I picked up a s/h conrad johnson ART pre amp about 4 weeks ago.

On Thursday I got my local tech to change the taps on the ART's 4 transformers to 240volts and the increase in sound quality was impressive.

This is the best pre amp I have ever heard and has raised my system up several musical notch's. It mate's with the 2xMC2102's beautifully.:music:
Me, I am very happy to be back with all tube pre and power after flirting with SS for 3 years.

Sometimes you need to look backward's to move forward:scratch2:

All I need is to rob a bank and buy a pair of Sonus Faber Stradivari's and I would be in musical heaven and stop this audio addiction:nono:

Anyone else got dabbling in one direction, only to return back to what made you happiest in the past??

You never know what your missing until it is gone!!

I picked up a s/h conrad johnson ART pre amp about 4 weeks ago.
This is the best pre amp I have ever heard and has raised my system up several musical notch's. It mate's with the 2xMC2102's beautifully.:music:

Have you compared the the Art preamp to a McIntosh C1000?

Have you compared the the Art preamp to a McIntosh C1000?

No I haven't. I have a pretty good understanding of the Mac pre amp sound thou spending a lot of time with the c2200 and owning the c46.

nothing wrong with Mac at all, however for me the ART is sublime.

I listened to a used ART 2 l but liked the C2200 better, not as dark sounding. Maybe some tube rolling could help. Wonder if the ART 3 can stand up to a C1000.

I listened to a used ART 2 l but liked the C2200 better, not as dark sounding. Maybe some tube rolling could help. Wonder if the ART 3 can stand up to a C1000.The ART uses the 6922 tubes. The new ACT2 from CJ uses the Russian 6H30 tubes. Having owned preamps from both camps, I can tell you the 6H30 preamps are less colored. What actually sounds good to ones ear is a different story and personal preference.

I have used the ACT2 / CT5 from cj and did not care for their more "neutral" presentation. Sounded more hi fi that music.

It is very interesting that one man's tonal warmth and musicality can be another's darkness, or one person's neutrality is another's leanness and brightness.
guess that's why there are so many hi hi brands out there. All catering for our own perception of musical enjoyment