Conrad-Johnson Vacuum-Tubes Premier 9,10 & 11A : THE EMPIRICAL AUDIOPHILE

Welcome to the new Empirical Audiophile channel on used top end stereo equipment. After 50-years of being an audiophile I thought I would give some information on just how new audiophile can have great equipment, yet without breaking the bank to do so. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it is out dated or doesn’t sound great. I most cases older equipment from high-end manufactures sound as good or better than the new equipment presented today to audiophiles but without the cost. You will find out from an aerospace mechanical engineer just what equipment is worth your time to audition, how good it’s made and can it be made better to meet today’s audiophiles needs.

[@joeybaddour]

This gentleman is great. He’s showing off gear he actually owns while simultaneously educating us. You won’t find that on the big audiophile review channels. Thank you sir for your perspective.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

I appreciate that!

[@FaceTheStreets]

Seriously an amazing review. I loved it.

[@briancampbell7712]

please make a video playing your setup for all of us that enjoyed this video❗️😁🎶

[@AllboroLCD]

Your right on the money with everything you say here! My dream is to build a bass reflex VOTT cabinet, and do a Firstwatt kit amp. Nelson is right up there with CR.

[@CUDAbuster]

Heard the 846b for the first time in the late 80's and was amazed how much better they sounded than anything else that were the typical offerings of that time. It was so different than any of the home equipment then and was more refined than pro gear used in concert halls or clubs. Once my friend pulled the drivers out to take a look, I was completely enthused. They are massive and unfortunately, out of production even that long ago. Years later I was able to get the A-7s and a pair of 846A. I completely overhauled the inside the cabinets on both pair, using pro grade acoustic foam, but made diffusers from the foam for inside the 846As, which worked excellently and neutralized the ringing of the horn with no need to wrap the horn. The A-7s, I created a custom front baffle with port array and dampened it with spray foam. Built all new crossovers for the A-7 also. The low frequency dropped about 10hz, and the bass response is much more linear than the original setup- it takes a few more watts of input, but the overall sound quality top to bottom makes them sound much more refined than the standard voice of the theater configuration, yet still distinctly Altec. It is unfortunate that Altec stop manufacturing speakers like this long ago, because they truly are amazing and have few piers. The good aspect of it though, is that there are still enthusiasts of the Altec vintage gear and keep it going like classic cars.

[@seeburgm100a]

I agree whole heartedly. I have two pair of Altec 604s. One pair of close serial number 604C that came out of an audio shop in Ohio, these were the deceased owner's "extra" pair and never saw use. I mounted these in a pair of original 606 corner cabinets. The other set are early design 604D which are practically the same as the C. These I have in a pair of custom made 620 cabinets ported for the 604D. All 604's have GPA 16 crossovers that were modified to work better with the C and D. Then I have a set of Valencia A speakers all original. I power them all with tube gear, McIntosh for the Ds, HH Scott for the Vals and HK Citation I/VTA 70 kit on the C's. Each set up is magical in it's own right! NOTHING can be the midrange magic of an Altec speaker.

[@dbasarich]

Great video ..thank you. I just purchased an old CJ pv11 and am wanting to try it with my 1992 JBL xpl speakers. They are somewhat rare as they were a test speaker on the market to see if titanium was a good idea for a driver. JBL apparently lost money on the sale of the xpl series but the few people that bought and kept their xpl speakers know the quality of them.

[@ML-rm3vk]

Brilliant kit thanks

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

No problem 👍

[@SweatLaserXP]

I enjoyed much of your video. As far as now vs. 25 years ago, there are certain components that have advanced by orders of magnitude. One of those is loudspeakers, especially in the sub-$1,000 range. Another category is DACs, where there are so many compelling choices below $1,000. And with Class D, you could argue that you can get a ton of current for the dollar, depending on your listening tastes.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

Yes I have to admit subwoofers are definitely a great add-on. But as you notice a lot of your stereophile writers really don't use subwoofers they are hard to integrate just absolutely perfect and sometimes they prefer just to keep them out all together.

[@SweatLaserXP]

@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 I think for serious 2-channel music listening one shouldn't try to use a sub

[@SweatLaserXP]

@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 get a bigger room and some big floorstanders 😁

[@philbarone4603]

The guys absolutely right.

[@supertor100]

Never ever have items on the topp of your speaker. Thx for the upload, sir.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

I've been doing that ever since I've owned the speakers because they are so large and I myself have noticed no problems at all.

[@greymatter6834]

Very nice. Subscribed. Thanks for sharing. I have passed on 2 pairs of Altecs over the years. Practicality of size and restoration quotient. Enjoying modern MLogan Esl X electrostats. Estate sale find %75 off retail! Have a great one and look forward to more. Ps, I warmed up the tubes hoping you would play a tune. Maybe next time 😎

[@silviopimentel7247]

Wow I just found u by default and how I wish I had a audiophile friend such as yourself cause im getting back into audio. & been getting ripped off lately do to lack of experience. Great stuff. 👌 thanks for chering

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

Glad I could help

[@scottkasper6378]

I sent my mv 50 back for service and they called me and said “it needs $1750 worth of work. Or we can give you 1750 off the price of a new classic 62” I thought that was a no brainer

[@briancampbell7712]

have a chance to buy - is a Conrad Johnson Premier 140 or a Conrad Johnson Premier Eleven 11 A both really good tube amplifiers...? I imagine it would be a much better quality and hopefully better sounding tube amp than my dynaco st70 el34❓...I'm probably goinbto get the Conrad Johnson Premier Eleven 11 A... please share your thoughts🙏

[@Yeybeth]

Hi , I kno you know a lot of vintage amplifier, I got one stereo console and have a beautiful amplifier called: LE MART .. I try to find some in google or reviews. But is looks like I’m the only one I have .. did you know a blurb that brand ? And is good or not?

[@davidcharest6689]

Hi, great video and I believe me I am in the choir. I have a pair of Model 19's sitting in storage waiting to be appreciated soon, I hope. Any suggestions to get the most out of them without breaking the bank? The baffle re do and horn load may be an issue since it is a different design. Thanks again for the great presentation..

[@ronniebona359]

Hi I just came across your video thank you. Ironically I have a Manley stingray tube amp and a Conrad Johnson mf-200 from my late father so it is sentimental to me. I got so into audiophile lately and purchased Dynaudio heritage specials. I am only using the Manley stingray on my dynaudios and wanted to use the Conrad Johnson I honestly considers purchasing a new updated integrated expensive amp but now reconsidering after this video I am wondering if I should get a Conrad Johnson preamp to go with the mf200? And maybe use the Manley on a second system. Hope you respond thanks!!

[@LorenzoNW]

I'm very skeptical that a 25 year old Conrad-Johnson preamp could even begin to approach the sound quality of a new First Sound Paramount MKIII-SI Super Special Edition (S.S.E.).

[@dbasarich]

@MrSistemf I have been in the business for a while and even worked in an audio club(store) back in the early 90's ... I have had various equipment(high end and low end) from scott to Fisher...to modern Japan, modern American made and I am VERY happy listening to my restored 1991 Conrad Johnson pv11 and it's simplicity.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

There's only one way to find out, listen to it.

[@AllboroLCD]

gorgeous Altecs man!

[@mr.seanster]

I've always curious about CJ gears. I am using the AR LS26 and thinking of upgrading to CJ preamp. Wondering which one you recommend? I am willing to spend up to 5K.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

CJ still makes audiophile gear but it is now extremely expensive way out of my league. That's why the older stuff is more than worth the price of admission..

[@silviopimentel7247]

I found a pair of heressey's for 1200 cnd. Up here in Toronto Canada was wondering if it's a fair price

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

I think that's what I paid for mine brand new I hope they're in real good condition for that price.

[@59seank]

Please add the link you mentioned in the video.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

[e-mail]

[@leeseet2336]

Can I buy your conrad premier 10

[@silviopimentel7247]

Also wondering what u think about the conrad Johnson PV-3 pre ?

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

Very good preamp I think they look better than the Premier 10 actually and the Premier 10 is basically an update of the Premier three. Definitely a keeper

[@garytoddvolquardts126]

Which Conrad& J preamp do y’all recommend

[@ronniebona359]

Hi what pre amp can I put with the Conrad Johnson mf-200?? Thanks!!

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

I found that any of the Conrad Johnson preamps sound very good and you can't go wrong buying any one of them.

[@philbarone4603]

My Conrad Johnson is built like a brick you know what house.

[@philbarone4603]

Tell us about your turntable please.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

I will do a video on that coming up glad you're interested it has been modified a little bit.

[@SenakaSandagomiWeerawardena]

How shall I contact you? I'm from Sri Lanka.

[@theempiricalaudiophile3729]

[e-mail]

[@jamiemerrill3412]

I got sony speakers. 150 watts