Conrad-Johnson Premier 7A preamplifier

Conrad-Johnson Premier 7A preamplifier

Jul 29, 2007 First Published:May 29, 1992

Conrad-Johnson launched the all-tube Premier 7 in 1988 as an all-out sonic assault on the state of the preamplifier art. A great deal has happened since then. For starters, C-J has gotten a great deal of feedback from customers, dealers, and reviewers. None other than <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/66">J. Gordon Holt</A> (<I>Stereophile</I>, November 1988, Vol.11 No.11) concluded that: "It appears that nothing which could possibly have improved its sound had been omitted....It is, in fact, about as close as any tubed preamp has come to being perfectly neutral in sound&mdash;in nearly all respects." In the now-defunct <I>Sounds Like...</I> (issue 3), Sam Burstein concluded that "It is, with certain reservations, absolutely delightful to one's musical senses." And, speaking of absolutes, even Harry Pearson gave the Premier 7 a rave in the first round of his preamplifier survey (<I>TAS</I>, issue 58). As icing on the cake, John Atkinson (<I>Stereophile</I>, Vol.12 No.8) concluded that the 7 had "the requisite degree of sonic magic to make it a Class A recommended preamplifier."

System upgrades

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by Analog2112 on

Hey all.
I am going to start upgrading my audio system. I keep a seperate system for the video stuff and want to upgrade just my music system. I have a Kenwood KR A5030 160W receiver and 1 pair of Mach 1 and one pair of Mach 2 speakers. Should I upgrade the receiver or speakers first. Is there any speaker out there that can compete with the big 15" woofers the Mach 1+2s have?

How to use ERS Paper around cable without any weaknesses

Forums
The Dead Zone
Submitted by Jan Vigne on

Screw you, dup. You just can't leave it alone can you? You are the most childish thing I've ever seen since I last had a puppy in the house. First my amps, now the speakers. How much time did you spend finding out what speakers I use since you couldn't get it right in the cable thread?

You are a piece of work, asshole.

Mingus & Pepper

Mingus & Pepper

Jul 29, 2007

I have a <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/arts/music/29kapl.html?_r=1&ref=arts&…; story</A> in the Arts & Leisure section of today’s <I>New York Sunday Times</I> about Charles Mingus and Art Pepper—specifically about the happy accident that these two famously self-absorbed jazz legends married women who became equally absorbed in preserving their legacies.

VPI Scout or Project 9.1

Forums
Analog Sources
Submitted by David123 on

A few months ago I posted MA 6900 under the Amplification section. Not a lot of response (thanks Jim), but I finally got a good deal on a used unit from Brian at Audio Classics in New York. The MA 6900 amp sounds wonderful and significantly upgrades my Monitor Audio SR6 speakers...more air, speed and tighter bass.

I like vinyl, and I am sure that some of you have compared the two subject TTs. I would appreciate any comments or recommendations. I plan to upgrade the speakers in the relatively near future (1-2 years), but for now they are fine.

Thanks in advance

McIntosh Announces Trade-UP Program

McIntosh Announces Trade-UP Program

Jul 28, 2007

In audio, there's brand loyalty and then there's McIntosh loyalty. Part of that, of course, is that the manufacturer's black glass face panels and glowing blue meters have become audio icons that generations of audiophiles have grown up lusting after, but part of it is undoubtedly because McIntosh is so very good at fostering a sense of community.

Dolby TrueHD Ready for Primetime

Dolby TrueHD Ready for Primetime

Jul 28, 2007

Recently we received an SOS from fearless leader John Atkinson. <I>Dolby is staging a press event on an evening I have a schedule conflict</I>, he wrote. <I>Could you attend in my stead?</I> As obligations go, attending an industry dinner is not exactly the most onerous task going&mdash;alcohol is frequently served (the best way to guarantee the press shows up) and you get to hang out with your fellow A/V journalists, an admittedly mixed blessing. What is not assured is that there will actually be news.

10 year Upgrade fever?

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by Harjac on

Ten years ago...
Sonic Frontiers Power 2 power amplifier
Robert J. Reina, May, 1997
...and I bought this great amp, upgraded the tubes to KT88 two years ago and still very, very happy but...
Yes the upgrade anxiety has struck again!
So I was drooling as I looked at the McIntosh MC275, after having replaced my old C-22 Commemorative pre-amp with their latest C2200!

But I do have my doubts, MC275 vs. Power2 is that really a worthy upgrade?

Harold

World's finast? How can that be?

Forums
Digital Sources
Submitted by CECE on

Zanden claims the DAC with an obsolete chip and vacuum tubes is the world's finast!!! YET, EMMLABS has a CD/SACD player unit that upsamples CD to over 5MgHz which is 2X the SACD rate. And done with up to date IC's. AND it is like 1/4 the price. And it plays SACD, while the obsolete Zanden is a mere CD only. When do claims of "worlds finast" become a lie? What does that make teh EMMLABS unit, which is a modern, up to date system. Only in audio does an obsolete not in production make claims as the finast?

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