Considering my first tube pre, the Conrad Johnson PV-7...

dbaldus
dbaldus Posts: 730
edited August 2010 in Electronics
I'm considering picking up a Conrad Johnson PV-7 tube pre-amplifier here on the forum. As this could potentially be my first dip into tubes in any way, shape, or form, I naturally have a lot of questions that I would like to turn to the experts for :)

1. Is it bad practice to mix a tube pre with a SS amp? I'm currently running a Parasound HCA-2200mkII and don't see myself upgrading to a tube amp in the near future, so I'm wondering how this pre in particular will match up with my Parasound? I just don't want to have the pair clash, resulting in bad sound :eek:

2. What can I expect when moving from a decent SS pre to this tubed pre as far as sound quality, warmth, soundstage, detail retrieval, etc.? Specifically, I'm looking at replacing my Parasound PL/D-1100 with the Conrad Johnson. Has anyone had any chance to compare these two or similar models?

3. If I am not going to be using this unit's phono section, should I really be looking at other pre's? I don't see myself rocking vinyl any time soon so I will just be utilizing the line stage of this pre-amp, which I understand is fairly good as well.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

2-channel
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Comments

  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2010
    Tube pre and the right sand amp= heaven

    I'd jump on it---great way to start in to the tube vortex.:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited July 2010
    I'm considering the same pre (different source). Would be interested in a comparison between the PV-7 and PV-10. But, to avoid derailing this thread:

    1) I currently run a tube pre and a SS amp, as do lots of people. Although I am seriously considering trying a tube amp, lots of people prefer the tube-pre ss-amp combo as the best of both worlds, with the natural, warm sound reproduction of the tube pre and the power, speed, and accuracy of the ss amp. In truth, it is the synergy and what your ears prefer that should be the guide.

    2) I've never heard either, so it would be unfair to comment. However, I can say that Conrad Johnson preamps are reputed to have a very warm, tubey sound, and that particular model is sometimes cited as a good example of the CJ sound.

    3) At the price offered, you're not really paying much, if anything, for the phono section. However, there are many other LS tube preamps that may give you a bit more for what you want (like, a remote). However, if you find you really like the CJ, and later decide to try some vinyl (and you will), well, there you are.

    Let us know what you try, what you learn, and where you end up.
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited July 2010
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    1) I currently run a tube pre and a SS amp, as do lots of people. Although I am seriously considering trying a tube amp, lots of people prefer the tube-pre ss-amp combo as the best of both worlds, with the natural, warm sound reproduction of the tube pre and the power, speed, and accuracy of the ss amp. In truth, it is the synergy and what your ears prefer that should be the guide.

    This is exactly what I was hoping for - the best of both worlds, instead of a clash between the two.
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    Let us know what you try, what you learn, and where you end up.

    Will do - and thanks for the comments!

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited July 2010
    So in general, it sounds like tube pre's are just known to be more "natural" and "warm" sounding than SS pre's, which sounds like it's right up my alley. Now I'm just wondering if the pre that I have (the Parasound PL/D 1100) has a better line stage than the CJ?

    Yeah, I'm definitely looking to get into tubes, but if what I'm using it for is going to be a decrease in sound quality due to the CJ having a lesser line stage than my Parasound, then I'll just have to wait until I can afford something more expensive in the tube realm.

    Anyone here have any comparison between a the two pre's or a SS pre similar to the Parasound PL/D 1100?

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited July 2010
    Excellent pre-amp and as mentioned previously, tube pre-amp + SS amplifier....awesome. You'll never miss the Parasound.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2010
    No disrespect,, but the C-J is in another league than the Parasound.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited July 2010
    dbaldus wrote: »
    Yeah, I'm definitely looking to get into tubes, but if what I'm using it for is going to be a decrease in sound quality due to the CJ having a lesser line stage than my Parasound, then I'll just have to wait until I can afford something more expensive in the tube realm.

    Hope you didn't get that impression from me - like i said, I have a nice tube pre, but am considering upgrading to a CJ PV-7 (or maybe a PV-10). I've heard nothing but great things about them, including from several Polkies whose ears I trust.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,795
    edited July 2010
    Buy it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited July 2010
    I recently transitioned from using my TFM-42 Carver SS amp with my Peachtree Nova (DAC/Pre) to using a Dodd ELP pre-amp with the Carver TFM-42 Amp...

    Absolutely amazing and no comparison to the Peachtree Nova (which i love, actually). The Dodd ELP with the right tube is phenomenal and blows away the Nova as a pre..

    Using the Nova as a pre now just makes everything sound lifeless in comparison to the Dodd. While I still love the Nova as an integrated amp and especially its DAC.. I can't see myself using it as a pre for my main system..

    Hopefully that's helpful..

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited July 2010
    george daniel wrote: »
    No disrespect,, but the C-J is in another league than the Parasound.

    Exactly....snatch it up and don't look back.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited July 2010
    punk-roc wrote: »
    I recently transitioned from using my TFM-42 Carver SS amp with my Peachtree Nova (DAC/Pre) to using a Dodd ELP pre-amp with the Carver TFM-42 Amp...

    Absolutely amazing and no comparison to the Peachtree Nova (which i love, actually). The Dodd ELP with the right tube is phenomenal and blows away the Nova as a pre..

    Using the Nova as a pre now just makes everything sound lifeless in comparison to the Dodd. While I still love the Nova as an integrated amp and especially its DAC.. I can't see myself using it as a pre for my main system..

    Hopefully that's helpful..

    Jason

    Thanks for the comments. Out of curiosity, do you still have your Nova in the chain of components as a DAC only?

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited August 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Buy it.

    Ok :p

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited August 2010
    dbaldus wrote: »
    Thanks for the comments. Out of curiosity, do you still have your Nova in the chain of components as a DAC only?

    I do still use the Nova as a DAC since its the best DAC I have.. I've had a hankering to swap it out for a standalone to see if i like a standalone better.. there's also a little hum, since i added my tube-pre, that seems to lessen when the Nova is out of the chain

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • willman
    willman Posts: 10
    edited August 2010
    I like my PV-10AL with tele's quite a bit better than my old Pv-7 with tele's.
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