Ideas re Spectron mated to Joule-Electra

>I think the majority of Spectron owners end up getting Joule-Electra preamps

That's definitely not true, but it is a popular pairing, partly because there's a business relationship between the two companies (via Simon, at any rate).

I tried an LA-150 with my Musician III for a couple of days just two weeks ago, though my speakers aren't Maggies. The LA-150 is a seductive preamp, no doubt about it. Rich, ripe, gorgeous tone color; a sweet and delicate treble, though not extended; full (perhaps overly so) bass, though a little loose. Ultimately, though, it was less detailed and resolving than I like, with compromised image specificity. It's sonic signature is quite strong and was evident on all recordings I played. And while I sat in awe of the gorgeous tone, I found myself bored by the music with the Joule in my system. I'm sure others will disagree vehemently, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I wish I could have kept it longer because I didn't have time to play with cables or other tweaks that might have made a difference. Lousy remote.

Hi Drubin,

Thank you for your comments and experience with the LA-150. I'd like to add a little more of that sweet gorgeous tone to my system and want to try the LA-450ME. I think striking that balance is difficult and what many of us desire. What amp/preamp/speakers are you using now?

I'd like to try to LA450ME too, but beyond my budget. My speakers are Dunlavy SC-IIIA and the Spectron is my amp. Searching for a new pre.

Very nice! I have an Ayre KX-R and while the combination is spectacular, I'd just like a little more sweetness. Please keep us/me updated.

"The LA-150 is a seductive preamp... "

There are three LA-150: Mk1, Mk2 and SE - from your description it seem that you have Mk2. Indeed very lush and 2007 Golden Ear Award winner. Mk1 - is lean and I don;t like it.

" sweet and delicate treble, though not extended" - definetely Mk2 and not Marienne-Electra preamps (300 and 450), as latest ones have vastly extended "magical" HF - thanks to Simon's lenghly investigation of best V-Caps in variety of equipment, see -
http://v-cap.com/simon-thatcher.php

These capacitors, as implemented lately, also increase details, I been told.

" ... full (perhaps overly so) bass, though a little loose"
- may be (Harry Pearson liked LA-150Mk2 bass - see his review on J-E web site)...may be for some. Then go for LA-150 SE or even better for LA-300ME (or 450) with their special power supplies. Jud (and Simon) are fanatical about power supplies. No suprise, every serious designer is but to do it right, its different matter.

Finally, yes - Simon work very actively with both Spectron and Joule-Eletctra so both, at least partially were voiced together on Simon's system and thus there is great synergy. My LA-300 - Spectron monoblocks - B&W802 Diamond is the music heaven !!!!