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Amp recommendation for CJ ET3 preamp

Hi, I need an amplifier recommendation please. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Current setup--

Preamp: Conrad-Johnson ET3
Speakers: Acoustic Zen Adagios

In a perfect world, I would love to find a ss amp for under $3,000 to match my system. I'm thinking solid state because my concern is that a tube amp paired with the tube ET3 preamp would be too "sweet." (Too much of a good thing). Someone can talk me out of that idea if they think I am wrong.

I understand that I'm going about this process a little backwards and probably should have purchases the preamp last but what can I say? I'm not the most rational person!
vjnavarra
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi VJNavarra,

Nice preamp!

SS amp: Older Pass SS amps, Parasound JC, CJ 350SA

Tube amp: not all tubes are too sweet, but you should be able to find a purity of tonality that is beautiful. CJ MV60SE (6550 tube not EL34...both are good, but 6550 more linear). Monoblock them for more power, greater linearity and damping control of bass

Also, your preamp is not golden like older CJ (whose preamps i have used for over 12 years running now). It is still a touch of midrange magic, but far less than before with far greater transparency...thus i am not convinced the right tube amp is a bad thing...YMMV.

good luck and pls keep us posted...enjoy your great preamp!
unsound
6,115 posts
 
I'd suggest having your speakers being the deciding factor in your choice of amplification.
bogeybuster49
18 posts
 
I have the same combo ET3SE/Adagio with a cj Premier 11A.
I went the SS route and eventually came back to "old iron."
Good luck.
vjnavarra OP
3 posts
 
Lloydelee21, thanks for for the response!

I'm replacing an old CJ PV-5 so I guess I'm letting that bias my opinion of tube preamps. I had it paired with a ss amp and I loved the sound. When listening to the ET3 before purchasing, I thought it had a similar sound only with better detail (clarity) in the midrange.

I'm a bit of a newbie to all of this so I might need a little more help/clarification. You said "Parasound JC" which amp is that specifically?

Also, the CJ MV60SE looks like it's an older CJ tube amp? Are you recommending finding a used one?

Again, thanks for the suggestions.
vjnavarra OP
3 posts
 
Unsound,
Any thoughts on what amp to pair with the Adagio speakers?

I live in San Diego and was demoing the Adagio speakers with Robert Lee who had them hooked up to a pair of Red Dragon Leviathan Signature monoblocks (I have no clue what they cost).

The sound was amazing but I have no idea how nicely class D amps and tube preamps play together.

In talking to Robert, he didn't seem too concerned about the amp/speaker pairing. He seemed to think they'd work well with just about anything--really cool guy by the way.

Anyway, I guess that's why I was focused on choosing the right amp for the preamp.
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