CAT SL-1 Ultim. Mk2 vs Manley Steel. for CAT JL-2

Schorly, just for clarification, the Aestheitx Io inserts the volume control and single high level input in front of the last gain stage. The Io was designed by Jim White to directly drive an amp to full output. So, it has an active "line stage," but not on par with the dedicated full-function line stage of the Callisto. I don't know how the Steelhead is constructed in this regard, but I would suspect it's similar.
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Jafox,
Would you tell us which version of the JL-3s you have and how you chose between them? There is "JL-3hc" (300 wpc/$10K retail) and JL-3 Signature (200wpc,$30K retail). I'm wondering if you are familiar with the performance differences between the two units, and what could justify the much higher price of the Signature version.

As I'm sure you know, there is no CAT website to refer to for product information.

What cartridge are you using? I would recommend a Placette Active Preamp & the ASR Basis phono stage. The Placette Active will outdo anything until you go above 10K. As for phono stage the ASR is on special here (demo) and is able to accomodate multiple cartridges. Otherwise there is a following on Supratek here. I haven't heard it but it seems to be a great compromise. Whatever you do I am sure the sound will be great. I have the 7s w. VTL & a custom phono stage due any day now. (6 months to make, but lets see how it sounds). I was using a Groove w. my Placette before. The Groove is excellent in most areas but just misses in a few areas & can't easily be tailored to different cartridges. Hence I sold it.

Ubglub, Jafox has the JL3 Signatures ($30k/pr) which are rated at 150 watts each. The JL3 (standard) monoblocks, also rated at 150 watts each, are $22k/pr, and the JL3HCs are basically the same thing, set up for high current capability. The JL3 Signatures are the all out version, including larger, more refined output transformers than the standard JL3s. You are correct, there is no CAT website presently.
Brian

Ubglub: I have no knowledge of the JL-3hc even though this site lists it as a CAT product model. Perhaps this is the JL-3 Non-Signature that Brian at EssentialAudio has mentioned a few times here. But at $10k, I have to believe that would be per amp for a $20k total price; this sounds mighty close to the $22k Brian talked about for the JL-3 non-sig. Or perhaps, this is a totally different or even a non-existant model. Brian and his CAT dealer friend in Chicago know much more about the CAT product line than I do. Ideally, calling Ken Stevens would make the most sense for you to get all your questions answered. He is very helpful.

Concerning power output, the JL-2 stereo amp like the JL-1 monos, uses 8 6550 tubes for each channel to get a CAT spec'd 100w output. The JL-3 Sig uses 16 6550 tubes for each channel to achieve a spec'd 150w.....not 200w. I suspect the actual power output is higher for all these models. But the 300w Class A rating for the JL-3hc model sounds a bit fishy to me unless it is actually configured in a non-triode topology.

The CAT amps are known for some serious current output and can drive some mighty difficult real-world speaker loads out there. When I had Magnepan 3.5 speakers and the Audio Research Classic 150 mono amps, which were rated at 150 Class A, these amps shut down regularly when really "asked" to deliver to these speakers; they simply could not deliver as expected. The Wolcott P220 monos at a rated 220w output had no problem driving these speakers at all. And just before I sold the Magnepans, I used the JL-3 Sigs and again there was no problem at all. Specified power rating between models is often not apples to apples - 150 watts did not equal 150 watts between the ARC and the CAT.

John