Nakamichi.
Yesterday I went with a couple of friends to check out some horn speakers from a dealer across the bay. he has the speakers listed in Audiogon also. The speakers was tri-amp with 2 stereo 15w single ended and 2 mono amps placed behind the 2 stereo amps. The crossover/DAC/preamp is between the 2 stereo amps. The lower left is a grounding box ($22k). The middle is the $26k DAC. The right is a DIY Taiko streamer. As for the sound, it was a bit hollow I guess due to the resolance of air coming from the horn, if you like that kind of sound. Some people might like the spaciness of the sound, but it loses substance and density IMO. The highs and bass was also a bit subdued compare to what I’m used to. 4 12" drivers, but it sure didn’t sound like it. It did sounded quite nice and real with simple vocals and trumpets though, like music from Chris Botti. That’s where these speakers really shine.
I showed the pictures to my wife, and she could not stop laughing. When I showed her the asking price she laughed harder.
We both needed a drink after seeing that. ![]()
And if you and your wife heard what this system sounded like, We would have to pick you and her off the floor from laughing, and you both will need a bouble drink after that! ![]()
These speakers were at Axpona several years ago. They look like they were flying around in space before crashing to earth.
An odd demo IMO.
I have heard them and met quite a few people who only buy gear from that one company. It’s a cult. I was not moved to join. Those speakers are just too weird and I love weird speakers. Just not those.
Too kind…![]()
They remind me of the Demogorgons in Stranger Things.
New poweramps, and it seems I’m on my way back to vacuumtubes.. Along with a pair of Pass XA100.8s to replace the XA60.8s (which I’ll sell), I found TWO Conrad Johnson tubed, stereo amps, the Premier 140 introduced in 2003 and the current-generation ART150.. Have installed both in my system after removing the '100.8s…
…but have been concentrating on the '140.. They were designed to use 6550 output tubes, but ‘Mr. c-j’ recommended new-productionTung-Sol KT120s which I bought at Tube Depot in a tentet and saved over $200 at the ‘10’ price.. Frontend tubes are one 6922/6DJ8 and a pair of Russian 6H30s.. These sound GREAT driving my SoundLabs.. Haven’t yet tried the ART150.
Can you remind us of your speakers?
My friend has that ART150. A nice sounding amp.
Sound Lab Majestic G7-5Cs.
"PS Audio P20 AC-regenerator; custom, 8g., super-hi-purity, multistrand-copper AC-power cables feeding the P20, main poweramps, and front-end equipment.. Oppo UDP-205 discplayer driving a top-of-the-line Marantz AV10 pre/pro via AQ HDMI.. Long SnakeRiver Takshaka ICs driving the new/old Pass Labs XA100.8 monoamps, which drive the Sound Lab Majestic G7-5Cs thru AQ RobinHoodSilver cables.. Golden-Ear XXL subwoofers set at 40Hz.. Multichannel-music-surround portion adds a pair of main-surround HHR** polyradial** Walsh-type speaker systems and an Emotiva 11-channel poweramp.. The video-only portion adds a pair of ELAC B-6 rear-ceiling (ATMOS) speakers and a Magneplanar MGCC5 centerchannel speaker for dialog.. Audioquest and Furu-Tech AC-poweroutlets.. IsoAcoustic Oreas under most equipment.. Currently using a Massif all-solid-walnut front-end rack.. I listen mostly to large-scale Classical and film music from multichannel SACDs.. Am working on a less-digital SACD-playback system centered by a conrad-johnson 6-channel vacuumtubed MET1 preamp.. Just arrived for comparisons are conrad-johnson vacuumtubed ART150 and Premier 140 stereo poweramps.
There’s a pair of BHK 600’s missing in this photo.
Indeed.. They are as good as ever, but they’re long gone.
Nice to have options!
Have always wanted to try some CJ gear. I’ll be watching with interest for when you add the ART
Best,
JP
As a former owner of the Premier 140, I’m prejudiced. The ART 150 is reputed to be really, really special. The color scheme on their newer equipment leaves me cold though. The kinda plasticky gold of the new stuff just doesn’t say classy to me like the older champagne color scheme.
Just my 2¢ naturally and I am very interested to hear what Jeffrey says about them soundwise. I get to live vicariously that way. ![]()
As an Accuphase amp owner for going on 35 yrs, I’m naturally partial to their champagne finish. It strikes the right balance of shade
I’m with you on the ART, almost looks like Luxman “ blaster white” in the photo. Have not had a close up look at one
Why fix what ain’t broken…
Best,
JP
Exactly. When Jeff Fischel bought CJ in 2017 from Bill Conrad and Lew Johnson I think he wanted to mark the changeover in a visually apparent way and the new color scheme was one way of doing so.
I agree with all of U on the ART150 panel color–it’s just too…too.





