Conrad Johnson PV 12 vs PV1

[billyz]

You won’t see any bulging caps because CJ only used film caps in the PV12. Even the power supply caps are film . A great pre amp. I currently have a set of JAN 6189’s in the 12au7 line stage section. I highly recommend those for the pv12 .

 

[vintageadict]

You won’t see any bulging caps because CJ only used film caps in the PV12. Even the power supply caps are film . A great pre amp. I currently have a set of JAN 6189’s in the 12au7 line stage section. I highly recommend those for the pv12 .

Thanks for the suggestion. I ordered a set and will give them a shot.

 

[vintageadict]

Billyz,

When I turn the volume pot on mine it makes noise that sounds like grinding or metal rubbing against something. It’s fairly smooth but that sound is concerning. This is not through the speakers but in the physical pot itself. I get a small amount of static with volume adjustment but it’s faint. Have you experienced this with yours?

 

[billyz]

Billyz,

When I turn the volume pot on mine it makes noise that sounds like grinding or metal rubbing against something. It’s fairly smooth but that sound is concerning. This is not through the speakers but in the physical pot itself. I get a small amount of static with volume adjustment but it’s faint. Have you experienced this with yours?

No. The volume pot should be an Alps black box if I recall. Smooth as butter .

 

[zackthedog]

Might just be the knob rubbing against the faceplate. Try unscrewing the knob and backing if off a bit.

 

[vintageadict]

Might just be the knob rubbing against the faceplate. Try unscrewing the knob and backing if off a bit.

Thanks. Actually the first thing I did but to no avail. There is definitely some rubbing in the pot. I tried to hit it with some deoxit but it's tough to get to, even with the cover off. Probably is the ALPS, black box. Not labeled but fits that description. It works but I'll replace it if it can't be improved. I read a few other threads where people have replaced it with a TKD volume control and said it was a nice upgrade. No rush for me now.

 

[vintageadict]

You won’t see any bulging caps because CJ only used film caps in the PV12. Even the power supply caps are film . A great pre amp. I currently have a set of JAN 6189’s in the 12au7 line stage section. I highly recommend those for the pv12 .

I got the Jan 6189’s NOS. I really like them even though they probably need some burn in time. Thanks!

 

[billyz]

So I was able to open up the preamp and peek inside today. No signs of work that I see. No bulging caps or anything of note other than typical dust. The tubes are all unbranded. The 12ax7 in the phono stage just say Yugoslavia

Those are probably the original 12ax7’s. The Yugo 12ax7’s are actually very good. It is expensive to get better if they are still quiet. I am running a RCA blackplate 5751 in the other phono tube socket. I can highly recommend that one. I don’t remember but it might be a triple mica spacer. I always reverse my speaker leads because my pv12 is paired with a Premier 11a and that is the way CJ specifically recommends to connect that combo. I once asked a CJ tech about the massive gain and the need to run the volume down low. He said that was actually a good thing for Signal to Noise ratio. After that I never gave it a second thought. You can actually run a low output moving coil without a head amp or stepup transformer. But my system sounds better with a stepup transformer. Koetsu signature rosewood.

 

[vintageadict]

Those are probably the original 12ax7’s. The Yugo 12ax7’s are actually very good. It is expensive to get better if they are still quiet. I am running a RCA blackplate 5751 in the other phono tube socket. I can highly recommend that one. I don’t remember but it might be a triple mica spacer. I always reverse my speaker leads because my pv12 is paired with a Premier 11a and that is the way CJ specifically recommends to connect that combo. I once asked a CJ tech about the massive gain and the need to run the volume down low. He said that was actually a good thing for Signal to Noise ratio. After that I never gave it a second thought. You can actually run a low output moving coil without a head amp or stepup transformer. But my system sounds better with a stepup transformer. Koetsu signature rosewood.

Glad you mentioned the massive gain in the phono stage. I was wondering about that since it is much louder than the line stage with the phono preamp that I am using. I have some RCA 12ax7's that I am going to try. 1960's grey plates. I actually forgot to reverse the speaker wires when hooking up my ADS L1290's (Richard So was working on the drivers). I switched them last night as I thought it sounded off. Made a big difference.

Do you think the 5751 or the 12au7 in the phono stage has much of an affect on the sound?

 

[billyz]

Everything affects the performance of this Preamp. 12au7 are only in the line stage. You will like the RCA's , they are always a solid performer.

 

[gwendal]

Hi , i am about to get a JC pv1 available around the corner for rather cheap ( wich is pretty random as i live in french deep country side ) , before i jump into it i d love to hear people that have own one s feedback ^^ !

 

[ceylon]

Not exactly what you're looking at, but here's my experience.

I have a PV6, the final evolution of the PV2/2A/2AR series. Both its line stage and phono stage are very full and detailed. No warm, mushy, dark tubey sound here.
It's driving a BGW 100 WPC 250D amp, which is powering recently-acquired ADS L710s. This is the most complimentary grouping of components I've had yet for this second system, and it all is simply wonderful.

One thing I feel is mandatory with this preamp, is to pair it with an amp with gain pots. As is, the preamp is very hot, its output gain is 28 dB. That means with most amps (without gain controls), you have very little range of volume knob motion, so finding the sweet spot can be frustrating. Also, any setting much beyond 9:00 on the knob will be driving you out of the room.

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man, is that true! i got a set of L150s, which aint the most effecient speakers out there, and with my power amp pots all the way up 9 o clock on the c-j is brutal. i was shocked.