ARC versus Joule Electra

Hello Marty: LA-100 is from "stone age". Today, I believe, the best Jud preamp is LA-300ME and so said Harry Pearson in July 2010 issue of TAS. He gave this preamp "2010 HP Editor Choice" Award. He called it "most romantic" - of course without coloration.

In contrary to Joule-Electra where all preamp (with pssible exception of LA-150 Mk1) are slightly romantic - ARC preamps are not consistant and vary from model to model. I am not familiar with LS25 but I listen to Reference 2; no comparison to LA-300ME, on my very subjective opinion.

I like LA-150 Mk2 too but "300" is better

I guess I'm just a "stone age" kinda guy.

I am not sure why the OP and Dob are comparing Ref 2 Mk2 (introduced in 2000) or LS25 Mk2 (introduced in 2000) with the best current Joule preamp. If you want to compare apples-to-apples, ARC's Ref 5 and even more appropriately ARC's latest 40th Anniversary Reference preamp will be the relevant comparison. The OP and Dob are comparing 10-yr old designs one of which was the mid-level ARC offering (the LS25 Mk2) with the latest SOTA Joule offering. I am sure ARC and Joule have very different sonic signatures and that's fine. But one should compare current designs at same price points to make relevant comparisons. Doesn't make sense to me. My 2c worth.

Hello Cmalak: Before start critic of the responses please read the question:

"Has anyone ever done an A-B comparison between the ARC Reference 2 Mk2 or LS 25 MK2 (both 6H30 tubed) versus the best preamps by Mr. Barber? "

I repeat: BEST PREAMPS by Mr. Barber

Capish?

Salute!

Cmalak, I hear what you are saying, but there is no reason to believe that 10-year old ARC, or 20 year old ARCs may not be as good or better as the current line-up, lot's of reasons for new models other than a constant upward progression, I never liked the move from 6922 to 6H30, for example. I think distinguishing ARC from Joule is pretty easily heard, Joule is more a meat on the bones sound, and most ARCs of recent vintage are leaner by comparison (not meaning better or worse, just different). Which you prefer may have as much to do with the amps and speakers you are using as anything else.