[Vulcan00]

First this is not a negative post at all. I just want to understand "why". I have been exploring current SS power amps and particularly the Conrad Johnson new model MF2550. This stereo amp is sold state and reportedly, the best ever produced by CJ. In my research I have found many reviews professional or owners. I have seen a photo of the inside and it certainly looks nice and well built. Spec. wise this is a limited feedback circuit, 250 watts per channel from 20 Hz to 20 KHz at no more than 1.0 % THD both channels driven into 8 ohms.

Now here is my question is it's $4000 price tag worth it? or are you paying for the manufactures reputation and customer relations. The SE model is $6000.
Has anyone heard these amps? Do you think CJ will sell many of these amps with the AMP competition in  ~250w SS amps?

[tdinut]

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/conrad-johnson-mf2550se/?utm_campaign=Hi-Fi%2B+Weekly+Emails&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-268


I have no doubt that this amp sounds wonderful.

[Vulcan00]

I am bring my topic on the SS CJ new amps up again hoping someone has listening experience with these amps. There is no dealers close to me.

Thanks for any input,

Harrison

[Photon46]

Vulcan, if I were interested in the Cj amps and thought they might be of the quality I sought, I'd be more interested in experiencing how they perform in my system than what someone else thought. I've auditioned CJ gear by mail order from Spearit Sound in Massachusetts and they were very professional and ready to accommodate. I just gave them my credit card and they shipped with a trial period. I've bought several pieces from them and returned a couple. They also offer discounts on most CJ gear from what I see on their website. They are so many variables between people's sound systems and preferences that I think an audition is the only way to determine if a piece of gear is right for you. I've owned and auditioned gear that was praised to the moon by others that I found dull and mediocre. I've found the opposite situation to be true as well, pieces that others thought lacked merit, I found to be sublime.

[Vulcan00]

Photon46, wise points and I agree with your thoughts. I guess I hunger for more audio experience. I could listen to 100 different systems may be 1000, if that could be arranged. My problem is this forum is my only source for audio and have no actual opportunity to listen to equipment in my city. I have  on several occasions auditioned equipment by mail and I might just call Spearit.
However, I still would be interested in hearing any one experience with the CJ equipment, I tend to trust the wiser persons on this site rather than the Audio information stated by reviewers. But still your point about in home auditions are valid.

[Photon46]

Vulcan, it is popular to question the hearing ability, veracity, and motives of reviewers and many readers seem to think there's always a hidden agenda behind their reviews. While we've all read reviews that could reinforce that opinion, I'm also wary of giving much weight to reviews  from reader's postings on websites like this one UNLESS I know something about the history and experience of the person posting opinions. The one thing that many but not all reviewers have in their favor is a much broader base of experience than the average listener. How many times have we all read an online review by an enthusiastic new owner who's extolling the virtues of whatever new bit of gear they just bought and they'll say something like "the best amplifier I've ever heard." Well, that's a meaningless statement unless we know whether they've heard two amps or two hundred and what system contexts those experiences took place in. I've learned over the years what reviewers have prejudices and likes similar to mine and generally find their insights to be more helpful than random comments and opinions posted on websites. The unpredictability of all this and lack of agreement is what keeps the audio manufacturing merry-go-round in business I suppose

[a.wayne]

Photon46, wise points and I agree with your thoughts. I guess I hunger for more audio experience. I could listen to 100 different systems may be 1000, if that could be arranged. My problem is this forum is my only source for audio and have no actual opportunity to listen to equipment in my city. I have  on several occasions auditioned equipment by mail and I might just call Spearit.
However, I still would be interested in hearing any one experience with the CJ equipment, I tend to trust the wiser persons on this site rather than the Audio information stated by reviewers. But still your point about in home auditions are valid.

What speakers are you planning on driving with this amp ...?

[Vulcan00]

I have Salk HT2-TL now but I am consider a move up also.

[jarcher]

I heard it at CES a month ago. Sounded good but I wasn't blown away....and I am a fan of CJ and own four of their amps and three preamps (all tube). For great but warm solid state amps I'd go with Ayre or Hegel.

Photon is right : if your serious you need to in home demo, and as Spearit Sound has a special relationship with CJ and no other dealer can compete with them, hardly any actually stock any CJ. So basically your only real way to demo will be to either go to Spearit Sound or do an in home demo with them. If as Photon says they'll do so at no cost other than perhaps shipping, that's your best option.