Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) MV60 Amplifier (Tube) by audmanic@yahoo.co.uk

Model:	MV60
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2795
Description:	55-watt ultalinear/25-watt triode using EL34
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)

Review by audmanic@yahoo.co.uk on May 29, 2008 at 16:45:36
IP Address: 85.74.182.140 Add Your Review
for the MV60

Hello.

First of all some details about my system. The system contains Proac speakers, Musical Fidelity A5 (nu-vistor) CD player, Acoustic Zen Silver Reference Mk2 as the cable connecting the CD to the pre-amp, Placette Audio Remote Vishray-Resistors Passive pre-amp, Cardas Golden Reference from pre-amp to amplifier. I cannot find anything else better and believe me I tried a ton of interconnects. Those two in the places that they are, do the job so good that are truly reference (especially Golden Reference when carrying the signal from passive pre-amp to the amp and have no words enought to describe the combo with Acoustic Zen Silver Ref. mk2 [connecting the DAC or CD with pre] with Cardas G'R getting the signal. Resolution, transparency, detail, body, bass, delicacy , purity. Enough?
All of the equip. are connected with Golder Reference AC power cables into a Hydra Shunyata that is the best conditioner I tried and does not 'cotton' the transients or 'blur' the highs and the 'edge', loosing immediacy. Also Hydra, Cardas GR and AZ SR add so much liquidity giving also great amount of depth and height plus liquidity to the sound - they are legendary when matching together. The speaker's cable are: Acoustic Zen Satori for Bass drivers and Cardas Golden Presence for Tweeter. Thats enough.

And now going to the hot spot: The amplifiers. Before connecting the Conrad-Johnson I auditioned a Jadis Integrated with KT90. I liked the overall sound but lacking hi-freq. extension and the depth of stage I experienced with some other KT88-6550 amps (and I think KT90 shortens the depth of stage and is leaner in higher fr. spectrum but is very quick and immediate). Everything else was awesome. I suddenly removed the Jadis and place the MV60SE (with 6550) and -of course- the placette pre-amp passive.

The sound was like going from a Push-Pull of medium value to a powerful SET (oxymorous!).

MV60SE costs about $4000. Believe me the amplifier sounds glorious at any price. Glorious.

Fist, I tried to change the Electroharmonics 12AX7 with Tungsol 12AX7 gold pin. It gave me greater transparency, decreased and compressed the bass output and increased detail. But Electroharmonics where slightly softer in the mids. Then I changed to GE 12AX7 NOS gray-long plate. This was the combo for me. Some told me that they were dull-sounding in a pre-amp section and overly sweet on top, also loose on focus and imaging. I hear a slightly but slightly decrease of the immediate and strick sound of Electroharmonics but those GE gave the MV60SE extra touch of velvet with glorious uncompressed bass and slightly decrease in gain, the EH seemed a little more gutsy but everything was now...more magical.

I can recommend enough this amplifier, its the best I ever auditioned at the price point of $4000-$5000 (about 4000 euros in Athens). The purity of sound, the upper-to-low coherent sound of violins is unbelievable in this combo surpassing friends systems costing much-much more, the overall balance , the 'magical' vintage sweetness and the glorious soundstage, the extention both in treble (compared with Jadis) and down low, the control , all get 'A' . The sweetness in voices combined with the immediacy and resolution plus the transparency of the passive pre-amp all together took the sound to 'A+'. Dynamics and body of instruments (where a strong point of Jadis) go stronger even with the passive (!!!!) especially the body of singers , of classical instruments or of rock/jazz/blues recordings where weighter than Jadis (!! unbelievable). Jadis has a glorious golden glow and greater presence but Conrad gave me even more magic and offered more stage depth. Diana Krall sounds like more in my room, with all the glorious sound of tubes - missing nothing. Violin sonatas, symphonies like Beethovens or instruments of 1700 never sounded sweeter, more coherent and 'right'. I now believe the logo of Conrad ' It just sounds right ' . Totally. Imagine if I switch from 6550C to those outstanding KT88 of Gold Lion I own (from New sensor - the new version that is reverse engineered, a mirror of the past). I auditioned them on a Carry and my jaw is still on the floor - imagine what will be with MV60SE...!

A short note: If you listen to a lot of piano sonatas I suggest to stay with 12AX7 of EH or switch to Mullards. The GE12AX7 gray plate is great but the slightly soft top gives the feel of less air, a darker presentation and less punch. This is making you listen a little louder but switching back to EH12AX7 goes to the more 'strickt' , slightly harder on top but more 'real' on piano recordings, voices are still silky-smooths but GE goes the smoothness and velvet feel of violins and voices to the next level without the feel of loosing detail or transparency with my combos and cables.

In short words: MV60SE decreased the strong will I had to buy a SET to hear massive strings or voices better. It just don't go any further for an amp of such value. One of the greatest and mythical push-pulls I ever auditioned at a great price. Magic comes out of the speakers.... Try it with a great passive - no bass or dynamic lacks with Placette here !

Athens / Greece.

Product Weakness:	Believe me - nothing. You cannot sleep anymore for sure.
Product Strengths:	The magical purity, immediacy and weight of CJ brand all together. Soundstage depth, bass and treble glorious and velvet like nothing else.Everything is getting an 'A'. Tonality too. Makes me feel I dont need a SET anymore.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Conrad Johnson
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Placette
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity
Speakers: Proac
Cables/Interconnects: Acoustic Zen, Cardas
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, Rock.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Hydra
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Conrad Johnson
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Placette
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Musical Fidelity
Speakers:	Proac
Cables/Interconnects:	Acoustic Zen, Cardas
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Rock.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Hydra
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner