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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET250S Amplifier (SS) by Luminator

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REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET250S Amplifier (SS)

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Model: ET250S
Category: Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $7500.00
Description: hybrid tube/solid state power amp
Manufacturer URL: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)
Model Picture: View

Review by Luminator on August 11, 2008 at 11:43:29
IP Address: 66.47.253.226
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for the ET250S


We already know that, in the early 90s, some audiophiles vilified Conrad-Johnson for making solid state gear. I overheard some of them yell, "Sell out!," "Traitors!," and "This is the beginning of the end."

At the 2008 CES, my audio buddies reported that CJ had a power amp which combined two small-signal tubes (6DJ8/6922/7308) in the voltage gain stage, and bi-polar transistors in the output stage. While some audiophiles saw this as the best of both worlds, others argued that it was an abomination, an affront to the senses.

In the spring, one of said audio buddies had this tube/solid state "hybrid" ET250S. I didn't give a damn about the ET250S' technology; I just thought it looked cool! I was reviewing CJ's Premier 18LS preamp, so why not grab the ET250S? I took it home with me.

For those of you who follow my xanga blog, you've already seen the review. But for those of you who are doing a search, or just need a little help, here it is:

Part 1 : introduction
Part 2 : IEC jack, binding posts, inputs, polarity
Part 3 : innards
Part 4 : powerline conditioning, turn-on, some 6922s
Part 5 : more 6922s
Part 6 : Plexiglas cover, tube dampers
Part 7 : report card
Part 8 : Premier 18LS, 6DJ8s

It's very hard to pin down the sound of the ET250S. It responds to interconnects and tubes. And like all power amps, the ET250S sits near the end of the chain, so it completely depends on ancillary gear.

I will say that it was consistent in driving the speakers we threw at it. To an extent, price didn't matter. The ET250S was as excellent with the Sonus Faber Concertino, as it was with SF's Guarneri Memento. At the same time, if a speaker truly is superior to another (as the GM is to the Concertino), the ET250S will not hide that fact.

It was fascinating to push the ET250S further and further. Adding top-notch sources such as the dCS Puccini and Simaudio Andromeda proved that the ET250S was capable of revealing the added resolution provided by these two fine players. Moreover, adding the Nordost Odin cable loom proved that the ET250S had more in store than the lesser cables (such as Nordost's own Valhalla) could provide.

Though the ET250S takes up significant rack space, it isn't as heavy as, say, the Mark Levinson No. 431. But when you move the ET250S, make sure you don't cut your wrists/forearms on the side-mounted heatsinks. The ET250S gives off no more noise and heat than other well-designed solid state amps. Do provide a few inches of clearance space around and above the unit.

I know more than a few audiophies who are upset that CJ don't incorporate balanced (differential) operation in to their gear. But as long as your preamp (a) has sufficient volume control range, and (b) is sufficiently high-resolution, you shouldn't miss balanced operation at all.

It's easy to look at the hybrid ET250S, and let those doubts creep into your mind. My friend Donald, for example, thinks this is "half-ass," and "the worst of both worlds." But when he closes his eyes, and lets his ears judge, he relinquishes the bias. Even he has to admit that the ET250S allows the music to "breathe." Music doesn't sound as canned and pre-programmed.

Versus the very best, the ET250S loses some focus; some of the soundstage's ultimate reach, scope, scale, and dimensions; some of the music's true grip. But what remains is very involving. There's nothing sloppy, disjointed, gummy, slurred, truncated, jammed, or forcefully propelled.

Get yourself a sympathetic speaker, and the ET250S will be like sitting around the campfire. The campfire's light illuminates the faces of those sitting around the fire. Inevitably, there comes a moment when everyone shuts up, and the shy guy speaks. Staring into the flames, he slowly but calmly admits his faults, which, quite frankly, shock the others, and shatters their pre-conceived images of the guy. And then, one by one, everyone else reveals his or her sins. You look around at the others, and you realize that, whatever your images of these people, each one is human. And though it hurts to admit we're flawed, it is liberating to let it out, and to know that no one is without sin.

I could use the normal audiophile lingo to describe the ET250S. But I'm not going to that here. You can go back to my blog, and infer all of that. But ever since I brought the ET250S into my own home, my 2-year-old "discovered" KC & The Sunshine Band. He bops and points. And he now loves singing along to "Boogie Shoes," "Get Down Tonight," "Give It Up," "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty," and "That's The Way (I Like It)." And this, more than any audiophile jargon I can wax poetic, captures the essence of what the Conrad-Johnson ET250S is about.

-Lummy The Seahorse


Product Weakness: inverts polarity, runs somewhat warm, no balanced inputs, inputs located next to binding post, does take half a minute to come on
Product Strengths: worthy of the best ancillary equipment, 15A IEC jack, easy on tubes, no turn-on thump, slightly lower-than-average voltage gain


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Conrad-Johnson MV-60SE; Mark Levinson No. 431; Simaudio W-8
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): COnrad-Johnson Premier 18LS; Mark Levinson No. 326S; Simaudio P-8
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega P9/Koetsu Jade Platinum/EAR 324; dCS Puccini; Esoteric DV-60; Simaudio Andromeda
Speakers: Martin Logan Aerius i; ProAc Response One SC; Sonus Faber Concertino, Cremona Auditor, Grand Piano Home, Guarneri Memento; Thiel CS2.4; Totem Forest, Mani-2 Signature, The One
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost Odin; XLO Limited Edition
Music Used (Genre/Selections): rock, pop, metal, Hawaiian
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Nordost Thor; Power Wing
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) ET250S Amplifier (SS) - Luminator 11:43:29 08/11/08 ( 4)