The only problem with feeling that you've heard it all before is that you begin to fear that you're repeating yourself. But even at the risk of doing that, I feel I should describe the sound of the ACT2—er, CT5. Essentially, it took me places—wherever a performance was recorded, to be specific. From the studio funk of the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street (CD, Virgin 47864) to the wide-open acoustic of…
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Not really. I'm supposed to report on the differences I do hear, and with the CT5, for the most part, there weren't any. And that is news, especially at a little over half the price.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Single-chassis, remote-controlled, tubed line preamplifier. Tube complement: two 6N30P dual triodes. Inputs: 5 single-ended (RCA), 2 processor loops. Outputs: 2 single-ended (RCA), 2 processor loops. Frequency range at unity gain: 2Hz–>100kHz. Polarity: inverts phase. Hum & noise: 100dB below 1V output. Output impedance: 800 ohms.
Dimensions: 19" (487mm) W by 5" (127mm) H by 15" (381mm) D. Weight: 31 lbs (14kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: 2850125.
Price: $7500. Approximate number of dealers: 60. Warranty: 3 years parts &…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: Ayre C5-xe universal player.
Preamplifier: Conrad-Johnson ACT2.
Power Amplifiers: Moscode 401HR, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300, Nu Force Reference 8b.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Special Twenty-Five, Thiel CS2.4.
Cables: Interconnect: Audience Au24, Shunyata Research Aries, Stereovox Colibri. Speaker: Shunyata Research Lyra, Stereovox Firebird. AC: Shunyata Research Anaconda & Orion.
Accessories: Audience adeptResponse power conditioner, Shunyata Research Hydra AC power-distribution system, OSAR Selway/Magruder equipment racks…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As expected from its single gain stage, the CT5 inverted signal polarity. With the volume control set to "99," the preamp offered a maximum voltage gain of 19.2dB, which is on the high side for a line stage. The volume control didn't have an exact unity gain setting. A control setting of "78" was just below unity gain, "79" just above. The CT5's input impedance was close to 30k ohms across the audioband, while its output impedance was around 800 ohms as specified in the midrange and treble. However, it rose to 1836 ohms at 20Hz, meaning that the partnering power…
Sam Tellig wrote about the Conrad-Johnson CT5 in July 2008 (Vol.31 No.7):
I have known Bill Conrad and Lew Johnson for about 25 years. I don't for a moment think that they push up prices only to make more money. Such a frugal pair. In the official spelling of their company name, conrad-johnson design, inc., they even spell their last names entirely in lower case.
But, like other high-end audio manufacturers, Bill and Lew have to keep improving quality to keep their competitive edge. And that means buying expensive parts from esoteric manufacturers in small quantities. Fortunately…
When I review an affordable loudspeaker, first impressions are important. Once I've unpacked the speaker, noted the quality of its construction and finish, and have complimented or grumbled about the ergonomics of its five-way binding posts, I fire 'er up and give 'er a first listen. Occasionally, the sound will put a smile on my face, either because I'm impressed with the amount of uncolored detail emanating from such an affordable product, or because the speaker sounds so sweet that I'm intoxicated.
Sometimes these favorable first impressions wear off quickly. Maybe what at first…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: 3½-way, bass-reflex, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" (28mm) cloth-dome tweeter, 0.7" (17mm) ribbon tweeter, two 6.5" wood-fiber/pulp-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 800Hz, 3.2kHz, 14kHz. Frequency response: 37Hz–20kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 91.5dB/2.83V/m.
Dimensions: 39.4" (1m) H by 7.5" (190mm) W by 13" (330mm) D. Weight: 41 lbs (18.6kg).
Finishes: Vinyl: Light Oak, Light Walnut.
Serial Number Of Units Reviewed: 6620156 L & R.
Price: $1595/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 102.
Manufacturer: DALI Loudspeakers,…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Aurum Beta S cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss, Creek CD53 Mk.II CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350SE.
Loudspeakers: Nola Mini, Amphion Helium2, Monitor Audio Silver…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
My estimate of the DALI Ikon 6's sensitivity was close to the specified figure, at 90.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, this a useful 3.5dB higher than average. The speaker's impedance (fig.1) remained within 4.5 and 7 ohms over almost the entire audioband, with a minimum value of 4.25 ohms at 3.5kHz. The electrical phase angle also remained low for most of the band, though there is a combination of 6 ohms and –36° just below 100Hz. The speaker should not be that hard to drive, which, in combination with its highish sensitivity, will make it a good match for relatively low-powered…
I am a Revel junkie. Their Ultima Studios have been my reference loudspeakers for years, and I've spent many happy hours with their Performa F-30s and Ultima Gems. They're all great speakers. When the original Gem was launched, it was made clear that all the corporate and economic weight of Revel's parent company, Harman International, was behind the development of this new line. When I visited Revel some years back, I saw cutting-edge design and development, in-house manufacturing of the most critical parts under the tightest scrutiny, and quality control of nearly compulsive meticulousness…