Looking for amp to replace Conrad Johnson Premier 4

paul@psk-associates.com -- Mon, 11/15/2010 - 12:22

Hi there,

I am running a very old rig that includes a Conrad Johnson PV-6 pre, a CJ Premier 4 power amp and B&W DM6 speakers.

I would like to replace the power amp and have considered the Rogue Stereo 90, Rogue Atlas Magnum, JE Audio VS70 and the PrimaLuna ProLogue 6, ProLogue 7 or Dialogue 5 amps.

My head is spinning from the apparent large number of choices and being in Toronto, I haven't found dealers who carry more than one of the above brands. It's hard to do a proper comparison.

I would appreciate any advice that you folks can offer. Obviously, I would like to hear from those who have had the opportunity to compare two or more of the above amps. I am also open to other options.

Thanks!
Paul

paul@psk-associ... -- Mon, 11/15/2010 - 13:01

I forgot to mention that I'd like to keep the cost to under $3,000

Mullard EL34 -- Thu, 12/02/2010 - 08:52

Paul,
The classic conrad-johnson Premier 4 power-amplifer really isn't the weak link in your system; the extremely primitive nature of the conrad-johnson PV-6 pre-amplfier would seem to make it the "weakest link" in your music system's capabilities. The Premier 4 is an amazingly capable 100WPC amplifier that is based on the eminently-musical EL34 output tube (even the "monster" Premier 1 was upgraded to the Premier 1B with a switch from 6550 output tubes to the EL34). I would suggest one of the conrad-johnson "composite triode" pre-amplifiers (ART, ART2, ET3, CT5, GAT) as an appropriate complement to the music-reproduction capabilities of the Premier 4; the composite triode circuit is a conceptually simple design—based on creating a single “super” triode by paralleling sections of individual tubes. In this way, the entire pre-amplification circuit can be reduced to a single active stage, without buffers or negative-feedback. I would suggest that the pre-amplifier change would loft your music system to a whole new level of performance. Just a thought... ;-)

Garth Nelson -- Thu, 12/02/2010 - 22:32

I ran a Conrad Johnson Premier 1b for many years modded with kt90 tubes I have just moved to ayre amps and preamp and I am finding it welll worth the change. As you are in Toronto you might want to check out Soundstage in Waterloo I have found some great gear and help there. Good luck in your search I found Ayre well built easy to use and set up and sounds great with my speakers Martin Logan CLXs. I found the move away from tubes easier than I thought it would be give ayre a listen. I am in vinyl with a sota and sme V a Shelter 90x best of luck

Garth

paul@psk-associ... -- Sun, 12/05/2010 - 20:36

Thanks. I have found that trying to get tubes that are compatible with the Premier 4 is a major pain. CJ will only sell complete sets at $500+ which is simply unacceptable. Buying tubes from 4rd parties is risky as the amp can malfunction with the wrong choices.

I realize that the PV-6 is likely the weak link in my rig and will have to give the CJ option some serious thought.

Mullard EL34 -- Thu, 12/09/2010 - 12:23

The Premier 4 just needs quality tubes for stable, reliable high-fidelity operation; the circuit doesn't place any undue in-circuit demand on the tubes. I've re-tubed my Audio Research gear many times via The Tube Store (http://www.tubestore.com); excellent tubes, great service has been my experience. The Premier 4 needs can be met at The Tube Store for $169.70 (plus shipping) :
* 2x 5751s ($24.95/each for Sovtek 5751's)
* 2x 6CG7's ($26.95/each for Electro-Harmonix 6CG7EH Gold-Pin with matched sections)
* 4x EL34's ($32.95/matched-pair for Electro-Harmonix EL34EH's)

paul@psk-associ... -- Thu, 12/09/2010 - 12:31

Thanks, Mullard34.

I've passed your comments on to my techie. I'll let you (and everyone else) know what he says.

Paul