BAT VK-600 vs Pass XA100.5

Hi Dob, I appreciate your observations.

I did ask about getting the LA450 for demo, but that was not possible without purchasing it. I agree that the Cardas cables and RCA connectors need to be considered in the comparison, which is why I offered that caveat. I personally think Cardas adds a haze to the midrange, and is soft on the top and bottom.

But I actually think the Rex has a better and more realistic midrange in my system. This surprises me, because the Joule midrange was quite intriguing for a week. But as time passed, it became smooth, less intersting, and less real. Perhaps the Joule is too cloying with the Pass amp, and it is a synergy issue.

I do believe the LA450 is a different beast, and would probably provide much more power and control. But for now, my curiosity has been addressed.

In any event, it is clear you are a music lover, and I am sure the combination you have put together is wonderful in it's own right.

Thanks for updating your observations, Rtn1 (and you too, Dob).

I love my Joule LA-150 SE but I do wish the bass was better.

"I love my Joule LA-150 SE but I do wish the bass was better... "

Hello Madfloyd:

You should have very good bass. Check you impedance matching (already mentioned above) and cables.

If you can afford David Elrod Gold Statement then you would improve your bass (and midrange and tops and your life) very substantially.

If its too expensive - I use for my power amps the most recent power cord by Spectron Audio, Thunderbolt which is 3.5 time cheaper then Elrod. Nobody beats Elrod overall, nobody ...but in my system, with Spectron power cord, the bass is better: much deeper, tighter etc. My ears are not that they were 100 years ago but with deep bass its easy, I judge it by vibrations in my chest and my guts - I am sure you know what I am talking about and with Thunderbolt, its unquestionably "greater" experience (for me).

Elrod speaker cables (starting from silver and relatiely affordable) are excellent and will bring your missing bass, pronto!!!

I don;t know good and affordable interconnects to recommend, sorry

All The Best In you Quest For Bass

"The Joule LA450 seems very interesting, but without a home demo, I am unlikely to take the plunge. "

Hello Rtn1,

When I was buying my LA-300 (to match Spectrons and Watt/Puppy 8) I been told by Simon Thacher that I have 30 days money back guarantee minus shipping and some re-stocking fees.

I fall in love with this combo and live immensely HAPPY!!!

I believe both Spectron and Joule-Electra are committed to constant improvments (I already upgraded my LA-300 once) but with speakers I had to order new generation (Sasha) no upgrade and with good $$$ (Im waitin' still but I know its worth it).

At anyway, you could have the home demo of LA-450 but REX is more then excellent preamp as well considering its relatively high output impedance. Enjoy!

Mike

Hi Mike, I inquired about arranging a demo for the LA-450. At this time, it does not seem possible without buying the unit. There are no extra LA-450s out there. Judd makes one to order, and it seems that dealers don't want to be stuck with an expensive piece they may not move for some time.

I also really like the build quality of the Rex, the digital volume indicator, and the remote control.