boy do I) then you will like this preamplifier. Soundstage is open and airy with rich, warm tube sound. The break-in period is very reasonable and the unit warms up in about 45 minutes. In comparison to the Musical Fidelity A3.2CR (a very good preamp), I preferred the richer, warmer sound of the CJ. Very comparable sound to the Audio Research SP16L preamp; you wouldn't go wrong with either. As noted in many other reviews, the remote is very cheap and I'm a bit disconcerted that the unit doesn't quite "sit" level on the rack, but those are minor complaints. If you can stomach the price of good gear, abandon your mass market electronics!

Strengths:
Characteristic "warm" tube sound Excellent soundstaging Great looks!

Weaknesses:
Cheap remote Slightly warped case

Similar Products Used:
Musical Fidelity A3.2CR Audio Research SP16L

Price Paid:  $1880.00 from Audio Video Solution

Summary:
Ahhhh, It sounds great. The CJ costs a little more than some of the others, but It's a better product IMO. I have reached nirvana with this piece and have the best of both worlds. Presence, soundstage, tone, warm sounding, it's all there. Power by a Solid state power amp, It makes great music. Using the bypass (Home theater) feature allows me to connect my Lexicon MC-1 preamp to it and use the front speakers for both Music and HT. My vinyl sounds muy bien and my movie watching hasn't missed a beat. Versatile, sweet sounding and when warmed up it's hard to imagine any better sound. (I should find a woman like that) Coltrane and Miles never sounded so good. BTW, using the home theater bypass allows the use of your sub woofer. Real nice.

Strengths:
Quiet, versatile. Get the MKII upgrade. It's worth it.

Weaknesses:
Remote. But it works.

Similar Products Used:
Lexicon MC-1, Parasound Amps, Music Hall, Celestion speakers,