Price Paid:  $800.00 from internet ad

Summary:
My piece is the PV9-A, which uses 6FQ7 tubes instead of the 5965 in it's previous incarnation. Having owned quite a few of CJ's preamps, this one is my favorite! Coming along on the heels of the Premier 3, the PV9-A retailed for about $2995.00, rather pricey for the PV series. However, it sounds like it should have sported the Premier badge. The Premier 3 had a smoother, less detailed sound. The phono section is truly wonderful. There is plenty of gain for all MM and high to medium output MC cartridges. I use a step-up transformer for my lower ouput moving coils to great effect. Quiet operation with a detailed yet smooth sound makes this a keeper. Highly recommended for the vinyl lover! The Audio Research SP11 Mk II is gray and harsh-sounding in comparison.

Strengths:
Immediacy and lots of gain. The phono section is a giant killer!

Weaknesses:
Non-detachable power cord?

Similar Products Used:
Conrad-Johnson PV10-A, PV12A, Premier 3, PV8 and ARC SP11 MK II.

Summary:
I didn't realise what I was missing until I bought this preamp. In a word- delicious!
I have to agree with the last review (Hi, Tony!)- with classical music this amp is truly breathtaking. In fact it excels when the musicians do. When you put on a recording by a great artist you are aware of their presence-just like you would be at a live concert! And this doesnt just apply to classical performances. All music sounds better, and great musicians sound , well... like great musicians!
The bottom line? This is a beautiful piece of kit, which will bring you closer to the music and the performers. I keep meaning to write to CJ and thank them!....

Strengths:
Beautiful sound.

Weaknesses:
None

Summary:
I've had this baby for over ten years now. I have listened to various Audio Research preamps and to several high end solid state preamps as well.
To my ear, nothing touches the sound of the PV-9's phone preamplifier. Any
one who has a good turntable and a collection of records should listen to
the sound of a CJ preamp.

The sound of the ARC SP-14 is also very seductive, in fact it came all down
to a toss up between an SP-14, a CJ PV-10 and the CJ PV9. The ARC was a bit
too analytical for me, and since I was mixing a system with an ARC power amp
and a pair of Acoustic Energy AE-1s, I felt the all ARC front end was a bit
too 'bright' -as bright as tubes can get.

The PV10 was quite good too, but the PV-9 simply sounded better. It outdid
the competition on dynamics, deep end and soundstage.

For jazz and rock, the SP-14 was better -I think. But for classical music,
the PV-9 simply puts you there. Classic Mid Hall sound that reminds you of
the richness of sound and senses that you get at a concert hall.

Have you ever seen an austere sound hall? Usually they are decked out in the
finest veneers, richest reds and warmest lighting. It balances Sostakovich
and makes Tchaikovsky a bit too syrupy.

That's the PV9. A concert hall sound in the house.

For all these years, I've noted that the ARC and CJ sounds have evolved
towards more neutrality, but the sound of the PV-9 has staid truest to what
I hear from my season seats at OCPAC. And that, folks, is the truest
measure of the High End.

Amp wise, I think the PV9 does better with ARC's stuff. An all CJ system is
too syrupy, and all ARC system is too analytical.

Tony