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Joule Electra LA150 MkII or Lamm LL2 Deluxe?

Hi all, I am looking at a new tube preamp in the $2,500 to $4,000 used range, and I could use your help. I have tried many over the past couple of years, and my current short list includes the Joule and the Lamm. I have a wanted ad posted for the Lamm but no response yet. I have read all the stuff on both, and I am not asking for anyone to tell me what to buy, but I am interested in hearing from users about the characteristics of these two preamps, and certainly from any who have compared them directly or owned both. What to you stands out either in a positive or negative way about either of these units and, if you owned one previously, what made you switch to something else. Important to me are quietness, clarity, dynamics, midrange warmth (at least some), and bass depth, texture, and accuracy. Also, regarding the Joule, are the tubes used in that unit available anywhere else other than from Joule, and are they known for being rugged and quiet? My virtual system is accurately posted, except I am using a Zoe preamp and Cary 500MB monos, instead of the Vibe&Pulse and DNA500 shown. Thanks - Tim
mitch2
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isanchez
276 posts
 
The LA-150 MKII Signature Edition is the LA-150 MKII plus V-Cap OIMP output capacitors.  It also borrows some other internal components from the LA-300ME flagship preamplifier.  These new parts upgrade should give the LA-150 MKII Signature Edition very similar texture as Joule Electra's flagship LA-300ME preamp.  

The LA-150 MKII SE has nearly identical power supply as the LA-150ME (no longer in production as it was replaced by the LA-300ME), but the gain stage is not quite the same as the LA-150ME.  I think the idea was to create a more affordable "best sound for the buck" preamp.

I had the LA-150ME, which I then upgraded to the LA-300ME.  Since the LA-150 MKII SE should be close in performance to the LA-150ME I had, it is a fantastic preamp for the price and most likely the best deal in Joule-Electra's preamp line-up.

Best,
mitch2 OP
4,007 posts
 
Cruz123,
From the website,
The LL2.1 features the following upgrades and modifications as compared to the LL2:
-addition of a built-in remote on/off for LAMM amplifiers
-introduction of the attenuation for gain reduction by 15 dB
-some new parts
-new knobs
-slight changes in schematic diagram
I see only items 3 and 5 possibly changing things sonically, and I doubt the changes are dramatic, or they would have listed them in more detail. The caps appear the same. I would liked to have seen stepped attenuators. The more significant changes appear to be the remote on/off for Lamm amps, and the 15db attenuation switch. They were recently very helpful in helping me set up a remote on/off for my M1.1 amps. Lamm uses a high quality relay for that purpose and the remote does not even have to be hooked to a power supply, it must simply complete a circuit when the back power switch is in the "remote" position - it was very easy. They have reviews of the new LL2.1 coming up in Stereophile, The Absolute Sound and Soundstage, so we will be hearing a lot about it.
brucefrederick
11 posts
 
I have owned many expensive preamps including Joule LA 100 MKIII and LA 150. I currently own the Ming Da MC2A3 with NOS tubes. This is by FAR the best piece of equipment I have owned regardless of price. It is truly a sonic revelation. My audiophile friend who introduced me to the MC2A3 said he sold his VTL 7.5 after direct comparison. If your tired of A/Bing preamps and struggling to hear a difference you owe it to yourself to audition the MC2A3.
lightminer
164 posts
 
Is the LA150MKII or similar Joule Electra in a totally different league than (I believe) the similarly priced Musical Envoy Preamp from Jolida? Also, the Jolida can be modded by UnderwoodHiFi for not too much more money. I've heard really good things about the modded Jolida.
dob
577 posts
 
"Is the LA150MKII or similar Joule Electra in a totally different league than (I believe) the similarly priced Musical Envoy Preamp from Jolida?"

yes

" Also, the Jolida can be modded by UnderwoodHiFi for not too much more money. I've heard really good things about the modded Jolida "

and so did I. So what does it mean? Take decently made stuff from China(?) and then send it to Canada where Mr. Johnston will modify it and then back or "state-of-the-art" equipment at three different price/performance lever: LA-150Mk2, LA-150 SE, LA-300 ME...

Some of us will buy Audi or BMW and drive away in it. Some of us will buy Kia, bring it to autio modifier for hot-rodding it(spensing slightly more then first guy) and will drive away in it.

Different people has different tastes - its only you can decide what do you want. I know when I auditioned LA-300 I placed order on the spot and I believe its the best audio component I ever owned...

All The Best
Rafael
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