C.J. LP140

The system the new Lp 140 Monoblocs was tested in was as follows: Nearfield Pipedream 21 system with 2 depthcharge subs . The Pipedream towers are powered by the LP 140 amps. The subs are passive and are fed through the Conrad Johnson Premier 350 solid state amp. The Conrad Johnson Act 2 is the preamp . All cables are Kubala Sosna Emotion , all Line conditioning is Sound Application Reference Line Stages . The CD source is the Fully upgraded APL from Alex Peychev with 6 dacs per channel . Isolation and stands are Sistrum , Symposium and Vibraplane. Frank Changs Resonators in Silver and Gold for Tweaks . Dedicated , isolated 10 gauge romex into a seperate subpanel and grounding rod into 6 Sound Application outlets provided power to the seperate Sound Application Reference Line Stage Conditioners. Musical evaluation discs include the SACD versions of both Modern Cool and Cafe Blue from Pat Barber , as well as various Diana Krall , Chris Rea , Telarc , Chesky and FIM discs. Axis dvd - a was used as well. This is a first impression based on 0-120 hours of listening and follow-up remarks will come later to complete the evaluation. I encourage questions . ... The Lp 140 Vacuum Tube amps are the latest from CJ. As many know , the company took a fresh direction with the introduction of Teflon caps and new topologies with the Premier LS 17 2 preamp , Premier 350 ss amp and Act 2 preamp. In my opinion , it blazed a new path for the company and I was sold on the direction some time ago. I have always respected the company . The humble attitudes , the conservative buisness model and reliable forward progression has been admirable. Many have loved their past gear for its heart and soul sound that was at once rich and multi layered with a bloodstained midrange that simply drew you into the music. Many on the other side of the fence saw the sound as having too much bloom and gravitated to gear like ARC. The new gear from CJ has bridged the gap in so many ways in my opinion . Its still captivating in the midrange with a luxuriousness that will not aleniate CJ fanatics but now aims both barrels at lifting "veils" at an astonishing pace. That said about the direction of the company and its latest products I will begin the review . {Without naming names and embarrassing the competion I can only state that I have had some well respected solid state and tube amps come and go. I know many of the owners of these fine companies and think highly of them . I will not go into what each amp failed on in comparison as my respect for them and their contributions to our industry are enormous .} ... Zero to 4 hours was an initial burn in as I left the home and started the grill .A great evening begs a great start . Coriander scented Muscovy duck breast fanned on an Asian inspired Mescalun salad with charcoal fruits and a port - balsamic reduction topped with seared thick slices of grade A fresh Sonoma Foie Gras sprinkled with a drop or two of rich honey and Fleur de Sel from the salt marshes of France began what I sensed as a special evening with the LP 140 Monoblocs. An Opus 1 , 96 slid down the rim of the crystal . I was expecting something special if my experience with the Act 2 and 350 was any indication . To quote someone , I think it was Michael Fremer , without descending into Hyperbole Hell, I will attempt to refrain from exaggeration . For me , capturing the recording space with all its nuances is a prime objective of mine. Gear changes and upgrades which often cost a fortune often yeild noticable albeit incremental improvements. You strain into improbability to discern these micro changes exclaiming " I KNOW you must hear that honey" as she rolls her eyes in frustration as she sinks effortlessly into " audio debt hell " . What I can say without hesitation is that what I used to kill myself to capture now exploded into my listening room . You would have to be deaf not to hear it. It was errie actually. The stage was alive in the room . You can very easily see into the soundstage as if it was all lighted in different colors. The seperation from front to back extended dramatically and this made it easy to hear each note in its complete form as it slipped into black. I guess I could say that it eleminated all congestion and was faithful to the recording in a respectful way. A friend came by who I went to high school with . He doesnt even know what an I Pod is so when he asked me to play Led Zeppelin "Presence" I almost cringed.It was an original copy from "the day " . Not the crummy but slightly better remestered version . I love every Zep disc but the mere thought made me sick .I obliged and sure enough , it sounded like I was microwaving metal. What goes in comes out with this gear. Magnificent recordings breathe with an organic presence that is romantic { in a good way of course } , full of air and detail and have a top end liquidity that makes cymbals shimmer unlike any single audio component I have ever experienced. Percussive instruments are attractive to me and the weight and snap is something I need . This amp is the Grand Master Champion in this regard. The decay of the notes were so obvious I was in shock . Vocals , male and female are unveiled and full of body and impact without a hint of strain . Chris Rea was having dinner with me it seemed and Eva Cassidy opened the wine God rest her sweet soul. Deep bass is extraordinary for a tube amp , nearly matching the control of the Premier 350.I put on Blue Man Group s The Complex and it blew through it with ease . This is all for now as I have another 200 hours to go. If it gets any better , I will marry it in a ceremony at the CJ factory . I say this because it was an agonizing break in pocess for both the Premier 350 as well as the Act 2. Right out of the box ,this work of art { oh , btw ,the pictures no NOT do this hunk of metal justice. Its gorgeous with its T bar shape, exposed tubes , lucite rings and killer curved metal gold face. The Premier 350 certainly is to be bought for its performance , not looks.No offense guys at CJ . Here , you are rewarded this time with something that is also a work of art !! }I will report back after 200 plus hours . I hope this enthisiastic review can be seen for what it is . It is an honest passionate non technical view from a rabid lover of audio. Thanks

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