This is a modest system that I put together with used components a few years ago but which still sounds fabulous to me. I had to have the woofers on the Snell Type A speakers reconed when I got them, but since that they have been astonishing for such a modest investment. The combination of the solid state amp driving the Snells and the sweet but detailed CJ PV-10 with the Rega Planet as a source is a great combination. I hear more and the music comes through more fully with this system than directly into a Headroom Cosmic amp with Sennheiser HD-600 headphones (which sounds pretty good).
On the downside, the Rega/Grado combination is not up to the level of the rest of the system (or it may possibly be the phono stage in the CJ). I am looking at upgrading the Rega (wiring, counterweight, VTA) and upgrading to a better cartridge (Sumiko?). I'd possibly add a phono stage too (the CJ sounds even better with with the phono stage tubes unplugged).
The biggest improvement I've made so far to the system was putting up some sound treatment in the ceiling corners and back wall. Second best, was the PBJ interconnects. I'd really like to try some better Kimber or low end Nordost cables in the system along with better power cables. Update 10/20/2015: Upgraded to Kimber Hero interconnects all around- more air and a bit more natural in the mids with tightened detailed bass. Completely rebuilt Snells, replaced dried out electrolytic caps which I measured 50-100% over value (how were they even working???), updated to Kimber TCSS hook-up wire, bypassed driver fuses (only ever blew the woofer fuse before I realized they needed reforming), rebuilt tweeters with fresh ferrofluid, added acoustastuff damping to augment/replace the yellow fiberglass damping. Added a Musical Fidelity V-DAC modified with upgraded op-amps, power supply caps, and output caps (Mundorf Supremes), AppleTV, and Raspberry running Volumio. Also replaced the output caps in the C-J PV-10B with Solen Teflon caps. The work took 4 months of nights and weekends, transforming my living room into a chaotic sea of drivers, caps, sawdust, tools, and wires as well as leaving me with only the speakers in a Sony Bravia tv to listen to. Currently burning it all in while out of town, can't wait to listen again when I get home.
I appreciate the work you've done to pull this system together. I have no doubt it sounds wonderful! The Snell Type A really caught my attention. I heard them regularly at a friend's house many years ago (1980-82) and I was mesmerized. I'd love to hear them again. I understand the Type A III had a 12-inch woofer. You've probably seen this 1984 review in Stereophile, but thought I would share it anyway: https://www.stereophile.com/content/snell-type-loudspeaker-larry-greenhill-snell-type-aiii
Awesome system. I am a big fan of Conrad Johnson equipment myself. I currently own the Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000 amplifier and the PV-12 preamp. I also had owned their PF-2 preamp in the past. I find their sound to be unparalleled.
If you want to see my system you can find it here on "Conrad Johnson Owners.com". You may want to check the site out as it's a completely Conrad Johnson audio equipment dedicated forum site. Or you can just google "Conrad Johnson Owners". Kind of cool to have a dedicated site just for Conrad Johnson equipment.
Well, like I said. Congrats on the system it's really beautiful.
