For more than thirty years, conrad-johnson has refined the concept of high end audio through its relentless pursuit of excellence. For as long as the company has been producing its world-renowned state of the art audio instruments, it has also been adapting the technologies and construction techniques responsible for those products and applying them to more affordable components designed for the music-lover who requires musically satisfying performance but whose budget does not encompass the loftiest of current offerings. The conrad-johnson Classic vacuum-tube preamplifier honors this thirty-year heritage of musically accurate, moderately priced preamplifiers which have displayed the conrad-johnson name.
The Classic faithfully reproduces the harmonic structure of complex musical passages, preserving the distinctive tonal character of each instrument and voice. The space of the sound stage and the ambience of the concert hall are conveyed in realistic, three dimensional perspective. Individual instruments are precisely located within that three dimensional space. Musical transients are reproduced naturally, with realistic impact, but without the artificial enhancement which characterizes so many "hi-fi" components. Never imposing its own distractions, the Classic invites the listener to enjoy the musical performance.
The Classic preamplifier is available as either a line-stage, or with an optional phono stage. Both stages are zero-feedback circuits. The phono section uses two triode amplifiers separated by a passive RIAA equalization network. The second triode amplifier is direct coupled to a high-current output stage. The line-level section has a single triode amplifier also direct coupled to a high-current output stage. These output buffer stages minimize the output impedance, making the Classic compatible with nearly all installations, including those requiring long lengths of interconnect cable. DC plate voltages are supplied by a very low impedance discrete regulator, designed to prevent the power supply from imposing its own colorations on the audio signal. A regulated filament supply further isolates the unit from ac line voltage fluctuations
Premium quality component parts are specified for the Classic to assure full realization of the potential performance of the circuit designs and to dependably sustain that performance for years to come. Precision, metal-film resistors yield low noise performance for greatest clarity. Polypropylene and polystyrene capacitors, used exclusively in both the audio circuits and the regulated plate voltage supplies, offer maximum temporal accuracy. Phono equalization in the Classic is accomplished with 1% tolerance precision parts to assure tonal neutrality. Industrial quality controls offer extended life and maintain a crisp, precise feel.
Specifications
Line Stage:
Gain: 22 dB
Maximum Output: 9.5 VRMS
Distortion: less than .15% THD
Bandpass: 2 Hz to more than 100 KHz
Hum and Noise: -98 dB relative to 2.5 V output
Tube Complement: 2 x M8080Optional Phono Stage:
Gain: 54 dB
Phono Equalization: within +/- .25 dB of RIAA standard
Hum and Noise: Phono Stage 80 dB relative to 10 mV input
Tube Complement: 3 x 12AX7
Dimensions: 13.625D x 19W x 3.625H inches
Weight: 14 lb net
All conrad-johnson products are carefully hand assembled and each is thoroughly tested to assure conformity to our exacting performance standards. Our confidence in these components is reflected in our three year limited warranty covering labor and parts. Service is a top priority at conrad-johnson. In the event that a product does require service, it will be handled promptly and efficiently.
C O P Y R I G H T © 1 9 9 8 -- 2 0 0 9 c o n r a d j o h n s o n
conrad-johnson design, inc. 2733 Merrilee Drive Fairfax, VA 22031
phone: 703-698-8581, fax: 703-560-5360