September 24, 2008

  • Conrad-Johnson ET-250S, Part 12

    In 1993, Toni Braxton's debut won over both the R&B and adult contemporary markets.  And when Braxton's "Breathe Again" came out, it reminded us about what is wrong with high-end audio sound.  It sucks.  Literally.  As an over reaction to reedy records and bad early digital, the audiophile community clamored for warm, smooth-sounding gear.  Alas, that type of sound sucks the life, energy, rhythm, and air out of the music.

    Conrad-Johnson certainly took their fair share of criticism for their overly syrupy-sounding gear.  But, 15 years ago, when CJ produced both tube and solid state gear, they were shedding those old, die-hard identities.  They started promising more life and humanity in their products.

    "Let's wrap this up," says Aiden.

    The CJ ET-250S power amp does a very good job of preserving the music's breath and liveliness.  But what if you want it to sound a little drier, more focused, and in control?

    The Siemens 7308 is a good choice.  But note how Gold Aero took this Siemens tube, and put the Gold Aero logo on it.  So you gotta know your tubes.  Anyway, the control the Siemens 7308 has over Braxton's "Another Sad Love Song" reminds me of how the Dallas Mavericks' "Big Three" of Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd, and Jimmy Jackson fought over her.

    Overall, the Siemens 7308 in the ET-250S sounds rather like the Nordost Valhalla powercord.  In fact, if you combine these, you'll get a unified, dry, focused, no-nonsense sound.  There will be losses in tonal color, wetness, and top-end weight and subtlety.  But it's such a professional sound, it's like going back to 1993, and being in the studio with Braxton, as she sings "You Mean The World To Me."

    "Don't go," begs Tessa.

    I get to review and live with myriad gear.  Most of it has pluses and minuses, so you conclude that such a product might do well for Audiophile A, but poorly for Audiophile Z.  Every now and then, instead of just getting used to a piece, you enjoy it.  And when it is time to pack up that piece, and return it, a sense of loss takes over.  You miss that piece.

    And so it is with the Conrad-Johnson ET-250S.  There are components which I like, and then there are those I love.  I love the ET-250S, and am saddened to have to give it up.