Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J) EF-1 Phono Preamp by jd29631@bellsouth.net

Model:	EF-1
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	Solid-state phono preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Conrad-Johnson (CJ,C-J)

Review by jd29631@bellsouth.net on January 10, 2010 at 13:47:38
IP Address: 74.248.242.75 Add Your Review
for the EF-1

I used one for 8-10 years with a C-J PFR preamp. This was a GREAT phono preamp for the money. Dead neutral. Reviewed by Martin Collums for Stereophile who loved it. Me too. I would have kept it except I wanted a Dynavector 17D 3 cartridge and the EF 1 only had just over 50 db gain and I needed 60db. The customer service rep at C-J said many people were looking for this unit as well as the PFR. Sold mine very quickly to a guy in Atlanta and he loves it. Used with Sumiko Bluepoint Special and Blackbird.

Product Weakness:	Not enough gain.
Product Strengths:	Neutral, clear and crisp. Absolutely quiet. Trouble free.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Electrocompaniet A100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): C-J PFR
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Well Tempered
Speakers: von Sweikert Vortex Screens
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber PBJ
Music Used (Genre/Selections): jazz, classical, rock
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: 8-10 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Tiffany
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Electrocompaniet A100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	C-J PFR
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Well Tempered
Speakers:	von Sweikert Vortex Screens
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber PBJ
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, classical, rock
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	8-10 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Tiffany
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner