2. amps-preamps
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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
jim_swantko
301 posts
 
Mitch,

I'd highly recommend you give the Cary SLP-05 a try, especially with your Cary amps.

Good luck with the search!

Jim
lightminer
164 posts
 
Upon gathering further data the Jolida Musical Envoy as moded by Underwood is half the price of the cheapest Joule Electra Pre - so it will depend on how sensitive people are to cost in the 2200 vs 5500 range. However, as a Supratek owner I do feel that the pre can be considered the heart of a system and do see the value in the getting the Joule... I have a few friends in need of a pre and will see if I can head them in this direction...
dob
577 posts
 
Hello Lightminer,

Your price comparison would be correct if people would pay MSRP in full. However, in today's economy nobody or rarely pays 100% of the price. Its relatively easy to get discount from dealers.

Assuming that percent of discount is the same for Jolida and Joule-Electra LA-150 Mk2 (where you increased price by avout $300) in ABSOLUE amount of dollars, Joule disount will be larger.

Nest point is that modifiers set up prices they feel they can get some (small?) profit and have no margin to five discount. I never ever heard modifiers giving discount.

Therefore the ACTUAL monetary difference between Joule and Modded Jolida is much narrower they you depicted in your post.

Finally, "you get that you pay for" - as discussed in lenght, there is not too small difference in performance between both units.

All The Best
Rafael
mitch2 OP
4,007 posts
 
Hi Jim, I really do have to update my system page. I sold the Cary Monos (good sounding amps but noisy). My amps are now Lamm M1.1 and the preamp I settled on is the Lamm LL2 Deluxe. That combination to me provides the richest presentation I have heard, with excellent tone, texture, and dimensionality, and very good dynamics. It just sounds more like music I would hear somewhere than the gear I have previously owned. For some reason, the Joule preamp just didn't integrate well with the system I had at the time, but the Lamm OTOH has sounded good with whatever I use it with.
jim_swantko
301 posts
 
Well that's what I get for not clicking on your system!! Congrats on the Lamm gear, excellent choice.
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