Introduced in February 1992, Eight-A in January 1994, Eight XS in May 1995
The flagship of the conrad-johnson amplifier line for many years, the Premier Eight was a powerful 275 watts per mono-block making it the perfect choice for speaker systems which require tremendous power input and control. The Premier Eight used premium quality component parts throughout. The power supplies, including the main storage reservoir, used only polypropylene and "cjd" polystyrene capacitors as opposed to the traditional deployment of electrolytic capacitors.
The audio circuit consists of three stages. A triode- amplifier using four paralleled sections of two 5751's amplifies the input signal. That stage is direct-coupled to a cathode coupled phase inverter, each half of which consists of four paralleled sections of two high current twin triodes. The phase inverter circuit provides a balanced, low-impedance drive to the final output stage four pairs of 6550's. They operate in AB ultra-linear configuration, offering an optimal combination of high-power, low distortion, and low output impedance.
The Premier Eight-A added a noise filter to the bias indicator circuit, upgraded resistors and capacitors in the voltage amplifier and bias power supplies, and improved input wiring. The Premier Eight-XS is a an Eight-A with output stage configured to use EL34s connected for triode operation.
All Premier Eights were supplied with a protective tube cover, especially important for households with small children and pets.
Features:
5-way binding post speaker connectors, one pair of inputs, two plate fuses, power switch
Click above for technical info on this product or to purchase a replacement tube kit.
Specifications:
Power Output 275 watts from 30Hz to 15kHz at no more than 1% THD or IMD into 4 ohms (also available connected for 2, 8 or 16 ohm loads).
Power Output (model XS equipped with EL34 output tubes in triode mode) 130 watts from 30Hz to 15kHz at no more than 1% THD or IMD into 4 ohms (also available connected for 2, 8 or 16 ohm loads).
Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- .1 dB
Input Impedance: 100 kOhms
Hum & Noise: 96 dB below rated power
Mechanical: 21 D" x 19W" X 9.5 H"
Weight: 90 lbs.