Conrad Johnson PV-7 Tube Preamp

inspiredsports

Rather than cram Polk's servers full of huge images, I'll just post one and I've posted many more photos and all of the details at . . . . http://www.inspiredsports.com/images/cj-pv7

I'm asking $540 USD well packaged (double-boxed with unit in original box plus outer box) and shipped anywhere in the Continental US. I will eat the PayPal fee and can also ship to all Canadian Provinces, Alaska and Hawaii if you twist my arm.

markmarc

That's a killer budget preamp, I owned one 20+ years ago. Somebody is going to get a great deal.

inspiredsports

Yep, It seems a few Polkies have owned these and I did a quick search to unearth some old threads that mention the PV-7 . . .

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53777

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46440

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53205

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37500

cstmar01

how do you like the phono section or have you not tried that at all?

inspiredsports

cstmar01 wrote: »

how do you like the phono section or have you not tried that at all?

I listen to vinyl about 85% of the time and have 9 Thorens tables in various conditions of "tweakedness"

My "best" is a highly tweaked TD-160 BC with SME 3009 Series III tonearm with damping sump, Grado Reference Platinum woodbody, custom plinth and damping, aluminum isolation cones, Vibrapods, Cardas throughout and a Herbies Way Excellent Mat paired with Joe's "The Clamp" . While it's obviously not a 10K MC setup, it is very, very true and revealing and sounds stellar when plugged into the PV-7.

My initial foray into tubes was with a Bellari VP-130 hybrid tube/SS phono stage and that's when I knew I needed a tubed phono preamp. I rolled tubes in the Bellari and had it sounding like heaven, but . . . I sold the Bellari shortly after I got to know the PV-7 because the PV-7 performed at an entirely higher level.

I've also listened to the same table with Thorens MM001 phono pre's and with my NAD 1700 SS preamp that has a fairly highly regarded phono stage and the PV-7 is the best of the bunch.

TroyD

Nice preamp....the phono stage is pretty darn good. If you like a warm, 'tubey' sound....this is your pre.

BDT

inspiredsports

I have a second (and better) set of the 5 tubes for this pre that I will add in for $25 to sweeten the pot.

The Telefunken 12AX7 at the far left of the image is a smooth plate and tests 90/90, still strong and sweet, but by no means new. The 2 Phillips 12AX7's are very strong at 110/106 and 103/103 respectively. I don't recall exactly what I paid for these tubes, but it was in the neighborhood of $20-$25 each.

I recently paid $60 delivered for the two Mullard CV4024 M8162 (12AT7/ECC81 equivalents) that test at 125/106 and 115/104.

Hangten

I am definitely interested in your preamp. Please call me.
Mark (808)638-8920

kawizx9r

Free bump!
I love me some Telefunken smoothplates, which is a defnite no brainer if you want to grab this amp.

Btw Hangten, I suggest editing your post and deleting your phone number for security purposes.

-Freddy

inspiredsports

I'm just back from my son's grueling 9-games-in-4 days baseball tournament and will be returning calls and emails soon.

inspiredsports

I'm going to drop the price to $530 delivered US (and I'll absorb PayPal adder) and throw in the extra tube set shown in post #7 for free.

This is a great deal for someone looking for a great tube pre with phono section.

Image links are in post #1 and I have the original box which isn't photographed, but definitely goes with the sale.

mhardy6647

Nice piece of hardware; looks like an excellent value to me.
One is tempted...

inspiredsports

A member PM'd me to ask if this PV-7 has a Home Theater bypass, and naturally it does not as Home Theater was not mainstream back in the mid 80's when this vintage tube preamp was produced.

That made me realize that I don't know enough about HT bypass. I guess I was under the impression that HT bypass was included on some HT RECEIVERS to allow for the use of a separate 2-channel pre like mine.

inspiredsports

I was holding this back until yesterday at the request of a friend who wanted to buy it contingent upon his selling his current pre and his buyer didn't come through.

I've am actually just reinstalling the PV-7 in my system as I just bought and received George Daniels VTL ST-50 tubed power amp and want to see how it sounds as the front end to that amp.

I'm going to listen for a while and then post on eBay and Audiogon if it does not sell over the next several weeks here.

I will repeat that at $540 delivered with the extra tubes I'm including, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal on a well cared for quality tube pre like my Conrad Johnson PV-7.

dkg999

As many inquiries as we have about decent budget pre-amps on this forum this should of been sold by now. Why tweak a piece of china.com stuff when you can buy real higher-fi at that price? Amazing :rolleyes:

kawizx9r

I'd buy it, but can't do so until my integrated sells

Glws!

-Freddy

dbaldus

You have a PM...

inspiredsports

dbaldus wrote: »

You have a PM...

. . . and you have a tracking number

Thanks!

I placed the best tubeset in the linestage for you and included a detailed diagram of the tube layout inside. I also boxed and applied detailed labels to the extra set of tubes.

I hope you enjoy this little jewel as much as I did.

Moderator; Please mark this thread as SOLD when you get a chance