Guns N’Roses

REVIEW
REVIEW
Additional Listening — Jeff Dorgay
I
The Conrad-Johnson CA150SE
have a long history with Conrad- as well. And much like two of my the increased amount of music revealed
on all levels is the best two will be a destination component. one on the face of the GAT 2 pre-
($5,000 as non-SE model)
lovely and, for most people, this panel, which looks identical to the MSRP: $7,000
Johnson, going all the way back other favorite solid-state amplifier
to their first preamplifier, and I manufacturers, Burmester and grand you’ll ever spend on your Personally, I like the champagne amplifier. This is definitely a component
you can be proud to own
must admit I’ve never heard a C-J Pass Labs, they’ve managed to hifi system. The standard model is faceplate, so that’s not an issue
product that I didn’t like. However,
they have changed their have that drop or two of warmth if you will, so budget accordingly. terial, whether Metallica or Mahler,
conrad-johnson design, inc.
make solid-state components that slightly more traditional sounding, here. Regardless of program ma-
and pass on to one of your kids.
MANUFACTURER
Fortunately, even though the
house sound a bit over the years. without the sacrifice you’d expect
the CA150SE has a certain ease
Having played the CA150SE
CA150SE has a passive linestage,
Where vintage C-J gear has a bit from a world-class tube amplifier
without resorting to the glass
pect in only the world’s finest hifi
about it that I’ve come to ex-
CONTACT
because this is an integrated,
with everything from my trusty (i.e.
of tonal warmth (or you could call
www.conradjohnson.com
there are none of the usual issues
that plague a passive setup.
it midrange magic) to it, with a bottle.
power hungry) Magnepans to the
components. While not everyone
slight softening of the uppermost
new MartinLogan Neolith and a
PERIPHERALS
As Mr. Zaret mentions, the SE
needs 300 plus watts per channel,
it’s lovely to see an amplifier impedance matched to the at-
Digital Source
The amplifier section is perfectly
register, their products for about
number of excellent speakers in
edition, chock full of Teflon caps,
the last 10–12 years have a slightly
between, the only speaker that
takes a bit of time to come on full
at this level presenting such high tenuator and there is no chance
Oppo BD 105/Auralic Vega
more modern sound if you will.
fell a little short was my Magnepan
3.7s. However, even my C-J
song, but the wait is well worth
tonal purity without breaking the of screwing the match up with an Analog Source
They haven’t lost that magic it. While the extra $2,000 to step
bank.
interconnect that is too capacitive, SME 10 w/SME V tonearm,
Premier 350 couldn’t play those
midrange, but (thanks to, in part, up to this model is not a small investment,
I urge you to go for the
to C-J’s top of the line compo-
get when you do it wrong.
Build quality is also identical causing that lack of body that you Shelter Harmony MC
speakers as loud as I’d like them
the development of the CJD
to go!
Phono Stage Nagra VPS
Teflon capacitors) now have the gusto if you can. I’ve listened to
nents in terms of electrical parts, If you want fantastic sound
Speakers Snell Type Q,
extension and resolution that both SE and non-SE versions of Vinyl via the new C-J Tea 1
mechanical assembly and even with a compact footprint, the
MartinLogan CLS iiZ
their top competitors possess quite a few C-J components and that is in for review was absolutely the volume indicator on the front CA150SE is your baby. l
Cables
Tara Labs
Power
Running Springs Jaco
172 TONE AUDIO NO.78
AUGUST 2016 173