Behind the Lens

SON OF A GUN
There is no mistaking the lineage of the conrad-johnson
ET5 line-stage. It closely mimics the circuitry and parts
quality of conrad-johnson’s big gun - the GAT preamplifier.
Same zero-feedback audio circuit, though without
the dual- mono layout. Same regulated power supply
circuit, but shared between the channels. Same CJD
capacitors, though less total capacitance. Same
precision metal foil resistors. The result - a strong family
resemblance in sonic character that just sounds right,
making the ET5 a bargain at half the price of the GAT.
Jefferson Airplane
Surrealistic Pillow
Mobile Fidelity, 180g 45RPM mono 2LP
MUSIC
Jefferson
Airplane
Blasting “Somebody to
Love” through JBLs in
my garage while evaluating
this record was one
of the best experiences
I’ve had this year, and one
enhanced by a few strings
of multicolored Christmas
lights for full psychedelic effect. The
local sheriff arriving on the scene,
however, didn’t seem amused to
find staff member Jerold O’Brien
and yours truly partying down. But
he did show a sense of humor when
he said, “You two aren’t driving anywhere,
right?” And he admitted the
record sounded pretty damn good.
As cool as this record sounds on
a completely geeked-out analog rig
(primarily consisting of an AVID Acutus
Reference SP turntable and Koetsu
Onyx Platinum cartridge), if there
is any way you can make your way
to a great vintage system and crank
the hell out of it, you will be instantly
transported back to the beginning of
an era that forever changed rock.
Produced in the original mono,
the Mobile Fidelity version of this Airplane
classic comes on like you’ve
never heard it before. We could go
on with a gaggle of audiophile descriptors,
but just go grab a copy. It’s
worth the asking price if you do nothing
more than play “White Rabbit”
really loud. Just be sure to inhale.
conrad-johnson It just sounds right.
2800K Dorr Ave • Fairfax, VA 22031 • phone: 703-698-8581, fax: 703-560-5360 • www.conradjohnson.com
128 TONE AUDIO NO.75
November 2015 129