CJ sound

My 17LS was the best pre amp I ever had(now I have gone integrated). I borrowed a Premier 14 before that. I agree they are warm, but don't lack detail, wide deep soundstage. I just loved the Premier 17 and would not have changed, just going integrated was cheaper than buying a new power amp.

The Premier 17LS uses 4 6DJ8 family tubes. This means 4 of the same type of 6DJ8, 6922, or 7308. The type, brand, and variation of the tubes will definitely have an effect. Out of the box the 17LS came with Sovtek 6922s - these are decent tubes though they tend to be a wee bit mechanical/analytical sounding and their top end is not as sweet or extended as others. The Sovteks might yield a slightly forward soundstage, but not to the extent of moving the soundstage to the extent you describe.

My experience with the 17LS found it having a somewhat recessed soundstage - as if you moved farther back in the hall. This was in conjunction with a pair of CJ Premier 12 amps. Not recessed versus in front of the speakers, but simply further behind the speakers. I found the original Shunyata Hydra had a profound positive effect on the 17LS - much more so than on say a 16LS - it opened up the soundstage in terms of width and depth, gave a better sense of air around musicians, and brought the soudnstage forward some, so you didn't feel like you were in the balcony.

Cheers,
Tim

I have owned the CJ Premier 17ls and a custom Art II. CJ's preamps have a laid back, very dark sound. You get a beautiful musical picture but they lack that sparkle of a live performance. This is the reason I got rid of mine and got the Messenger Preamp.

Tube rolling will help a little. I recommend the E1 Elites if you can find them. Call Elliot Midwood with Acoustic Image and see if he has any left. 818 762 1501. Tell him Justin told you to call.

"Laid back, very dark sound." May have been the partnering components or cables (not Cardas by any chance?). I've had a lot of preamps to compare in my system, from my DIY friends and others, and the 17LS2 just doesn't sound like that. Sparkle aplenty, among other virtues :-)

I owned a cj 17ls and liked it very much it certainly was not dark and laid back at least not im my system. If anything it is very detailed with lots of timbre around the instruments and exhibited very good sound staging. I sold it to my friend and moved up to the 16lsII which is simply more of the 17ls. I used EH 6922 gold pin tubes in both units and found them to be a very well rounded tube. Good Luck