Description: Single-chassis, remote-controlled, tubed line preamplifier. Tube complement: four 6N30P dual triodes. Inputs: five single-ended (RCA), two processor loops. Outputs: two single-ended (RCA), two processor loops. Frequency range at unity gain: 2Hz–>100kHz. Polarity: inverts phase. Hum & noise: 100dB below 1V output. Output impedance: <500 ohms.
Dimensions: 19" (487mm) W by 5.375" (138mm) H by 15.75" (404mm) D. Weight: 30 lbs (13.6kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: 2821050.
Price: $13,500. Approximate number of dealers: 65. Warranty…
search
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Krell DVD Standard DVD-V player, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista CD player; Polk XRt12 Reference XM satellite radio tuner with Musical Fidelity X-DACV3 D/A processor.
Power Amplifiers: darTZeel NHB-108, Conrad-Johnson Premier 350, McCormack DNA-500.
Loudspeakers: Krell Resolution 2, Sonus Faber Cremona.
Cables: Interconnect: Audience Au24 SE, Shunyata Research Aries. Speaker: Audience Au24, Shunyata Research Lyra. AC: Shunyata Research Anaconda.
Accessories: Shunyata Research Hydra AC power-distribution system; Solid-Tech Rack of…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The Conrad-Johnson ACT2 proved unfussy about grounding, which is always a good thing in a preamplifier. With the volume control set to "99," the maximum, its voltage gain was 20.5dB; the unity-gain setting was "76." The single-ended circuit inverted signal polarity, which should be compensated for in comparisons with other preamplifiers. The input impedance was a high 68k ohms over most of the audioband, dropping to a still fairly high 22k ohms at 20kHz. The output impedance was a fairly low 502 ohms in the midrange and treble, increasing to 1150 ohms at 20Hz.…
Wes Phillips wrote again about the ACT2 in December 2005 (Vol.28 No.12):
To give the Viola Cadenza a thorough test, it occurred to me that I ought to compare it to a top-rated preamp—such as Conrad-Johnson's ACT2 ($12,000), which I reviewed in the March 2005 issue—as well as to a perfectly ordinary mass-market design. In one of those ironies that typify the life of a Stereophile reviewer, getting my hands on a cheap'n'cheerful preamp—not the ACT2—proved to be the sticking point. I just didn't have one, so I decided to use my reference preamp, the decidedly real-world Musical Fidelity Nu-…
Wes Phillips wrote about the ACT2 Series 2 in November 2007, Vol.30 No.11:
When I reviewed Conrad-Johnson's $7500 CT5 preamplifier in the July 2006 Stereophile, after having reviewed their $13,500 ACT2 in March 2005, I was struck by how very close to C-J's flagship the less expensive line stage sounded. In fact, they were so close to sonically indistinguishable that I found it difficult to imagine why an audiophile might choose the more expensive option.
"Actually, we wondered that, too," said Lew Johnson when the review was published. "So we took what we learned building the CT5…
Sidebar: WP's 2007 Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe, Muse Polyhymnia universal players; McIntosh MS750 media server.
Preamplifiers: Ayre K-1xe, Krell Evolution 202.
Power Amplifiers: Ayre MX-R, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300, Portal Paladin.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Special Twenty-Five & Confidence C1, Sonics Anima, Vandersteen Quatro Wood, Wilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 8.
Cables: Interconnect: Shunyata Research Aries. Speaker: Shunyata Research Lyra.
Accessories: Ayre L-5xe line filter; Furutech eTP-609 distribution box; APC APCS15 AC line…
One of my best friends is a serious jazz collector with a side interest in good replay gear. The last time we got together over a meal, he asked, "What do you think is really the most important component in an audio system?" He might have added "these days": It's a subject we come back to from time to time.
Because I meant my response in fun, I didn't think long. "The amplifier," I answered—and then, for the hell of it, I added, "By far."
There was a time in my life when I thought the speakers were most important. And, of course, there was a time when I thought the…
Music
Sir Adrian Boult's 1976 recording of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius (LP, EMI SLS 987) is arguably one of the finest records ever made, in every sense. There is abundant, realistic texture in the sounds of the strings; singing voices have just the right scale; all the instruments and voices have plenty of color; there is believable depth and just the right amount of "air" in the sound; and, above all, it's a superb, transcendent, landmark performance, one that builds from a mystical, Parsifal-like introduction to a moving three-hankie finish. One might ask: How could such a thing…
Sir Adrian Boult's 1976 recording of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius (LP, EMI SLS 987) is arguably one of the finest records ever made, in every sense. There is abundant, realistic texture in the sounds of the strings; singing voices have just the right scale; all the instruments and voices have plenty of color; there is believable depth and just the right amount of "air" in the sound; and, above all, it's a superb, transcendent, landmark performance, one that builds from a mystical, Parsifal-like introduction to a moving three-hankie finish. One might ask: How could such a thing…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed, monoblock power amplifier. Tube complement: one each 12AX7, 6N6P, 6AK5, 5651; two 6C33-B. Output power: 18Wpc into 4, 8, or 16 ohms at up to 3% THD (dBW). Input impedance: 41k ohms in parallel with 470pF. Input sensitivity: 775mV for maximum output. Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz, -0.3dB, 3.0% THD.
Dimensions: 16" W by 9" H by 20" D. Weight: 70 lbs each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: B10115, B10116, listening; B10119, measuring.
Price: $29,290/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 11.
Manufacturer: Lamm Industries, Inc., 2621 E…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Linn LP12 turntable, Naim Armageddon power supply, Naim Aro tonearm; Galibier Quattro Supreme turntable, Graham Robin & Schröder Reference tonearms; Lyra Helikon Mono, Miyabi 47, Linn Akiva, Denon 103 cartridges.
Preamplification: Audio Note AN-S2, Tamura TKS-83 step-up transformers; Fi Preamplifier.
Power amplifier: EAR 890.
Loudspeaker: Quad ESL-989, Lowther PM2A in modified Medallion horns.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Nordost Valhalla, homemades. Speaker: Audio Note AN-SPx, Nordost Valhalla, homemades.
…