For what it's worth, thought I'd just share this for those who may care to read:
This particular system is obviously quite different to the reference system we had two decades ago. Nonetheless, the brand of amplification has remained the same, even the TT rig was based on a similar Rega design. The one and only item that has changed significantly has been the digital playback system, now being Esoteric.
Since selling off the whole lot stock and barrel, back in 2004 just before heading off to Aus. Everything from the CJ Premier 8A monoblocks, ART preamp, Apogee Diva's, Meitner Dac and Meridian Transport, sold off within 1 week! To a well deserved mate who actually runs a night club!
So arriving in Aus, I had to start from scratch! Started off with a digital radio! That worked well! It was a Sony and still going strong!
So it has taken me approx 15yrs to put together this system. One forum member in particular has called it, "entry level, kitchen system, beginners system", and whatever else he's labelled it as. BTW not many folks have big enough kitchens to accommodate CLX's!
Since the last visit, which was around 6 months ago, there have been numerous changes.
1. The CJ monoblocks- after going through a calibrated Class A bias operation to produce 60w of Class A before switching into Class AB, arrived back in Feb. Then again in March they were sent back for a final Teflon cap upgrade and a full Vishay resistor upgrade. (Thus, being the most significant factor of improvement).
2. The CT5 preamp was also adjusted on power supply bias, providing higher voltage using the specialised 6N30P tubes. This makes the preamp run slightly warmer to the touch, and is pretty much an ACT2 series 3 if ever one existed.
3. The CLX's are now placed on the Iso Acoustics Gaia II's, an absolute marvel!
4. The CLX's were repositioned along with the rest of the sitting area, to form a dedicated listening area within an open plan design living room.
5. Acoustic panelling was built-in to the surrounding walls of this space. Since the wifey does not like acoustic panels hanging around, unless it was of Aboriginal art work or something like that... have to please the Mrs!
6. The Esoteric digital player has now fully run-in. So yes! It did take a while ok.
7. Forgot to mention one more item; the CJ phonostage TEA2SE was upgraded to the Max version. That definitely made a home run in my 40% personal benchmark!
Since then that person hasn't visited, and I have no intention of accommodating them either. Having said that, since lately the Esoteric has been labelled to sound "synthetic..." whatever!
That person who labelled it as synthetic hasn't even set foot into this room, so how on earth can such a statement be made? Oh! Yes he's heard of many top end Eso's in various systems that sounded synthetic, ok.
At the end of the day, there's no other system I would rather own, regardless of price or what people say. Call it entry level, call it kitchen system, call it beginners, call it synthetic, or just call it whatever you want mate.
One thing I do know is that this particular system that's taken me around 15 years to build, delivers all that is required to reproduce the best from quality recordings. In it's most simplest and purest form possible, I sincerely believe it captures the true essence of the original recording, that is provided that recording is good. It has reached the finest level I could possibly do in terns of lateral upgrades.
Other die hard CJ and ML fans who have visited lately, have commented that the CJ amplifiers sound like the ART27A in monoblock version. Another person commented that they sound like the Kondo Audio Note monoblocks... whatever! I certainly don't think so but they're entitled to their opinion. They do sound quite different to the CJ norm but still have that golden glow CJ signature sound in full glory! I made sure I didn't lose any of that.
As for me, I'm just going to sit back, pour that scotch and light that cigar! Here's a big cheers to Gsophile, Sammy T, RaChik and now we have Vrac soon to be on board.
Cheers to Esoteric! and don't forget that warm-up run-in first, it's mighty helpful!
Oh! And do enjoy those fine tunes!
Big Woof!!! RJ
