I've been speaking about the CT6 on a couple other threads but wanted to start one to consolidate things.

Where to start? The CT6 transformed my system. I guess I didn't realize how much a preamp can play in the overall sound. The one stand out character in my mind is the bass response. It may be one of the best I've heard ever, all things considered. It's very accurate. You can tell the difference from disc to disc. It's also very "musical" but I don't mean that in a warm fuzzy sense of the word, it's like detail and timing. Like on a Return To Forever acoustic track Stanley Clarke's fingering and sliding was incredible. The Composite Triode Technology was said to have more current but I didn't realize that would effect the power amp as well in terms of controlling the bass. Although the MV60's use EL-34's the bass is astounding. I used Paula Cole to show some difference between the CJ and Krell when Bobsticks visited, I wish he could hear it now. Everything is controlled and the low bass on the first track may have gone just as low as with the Krell. That's hard to judge by memory and it may have seemed so because of the excellent control. I think adding the CT6 to my system has taken any compromise between tubes and solid state away. CJ may have built the bridge.

The detail throughout the frequency range and sound stage is amazing. I was taken back when I first got my CJ gear at the separation and definition of multiple vocals but the CT6 takes it to a whole other level. Brass and sax are mezmorizing, having a perfect balance between being too warm and offensive. You can hear the detail of the horns like on trumpet it sometimes has a bit of a waver as the air goes through. As I stated on another thread the vocals don't seem euphonic but have more of a natural presence. The CT6 is definitely not as forgiving on bad recordings as the PV14ls2. The CT6 is not aggressive in it's presentation yet drums and cymbals have the proper snap and punch, music sounds nimble and unrestrained. I actually found myself able to listen at a lower "normal listening level" due to the presentation being more dynamic. Although, I found myself getting into the music and wanting to turn it up more.

One thing I did find odd about a preamp at this price and I suspect maybe it couldn't be helped, the step attenuator has a very loud click as you turn the volume up or down. I mean loud enough to hear clearly while sitting in your listening chair. I may email CJ to affirm this being normal but I did see it noted in a review I read.

Even with that I am thrilled to be able to own a piece of gear of this quality. I have been fortunate enough to hear a lot of expensive audio gear. Owning the CT6 or not it would have gone in my memory of one of the top most impressive. More people should know about it because it shatters any stereotype of tube gear.