Opinions on Copland CTA-401

[Johan]

In my search for a PP EL34 amp I stumbled over a used Copland CTA-401 that looks interesting. It has a price tag of 880 EUR.

The amp is an integrated: http://audio-database.com/COPLAND/amp/cta401-e.html
the schematic is here: http://www.drtube.com/schematics/copland/cta401.gif

What do you know of the CTA-401 or the maker Copland?

[zuzi]

Standard pp shematic, standard valves all in new suit. If you like Danish design.... Luxman is old fashioned and stil standard pp with starndard litle bit stronger muscles. For a change maybe you shal like japanese LEBEN inspired with european amp from designers childhood. You can find it on web. Nice preamps too.

[autobayer]

Johan.
What happened?
Did I get something wrong or did you cancel your order?
Probably these posts about Copland and Luxman are older, right?
Zuzi said it all, I want to add that Luxman always had amazing transformers and I expect the sound of this particular amp, that was kind of old fashioned already when it came out, to be really sweet.
Best
Chris

[Johan]

Well, the order is done and the Icon is shipped. I am waiting for the delivery.

I see from the answers here and from other internet info that the Copland and the Luxman might be interesting, but probably more laid back and sweet in sound quality. They may even have some issues with quality, hum, caps and input relays.

I guess I just got "cold feet" and continued to look around. I will now stop that immediately and just sit back and relax. 

[zuzi]

@autobayer
My answer about Luxman is based on configuration of classic pp design wich is most used (I think), diference is only in biasing of the valves and consequently produced power.
With Luxman are connecded two persons, one is Tim de Paravicini wich now have EAR and made few highly apriciated amps and preamps among "highenders". Second person is ex employe of Luxman (I forget the name) who now have Air Tight and produce few amps and MC cartridges also in adoration of "highenders".
High end more or les mean high price. For me it is out of reach, for example Air Tight cart cost 5.500 Euro, as is stated on German on off hifi shop. What is most interesting EAR top amp is made of TV use tubes PL519 wich are rejected from "highenders" until Tim de Paravicini used tham.
What I want to say in high end is a lot of vogue and as we say in Croatia "fog selling".

[autobayer]

Zuzi (is that really your name?)
Well mine is Chris - you find under every post 
Well, I get what you mean.
Nevertheless - there is much more to Luxman than that, although it is of course a company that wants to make money.
TdP is really just a short sparkle in Lux´s history, have a read on the net. They go down to 1925 and were and are a really innovative company. So it is more than just 2 people.
Hope, you get my point, one can find happiness everywhere.
Best wishes
Chris

@autobayer
My answer about Luxman is based on configuration of classic pp design wich is most used (I think), diference is only in biasing of the valves and consequently produced power.
With Luxman are connecded two persons, one is Tim de Paravicini wich now have EAR and made few highly apriciated amps and preamps among "highenders". Second person is ex employe of Luxman (I forget the name) who now have Air Tight and produce few amps and MC cartridges also in adoration of "highenders".
High end more or les mean high price. For me it is out of reach, for example Air Tight cart cost 5.500 Euro, as is stated on German on off hifi shop. What is most interesting EAR top amp is made of TV use tubes PL519 wich are rejected from "highenders" until Tim de Paravicini used tham.
What I want to say in high end is a lot of vogue and as we say in Croatia "fog selling".

[zuzi]

@autobayer
My really first name is Jovan, in Munich I would be probably Johan. Zuzi is my nick name from period of my youth. Now about Luxman. I know that it is well established firm, the same is Sansui and few other firms from Japan. I shall not cited tham. I knew that there are other person wich we can connect with tham. I noted few names in connection with topology of tube gear.
And now something different. Am I right that you personaly know Meyer (sorry I forget his first name). As I was subscriber of SP I remember well his amps from early period. And I see what he recently produce. My best wishes to tham.
Same as he I am also infected with walves and I shall put photoe of my recent "product".
Jovan

[Lynnot]

Hi.

any further opinions on a Copland CTA-401?

Rgds, Tony

[ilkka313]

Wel, I just repaired my friend's CTA-401, now it's singing here. Sounds nice, tight bottom (I start from important things even with amplifiers ), warm mids, decent highs. Built quality is ok,  like components. Main board has about 15 screws and one has to unsolder several wires before it's possible to get to see folio side in order to change components, not very neat design. Manual bias settings. RIAA has some hum and it's nothing special accocding the owner. Needs most likely sensitive speakers. Big and heavy,  gets hot, needs to be placed thoughtfully. So all in all; very nice sounding valve amplifier.

And yes, Copland comes from Sweden, it's not Danish.