As the PV 11 that arrived today is the first tube preamp I have ever owned and only the first real preamp I have ever owned besides a dbx back in the early 90s it is not a difficult review for me to do. Obviously it is the best preamp I have ever owned and I liked it right off the bat it has a sense of realism and good Dynamics and transparency. Since I have not owned other tube equipment I can't compare it to other pieces that are similar but it seems to be an amplifier that would match better or worse with different equipment and I assume all of the PV series preamplifier is from Conrad Johnson would be the same in that regard. It definitely does sound like a tube preamp and that's why I bought it I wanted to own at least one piece of tube equipment during my life. I will probably keep this amplifier forever I really like the way it sounds but at the same time I can see why some people would pay more for something better. Unfortunately I am using this preamp with a power amplifier that is not very good and also all of my good speakers are not currently being used so I'm very limited as far as how good it can sound but with the equipment I'm using I really like it. It is very quiet and when I started playing Phantom of the Opera original Broadway musical I got scared at the beginning because it sounded like the performance was in the room for a second. Voices have very good sound also with this preamplifier. As far as the other review that is completely negative about this preamplifier I would estimate that there was something wrong with it or it had been repaired with very cheap parts? This preamp is definitely not lifeless it has awesome life to it even more so then my 1977 Fisher RS 1080.... OK an update I connected this amplifier to a different stereo system with a slightly better amplifier and better speakers and giving this anything else besides a 5 out of 5 rating is just ridiculous this amplifier is incredible I feel like I'm transported back to the 60s listening to the association and Chad and Jeremy just awesome and to be honest with you I actually cried when I listen to it like the others that were rating this preamp.

As far as weaknesses go I think I read somewhere on another review that this amp brings out flaws if the recording is not really good and I would tend to agree with that the bass can be a little exaggerated but I actually have a pair of speakers that might benefit from that fact but have not hook them up yet.....yes once connected to different speakers the bass sounds really good....And just in case anyone I looked this preamp up on YouTube don't pay attention to how it sounds on YouTube it sounds completely different and better actually listening to it. Just make sure that if you buy one you get it professionally serviced and pay the money to get it cleaned and recapped unless it's already been done.

The cj pv11 its the worst pre-amp i ever owned, it can be deemed lifeless, flat and lacking in upper atmospheric space in sound staging, very disturbing. I managed to get rid of it within 3 month, the fastest equipment replacement in my hifi journey.
Btw, its sounds warm though ...that's all!

Makes music, not sound Can make me cry Can't bear to turn it off

They stopped making them Can still make me cry Really can't bear to turn it off

A previous reviewer wrote, "This preamp stole my heart." Perfectly put. It stole mine in 1993 and has never failed me or the music. Fast but never harsh, lively but never glaring, layers and soundstages in an entirely natural way, warm only in the way that human voices and acoustic instruments are warm. What more could one ask? Well, maybe a Premier 17 someday! Until then you can listen to my PV11 if you wish, but you can't take it away. I note that the two negative reviewers bought used units at remarkably low prices, especially considering they bought from dealers. Makes one wonder what the dealers knew, and didn't tell them, about the damaged goods. A new PV11 was a gift from the audio gods. Knowingly selling a damaged used one was a crime against the audio gods. Especially sad that one victim refused c-j's offer to repair his because he thought it would take too long. He needed a complete diagnostic and it was over the holidays, what else did he expect? I'm sure c-j would have done a fine job, or honestly told him if it wasn't worth it. Too bad he never gave them a chance. 5.1? 6.1? 7.1? 15.1? Yeah, sure. Maybe once c-j figures out how to stuff that many tubes into a chassis. Until then, my PV11 and two Nautilus 803's will do very nicely. After ten years my PV11 is still performing remarkably. Next step? Supplement my old but sturdy SAE 200w/ch amp with a c-j MV-60 or Premier 11a and biamp the Nautilus. S/S control for the bass plus c-j tubes for the mids/highs. Come on over and enjoy!

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Had a Phase Linear 4000 (really!) from 1975 until it died in 1993 Demoed Adcom and Sonographe S/S preamps at home before trying the PV11, gave them back without any regrets.

sound,looks reputation

piece of junk,poor quality build

i bought this unit from a highend dealer in philly he let me have it for $700 and a old pioneer elite cd player,at first i thought it looked good and sounded ok,but after a while i realize i made a mistake,i have owned several cj amps in the premier series but never owned a cj preamp,i wanted this one to match my cj 11 amp,first couple of days i noticed the sound as flat almost generic sounding,no life at all i tried different tubes but that did not help,i did notice that it took over 3 minutes for any sound to come out when turned on,i realize tubes must warm up but this seemed extra long ,i had read on the boards of several other people having this same problem,all that aside the sound is pitiful to say the least,and cj is no help at all i read that their customer service is great ,what a laugh.i was told if i sent it back in nov 2000 i would not see it til feb 2001 or longer,plus the help on the phone was useless,in side by side listening test this unit fell miserably,i hope this is a one in a millon unit and i feel bad to rank it so low but i would warn all that consider it to be careful,also i have sold my cj tube amp because i no longer feel i can trust cj service,this unit was used with the following a cj tube amp premier 11,a micromega cd player.,ml logans krell d/a converter krell power amp

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arc sp9,mac 34v, audioble illusion 3a

I've used only a few other preamp's before the pv-11. It was recommended by my dealer and it's a funny thing also, when I went in to compare it to my sonic frontier's piece at the time, there was a gentleman there buying a pair of Gershman speaker's. So I asked this person if he has ever heard the pv-11. He say's to me, "that's the preamp I own". What are the chances of this happening? Well, turns out me and this person exchange tele #'s and we become good audio friends over the years. He's helped me alot and I owe so much of my success in finding great music to him. Thanks Mike! Now the cj preamp gets connected to a system for me to hear. The setup was a Krell cd player, the CJ pv-11 pre, Cary 805 amp's and Roger LS3/5a speaker's. The sound was one of the best I've ever heard. The cj had just as much detail (maybe more) as the sonic frontier's but was much more musical, fuller and natural sounding. It sounded so good that I bought the pv-11. It has been with me for some time and I don't think I'll ever let it go. I hear all the music through it. It's very transparent, soundstaging and imaging champ with a great midrange, extended top, open sound, man I can go on and on but why? It's just a great piece. I've been into NOS tube's lately and I just enjoy putting in great 12AU7's and listening to this baby sing.

looks

build

This review is on the CJ PL- 11 linestage preamp, while I must say I am a CJ fan in fact I think the best amp I ever owned was the premier 11a, the pre is a piece of junk, the sound on the unit was good but I had it for 1 year, in that time I had to have it repaired 4 times by CJ it is a weak product and a poor unit from such a great company, if you are considering a CJ preamp don’t! I would recommend you to keep looking as I said this unit sounded excellent had great bass and treble but broke down more than a yugo, and had less miles than a yugo.i spent over $1200 having it repaired in a year.i would not recommend this unit only because of the repairs

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arc 9sp,quicksilver,dynaco e,ml aerius,rega planet mac amp,cj amp etc.

Quiet, clean, superbly detailed and musical, perhaps the best non- Premiere CJ pre ever.

It was replaced by the PV-12

This is a great preamp. CJ customer service is top shelf, and anyone who thinks otherwise has simply never called them. I bought this pre used from the original owner 3 years ago, and I have yet to find a pre that could best it. Cheers

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PV-10AL, AI Modulus 3A, BAT VK3i, VK5i, Rogue 66.

Utter Realism

No remote - (only for those who are lazy) - I prefer the hands-on experience when using audio gear

This preamp stole my heart. Based almost totally on various reviews in Stereophile, I purchased this preamp new in 1992. I have made no changes to my audio system since, except for the amp. I purchased (again based mostly on reviews) the Muse Model 160 amp in 1995. This combination is magic with my Acoustat Spectra 1100's. The difference between my orginal rig, which was an NAD preamp/tuner (which I still own and is excellent for the price) and an Adcom 100 wpc amp (also still around, but in a different room in my house)compared to the CJ/Muse combo is almost laughable. The PV11 is simply one of the most musical preamps you can own. I've had mine since 1992 and have no intentions of selling it. The little red LED has been on for most of those 8 years (I seldom turn it off, except for all the thunderstorms here in the Orlando area), and is a more than an on/off indicator - it's a true indicator of musical enjoyment. If you can survive on a 2-channel sound system, like I have (I'm amazed at the number of "audiophiles" who've been duped into home theater), then you need a preamp like the PV-11. There are no better preamps anywhere near the price, it is extremely reliable (never had a problem), and it looks great even after all these years (mine is black with white lettering). If you can find one, buy it - but you can't have mine :)

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NAD, Adcom, Phase Linear, Onkyo

Tonality,Timbre,sheer musicality,ability to "tune" sound with different tubes.

No major ones,especially at this price point

Maybe it's just synergy,but this preamp is the best I've had in my system yet.I'm using it with a CJ Premier 11 amplifier,and it is a great match.(although I've heard it with Bryston and ARC amps where it sounded great too.My system is CD-based and these
tubed electronics make a huge difference in curing the edgy,harsh sound of most CDs.
Compared to the ARC LS3 it replaced, the PV11L is smoother, has much sweeter highs,is equally as tight in the bass and not nearly as cold and analytical(although I didn't realize the LS3 had these attributes until I got the PV11--Admittedly the LS3 isn't bad in these areas,just not as good as the CJ.And I still consider the LS3 a best buy in ss preamps-and superior to ARC's more recent gear).soundstaging & focus are excellent,as is rhythm and pace.Anyone considering a CJ PV10A needs to find a PV11 to compare it to.For not much more $$, you'll get a lot more preamp.
It uses 2 12AU7s in the linestage,and
tube rolling is definitely in order.I've tried many,and my 2 favorites are RCA Cleartops and the best of all-Amperex 7316s(these are somewhat rare,but available
if you look around,and are expensive.But you only need 2 and they last a long time--don't cut back here-these tubes are that good and are also great in other 12AU7 appications).All in all, this is one sweet preamp, from a company with exemplary customer support,and with excellent parts and build quality.

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Audio Research LS3(Stereophile Class A )
Conrad Johnson PV10A
Audible Illusions 3 &3A
CJ PV12

Always enjoyable, excellent bass and bloom to most records, excellent phono section, quiet

slightly diffused soundstage, upper bass/ lower mid range slightly recessed

This preamp takes the edge off of CD's and makes the whole experience easier on the ears. Much like a live classical performance the soundstage is slightly diffused but easy on the ear. Slightly softens transients. Great bass and bloom which adds some body to CD's but not to an extreme. Very quiet . After my Audio Research SP9 and counterpoint 1000, I though all tube preamps were a bit noisey but not the Conrad Johnson PV11. If you have a solid state system you might be amazed at what transformation a good tube preamp can do to the sound. You are more drawn into the sound rather than having it in your face. The sound is just more natural. Bought the preamp used for $1,500. CAD.
The treble and mid range are excellent but in a different way from solid state. This preamp will become a classic!

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Macintosh C712, Classé 5, Bryston 11b, Audio research SP9, Counterpoint 1000