In fact they are little more than a mile from where I went to middle and high school, so it feels good to support a local product. Part of the reason I picked this one up was that I found out that Conrad Johnson is headquartered in the Dunn-Loring area of Fairfax VA, not too far from where I live now. In fact, this is one of the only times I have owned and reviewed a current production amplifier of any kind, so that in itself is a bit of a departure for me.
![conrad johnson cav 50 integrated amplifier conrad johnson cav 50 integrated amplifier](https://hfp-fc92.kxcdn.com/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/b3324c89e0e19838a4838fa9f936ad20/C/o/Conrad-Johnson-CAV-45-Front-e1559942894771.jpg)
I’ve read of many people being happy with their CJ amps and particularly their preamps, but I have largely avoided mainstream products like this in favor of small boutique builders. This is the first Conrad Johnson product I have owned. And it is probably the reason it's called a control amp. One interesting feature of this amplifier is that, unlike most other integrateds there is no active preamp section, it is passive, and perhaps that is one of the keys to the superb sound quality.
Conrad johnson cav 50 integrated amplifier driver#
The 6922 allows a very wide range of flavors to choose from with so many outstanding selections available and I am always happy to see this as the driver choice. The amp employs the 6922 tube as an input and the somewhat unusual 5965 tube as phase splitters. A large and robust amp, the CAV 45 is well built and solid feeling with Conrad Johnson’s signature champagne faceplate and matte black coating.
![conrad johnson cav 50 integrated amplifier conrad johnson cav 50 integrated amplifier](https://tubeintegratedamplifier.com/photos/Conrad_Johnson_CAV_50_Tube_Integrated_Amplifier_in_Very_Good_Condition_06_otht.jpg)
The CAV 45 S2 is a 45 watt per channel EL-34 based amplifier with three inputs and a smooth action volume control. This is Conrad Johnson’s current (2021) integrated amplifier, what they call a “control amplifier”, and it is a stunning performer. Here is an amplifier that, like the McIntosh 225, has made me seriously reconsider my preconceived notions. Glow in the Dark Audio - Conrad-Johnson CAV45 S2