December 21, 2012

• conrad-johnson CA200, Part 2

  How does the CA200 sound?  Bear in mind this $6,500 control amplifier replaced $18,000 in c-j Premier level preamplifier and amplifier equipment.  Please see parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 regarding the Premier 16LS2 and parts 1 and 2 for the Premier 140.  The CA200 has its work cut out for it not only in the almost three times price differential but also because I feel that electrostatic speakers such as the Quad ESL-989s have a natural affinity, in my opinion, for tube-based equipment.

  The following observations are based on 71 hours of playing time with the CA200 in stock condition with the exception of an original version Shunyata Taipan Alpha power cord connecting it directly to the wall outlet.  The sound of the CA200 changed over the course of settling-in with the major improvement being its bass response.

   

  Listening Impressions:

  • There is a more polite and delicate flavor to the CA200’s sound with an overriding sense of clarity.  This is evidenced by low-level detail on familiar recordings becoming apparent for the first time.
  • Bass response is less prominent but what is there is tight and tuneful with a "count the string's vibrations" quality.
  • Spoken voice is clear and natural.  Singers, both male and female, have a strong presence in the listening room.
  • Upper midrange and lower treble is more detailed giving transients sharper edges.
  • Upper treble is more extended but non-fatiguing.
  • The sound stage extends farther behind the plane of the speakers but does not project as much into the listening space.  There is more projection into the room as cumulative playing time increased although it never matches the diorama-like quality of the Premier configuration.
  • Lateral separation is excellent but extends beyond the outside boundaries of the speakers significantly less often.

   

  Future installments will cover the introduction of HiFi-Tuning aftermarket fuses and Mapleshade Megamount brass footers. 

   

  Update 12/23/12:  I tried plugging the CA200 into the Hydra 8 power conditioner and did not like the results.  It sucked a good deal of the upper treble out of the presentation. Although I've found the Hydra to work well with source components and preamplifiers, this is the third attempt with an amplifier, the previous two being the conrad-johnson Premier 11A and Premier 140, and the change has been consistent.  There is an increase in richness/midrange texture and a slightly blacker background but at the expense of upper treble and presence. 

  • 9:06 am
  • 7 Comments