Introduced: 2002

AudioRevolution's Best of 2002!!

With the 1996 introduction of the Anniversary Reference Triode (ART), conrad-johnson established a benchmark for line-stage preamplifier performance. Reviewers were unanimous in their praise, proclaiming it the finest sounding preamplifier ever manufactured. Some went so far as to assert that the ART's limitations, if any, could not be perceived or characterized until the performance level of other audio components had reached a similarly advanced state.

There was just one problem with the limited edition ART, and that was that its massive dual-mono, two-chassis design was, by its very nature, expensive to manufacture. For the last four years conrad-johnson has dedicated itself to bringing the superlative performance of the ART to a broader audience. The Premier Seventeen LS is the fruit of that labor.

The Premier Seventeen LS is a an extremely simple design it employs the remarkable single-active-stage composite triode circuit introduced in the ART, which means the entire amplification circuit is a single active stage, without buffers or feedback.

Constructing the Premier Seventeen LS' circuit from a composite triode consisting of four paralleled sections of high-transconductance miniature twin-triode tubes allows it to achieve a suitably low output impedance to drive practically any interconnect/amplifier combination while eliminating any circuit element that might compromise its sonic purity. Toward that end, the circuit is powered by discrete voltage regulators designed to completely isolate the audio signal from the power line.

The Premier Seventeen's level control, like its input selection, utilizes microprocessor-controlled relays and a network of precision, low-noise metal foil resistors to effect loudness and balance changes in .7dB increments over 100 steps. This arrangement, plus a unity gain signal throughput, makes it simple to incorporate the Premier Seventeen LS into a high quality home theater system without compromising its two-channel performance. All switching and adjustment can be controlled by the unit's remote control.

As with all Premier components, the Premier Seventeen LS is constructed from the highest quality, carefully selected parts for unrivaled sonic performance and reliability. Only precision metal foil resistors and polypropylene and polystyrene capacitors are utilized in the audio circuitry (including the Premier Seventeen's level control). The audio circuits and their related power supplies utilize low inductance, high-precision laser-trimmed metal foil resistors. Internal signal path wiring consists exclusively of silver wire, and input and output connectors are gold-plated oxygen free copper. Switches are sealed relays with gold-plated silver contacts.

In its quest to render the glory of music without compromise, conrad-johnson has dedicated itself to bridging the gulf between craft and art. Through meticulous engineering, careful specification of only the finest available component parts, and a painstaking attention to construction, we have created what we feel is a preamplification system without rival in its class. We invite you to arrange an audition of the Premier Seventeen LS with your conrad-johnson dealer to experience the extraordinary musical performance of these two products.

Specifications

Premier 17LS Vacuum-Tube Line Stage Preamplifier

Gain: 26 dB
Maximum Output: 15 V rms
Hum and Noise: 100 dB below 2.5 V output
Distortion at 1.0V output: less than .1% THD or IMD
Phase: inverts phase of all inputs at main output
Output impedance: less than 850 ohms
Dimensions: 15.25D x 19W x 3.75H inches
Net Weight: 21 lbs.

Replacement Tubes Set