CJ's True work of Art, it's a passion nothing else!

[Big Dog RJ]

Well maties, eventually made it there & back.
It was a very tiresome journey, I just hate long haul flights, can't stand it! The service was great and all that but after 3.5hrs I started getting leg cramps and passing too much gas... even though I stood up walked around for about an hour it didn't help. Plus my big butt was always in the way for the drinks trolley to pass through or if someone wanted to use the loo. Spending quality time with pops was well worth it and he was really surprised to see us! That was the plan. I dearly miss him though, I also miss the warmth and culture of our people, which you will never find in Aus. It's a completely different planet but this is our home now. Hasn't changed much since I last visited in 2012 but Spore truly has! It's vibrant as usual and they thrive on duty free markets with chaos!

There were quite a number of top tier private demos I attended, which I could make a movie out of but I'll stick to the core topic. Just to mention: the Diptyque ribbon panels by the French team, driven by Jadis Mk2 80 monoblocks were superb!!! It really makes a wonderful addition when driven properly, and especially high performance speakers. That addition is all about dynamic swings, limitless extensions and start - stop acceleration, my goodness! The best part is the Diptyque panels aren't too pricey either. No where near Alsyvox or the Clarisys line and still perform exquisitely!
So, I can confirm that if you're looking for top flight options in top line panels, Alsyvox, Clarisys and Genesis are always available but for a fraction of that price, I sincerely believe Diptyque takes the podium. This for sure will be on my next short list, most probably when retirement is due. Hopefully hearing is intact!

Some of the other combos I really enjoyed were the Dartzeel driving Alsyvox and the Solution gear driving Magico's Another fabulous experience was CH Precision driving Focal's. This particular set-up also had the top of the line VAC Statements but no Genesis though... looks like by the time I got there they were sold, I don't know. Overall, top flight stuff without a doubt and very pricey even though it's supposed to be duty free. Add shipping and handling charges plus other costs insurance... it's a BIG spend. I was surprised to see many well known gear quoted at nearly half the price of what I'd pay in Aus... so that part was very very tempting but the added shipping costs and our customs duties is not an easy gig.

So this particular set-up I know extremely well and my good mate has been adding all sorts of gear to his collection, having the Alsyvox, and ML Statements parked in another room, it was a full CLX & BF212 set-up. Had two BF212's, one per channel and also included a Reel to Reel deck by Teac. There were a few others by Revox and Teac but that R2R source was something awe-inspiring! Fantastico!

The ART108A's matched with the ART88 is probably that perfect combination money can buy in terms of pre-power finesse! It doesn't get any better than that, and it easily surpassed my benchmark of 40% in improvement, no doubt.
Having all the glory and wonderful presentation in full 3D holographic detail and bliss, there's one major factor I noticed. Sometimes on certain recordings, background tunes, such as brass, piano or strings or other instruments aren't that profound. They're there but sort of linger in the background and sound bit thin or just plain flat... I'm not sure if this is the source, cables or anything or the gear... not really sure. Anyway, with the ART amps, these background tunes are all there! It has a full lifelike presence and doesn't sound thin or flat. It also varies according to the tune and has superb affects in terms of dynamics or transients when called for. Overall, just a joy to listen to, fabulous! Then of course there's the most neutral part of these ART amps, they completely get out of the way, nothing seems artificially enhanced or sugar coated, just pure pure music. I'm very glad I demoed high quality recordings, both on R2R and vinyl. The TT used at the time was the Michell Orb, one of my favourites of all time. A superb TT for the price. Obviously it all depends on the components etc., I guess sky's the limit.

The Class A power of the ART108A's is really tops! This is serious Class A power, doesn't flinch one bit and I'm surprised how chief designer JF manages to incorporate the KT88 in this particular type of Class A topology. Most KT88 configs I've heard are either soft or very relaxing but certainly not these! They have all the power and brute force typical of KT120's or KT150's but I guess with a velvet touch that makes these amplifiers so lovable. Just glorious!

Then there's the outstanding ART88, outstanding is truly an understatement, I really don't have any words to describe it. The ART88 is truly by far the best in Class I've heard to date! It's all tube design can very easily be matched with the ultra-high-end and it doesn't cost as much as the ultra-high-end. So I guess, if you're financially sound and can afford it at this level, this is one SUPERB preamp! Mighty finest in SOTA.

I'm thinking that those background tunes coming out in full swing must be a factor of the ART88... don't know.
At first glance, it's not much to look at compared to the GAT, ACT2 or CT5... those preamps look like spaceships, really special ART Deco I must say. Only when you get really close to the ART88 and touch & feel, oh boy! We're in for a fabulous night. I was up listening till 4am and spent the night then it was all done & dusted, we flew out. Then I realised, caught in the glorious moments ... I didn't take a single damn photo! Uh, must have been too busy enjoying those finest finest tunes!

As for me, at this stage I've achieved what I was after. There are quite a number of areas I could further improve on and then spend another fortune and be broke! Rather, focus on life and health in general, family and loved ones and at the same time enjoy the music. As of now, it's mighty good enough for me. So I'll pass on this particular upgrade but I must say though, it was very very tempting ... oh well, perhaps in another lifetime.

Cheers to all and keep safe.
Woofty woof'n! RJ

 

[Another Johnson]

Glad you’re back safe and sound. Sounds like a great trip!

 

[LL21]

Great thread Big Dog RJ. So...naturally some questions!

1. If you were to be given a panel for free to keep...how would you rank them ones you heard? In other words, set aside money or distributorships (for now) and just focus on quality of sound...was there a particular design that you found you liked the most?

2. On amplification, were you able to compare the CJ dynamic pair with anything else? If not, any instincts about any comparisons if perhaps you have heard the speakers elsewhere with different amplification?

3. Finally, you have been clear about the state of CJ's latest references being a far and away best for CJ. And I have to concur that my instinct (not being a technical person at all) is that Jeff Fischel really is a gifted, passionate and totally straight shooting engineer and audiophile. So I could well believe what he has done with his latest works.

Can you be any more specific about HOW and WHERE you find these references to surpass their predecessors?

Thanks!

 

[Big Dog RJ]

G'day L, glad you liked the post, and amongst others as well, cheers! It was a very short trip, managed to spend quality time on a few top auditions. Overall, the pic I've posted here was the best of all. Spending those few days with pops was a trip down memory lane. We spoke about so many things from Apogee's, to Thresholds Stasis SA/12e amps, CJ's Prem8A's, our beloved Infinity's, our dealership years, and the glory days of rugby. I'll miss him very much and thought this pic deserves a mighty WOOF compared to any other highebd audio gear.

I'll keep it brief as possible:
1. Although I have a passion towards stats, and just adore the CLX's, there's simply no other speaker system I rather own at this stage, there are a few I'd like to have as a secondary system.
Alsyvox is that one, it's just superb and extraordinary in every aspect. High efficiency, not difficult to drive, thanks to the Neodymium's and an excellent build and finish. Exotic to the core!

It's a bit difficult to rank other panel types, mainly because of so many variables... but I must say, Maggie's take the podium in terms of vfm. Other ones, such as Diptyque and GT Audio Works are tops! And mustn't forget Sanders ESL's, his former models were known as Inner Sound, and they were very good! My only disappointment was not being able to audition any of the Clarisys line, none were available, so I wouldn't know how they stack up to the well recognised panel systems. Perhaps on my next round, hopefully one of those chaps may have one.

2. CJ's top of the line ART Class A gear:
This particular series is truly top class! From the ART27A to the ART108A's, there's absolutely nothing lacking. The only issues may be for those who prefer XLR connections and a fully balanced system... CJ amongst a few others, simply don't provide XLR connectivity. Whether there are compromises between SE and XLR, I can't say. As long as you keep things simple, short signal paths and good grounding, either config should prove effective.
My main focus on that trip was to experience CJ's top of the line, since in Aus we don't have the full line up. The other main point of interest was for me to directly experience these amplifiers on CLX's and since my good mate had that very system, it was a marvel to experience!

Similarly, if those amplifiers can effortlessly handle the notorious impedence swings that stats put forward then I'm sure these amplifiers can very easily handle a vast range of speakers, mainly due to its Class A designed Output stage. Even the smaller ART27A can pack a serious punch but when I first auditioned it, it was driving the Avant Garde Duo XD's, another superb match!
On an earlier occasion, I've auditioned the ART150 driving ML Ren15a's, which was fantastic! Also have auditioned Pass Labs XS300's driving ML Neoliths and Pass Labs XA160.8's driving the Ren15a's. I also really really enjoyed my time spent with the Vitus SS-103 and the PL XA60.8 amps driving ML stats. So if and when the time comes to divorce the tooob camp and head back to SS-ville... I'd be deciding between the PL XA60.8 or the Vitus SS-103. Or whatever models are available during that production run.
I'm not sure if the above addresses your question 2...I just tried my best to answer.

3. CJ's Class A amplifiers:
All of CJ's gear, that is mostly their power amplifiers are Class AB. Some of their previous SS gear, such the MF2300A, Premier350 and MF2550SE have a bit more Class A bias before switching into AB. Apart from measurements, you can certainly feel the control, authority and total grip these amplifiers have on difficult loads. At the same time, their effortless power and finesse... along with that sheer sense of musicality. It's limitless!
Before JF took over, it was primarily Class AB on their tube gear as well. Even their top of the line preamps were all based on Class A circuits. The last time I had my CT5 modded by my CJ techie, he showed me the circuit first hand and explained the differences between standard tube circuits and Class A tube circuits. It was truly a remarkable thing to see up close.

JF has been with CJ Design long enough to fully understand how and what exactly is required to surpass every top model they've ever produced. They did have a few prototypes but it was never finalised. Until JF took over the full ownership and design, he was able to focus on a handful of selected gear. Something that has to impress and truly shock the heck out of the norm... this is the new ART Class A series.

It's superb in very sense of the word "amplification." From the neutrality in tone to the naturalness, getting totally out of the way, as if there's no preamp at all... then powering, controlling and effortlessly driving the speakers to dynamic levels that I've not experienced yet being so musical at the same time, is just a heart stopping experience. And I'm thinking, the better or higher quality gear you'd partner with CJ's Class A series, the more that level of performance is enhanced! For example, CJ used to have Wilson's (Slamm) as their main reference speakers. Many many top line CJ Premier series amplifiers were voiced around the Wilson's. Well that was a few decades ago... now JF exclusively uses Zellaton speakers, and although I've not heard any of their top line, only the lower end versions, I can confirm they are another unbelievable match with high quality tube gear. The Zellaton speakers are very high performance systems, SOTA at its finest!

Anyway, now that I'm well aware of what JF is capable of and how he manages to do it with the well known KT88 tube is mesmerising! No fancy SET design here, no other bells or whistles, just a simple damn tube circuit, executed with the highest quality parts, and having the shortest possible signal paths just sounds right!

Here's pops, the only regret I had was that he couldn't audition CJ's top of the line with me. At 90 it's not easy to be flying around long haul. Heck! Even for myself, big dog frame... those planes are getting smaller & smaller each time I fly. I can't be getting any bigger... ? hell no!

Cheers to all, and keep safe! This one's for pops.
WOOF! RJ

 

[LL21]

Thank you, Big Dog RJ. Very detailed, very enthusiastic and colorful descriptions of the CJ experience. Having owned CJ for nearly 20 consecutive years, I have some appreciation for your experience, but have not actually heard any of JFs designs which have been released since he firmly stepped up to the helm.

Sounds like he has thrown down the gauntlet. Fantastic.

And yes, I do know he really really likes the Zellatons...I remember him telling me about them once on a call. Great to hear he has since gone on to use them as one of this tools.

 

[LL21]

And great family picture!!!!!