Conrad Johnson CAV-60

The control amplifier represents a distinctly different approach to high-performance home audio. In many ways it is the ultimate embodiment of our design philosophy that simple circuits yield best results.

Similar in function to an integrated amplifier, a control amplifier offers the significant potential improvement of eliminating extra connections, external cabling, and inter-device connection considerations that limit conventional audio systems. But the control amplifier also eliminates an entire stage of audio circuitry (the line stage) and its inherent colorations.

The CAV-60 is a vacuum-tube control amplifier. Its audio circuit is similar to our highly regarded Classic Sixty-Two power amplifier, with triode voltage gain and phase inverter stages and an output stage comprised of a pair of EL34s per channel operated in ultralinear mode to produce 60 watts per channel.

The use of carefully selected high-quality parts enables the CAV60 to properly exploit the dramatic potential of a control amplifier to enhance the immediacy of musical experience afforded by fine recordings. All resistors in the audio circuits and related power supplies are precision metal film types. With the exception of the large power supply reservoir capacitors (which are specially chosen electrolytic capacitors bypassed by polypropylenes), all capacitors in these circuits use polypropylene dielectrics.

This execution of minimalist circuitry with quality parts results in a control amplifier that is notable for its resolution of subtle dynamic shadings and palpable imaging, for a natural harmonic tonality, and extraordinary resolution.

The CAV-60 features larger value electrolytic capacitors in the unregulated power supply, yielding improved bass response and lower noise floor. The binding posts are billet brass, rhodium over silver plate, with billet brass, gold plate nut.