@jfrech Oh that’s good to know!
I would have to try out the sound signature they give together for sure .
Do you use some kind of transformer? Or just a cable with adapters?
I got away from 35 years as a CJ aficionado by the inverse path.
I had an ET7s2, TEA1, and pair of LP275Ms at one house. I bought a used LS28 to flip, but decided to listen to it before flipping. I’d had many ARC preamps paired with CJ amps before, and had always preferred CJ.
In this case it was different. The LS28 msrp was about 2/3’s as much as the ET7s2’s, but was noticeably clearer and more articulate. Long story, but I did not flip the LS28. Instead I bought a Ref 75 SE to pair with it for a system in another house.
When we consolidated systems when downsizing to one primary house, all the CJ gear was sold and the ARC gear was upgraded. No sellers remorse.
With the onset of the tube crisis, I switched to Burmester for amp and preamp. An unexpected HUGE advantage is that I can leave the SS gear on 24/7 and it sounds even better on this state than after an hour warmup from standby.
I am still using an ARC Ref 3SE as phono preamp. It crushes the onboard mc phono preamp installed OEM in the Burmester preamp.
YMMV. Your ears, your system. In my system ALL the CJ was eventually pushed out in direct comparisons to current ARC models.
Back to RCA vs XLR, this is another one of those meaningless lifetime arguments. Is analog better than digital, are stat panels better than cones, is jazz better than rock ‘n roll… you know them all. RJ did not like the CJ pre to ARC amp via adapters. If you are a cable denier, you might not mind. Try it and see.