As far as I know CJ has been using the same Mullard type circuit since time
began. I once had a Prem 4 and I've heard some of the big ones. Good as far as
it goes, but if you're plonking down some big money you should expect more.
Now, to get to the really cutting edge stuff you need to audition amps with
output triodes like 211, 845, 2a3 and 300b. KJ has one or two - I heard a Nagra
845 amp there which is about the least kind of quality you should consider if
you're really serious. But so much of the really good stuff these days is kits,
home builds and boutique stuff, the reason being that the parts are expensive
(output tubes at around £100 each, audiophile capacitors, costly transformers).
So you are less likely to find the really good stuff in HiFi showrooms because
they're made in small quantities, plus much of the good stuff comes from the
USA, Germany, Far East. How to proceed? You need to talk at some length to
users of valve equipment, e.g. by joining the London Audiocircle.
http://www.earthcurrents.com/london-live/
Also hang out on rec.audio.tubes, www.audioasylum.com and
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/index.php?s=
While it's extremely pleasant to discuss valves on this forum, and a few of us
still do, we've taken the serious discussions elsewhere because if you want to
discuss valves, do so with valve users. Opinions and cliches from exclusively
ss users (some of whom believe they run this forum) are quite pointless - this
is a very specialist field and you need the inside knowledge.

=== Andy Evans ===
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