Upgrading PREAMP - The wait is killing me

thsmith

I cannot hold it in any longer. I have a new Joule Electra LA-150 SE preamp on order and is being built even as this is being typed.

I have lusted after this preamp for the last couple of years and would have been further ahead if I would have bought one when I first went to separates.

I have owned an Adcom GFP-750, Anthem Pre 1L and Anthem Pre 2L. I currently have a hot rodded Wright WLA12 that I have owned longer than all the others in total. I have rolled many tubes in the Wright, upgrade output caps and volume controls.

Anyway, I could stand it no longer and had to shout it out.

From order to delivery is suppose to be 3 weeks, apparently Jud requires soak time before releasing it and will only ship FEDEX air to minimize shipping trauma. Its already been a week.

Once it arrives I will post pics and impressions.

thsmith

New power cable showed up today so I can get a head start and get it burned in before the JE gets here.

falconcry72

Hell yea, man. I'm not familiar with that unit, but I've found that switching out preamps can make a huge impact on overall sound.

Good luck and have fun!

Oldfatdogs

I know how ya feel,I'm toe tappen too.I hope its all you wanted and more.Enjoy Dan

thsmith

Thanks guys. There are a lot of reviews on the MKII and a few here have JE preamps.

They make OTL AMPs as well.

Have my new power cable cooking on the Wright AMP. Not the last word in PCs but a step up over my current PCs. PS Audio AC-3s currently and the new one is an AC-5.

thsmith

From JE's site

LA-150 Signature Edition (SE) Line Stage Pre-Amplifier

Joule Electra is introducing it newest version of well known LA-150. The new preamp is a highly refined version of the LA-150 MkII which incorporates exotic capacitors in output stage as well as some other changes similar to that of our new flagship, Marianne Electra Memorial Preamp LA-300ME - however, at much more affordable price. In developing this version of the 150 our quest was for a more fleshed out and musical sonic signature of LA-300ME while retaining the robust nature of the Mark II, the winner of HP of TAS Golden Ear Award 2007. We are delighted that we achieved this goal and the result is a remarkable preamp possessing all the virtues that most audiophiles desire in a line amplifier.

The new version, dubbed LA-150 Mark II Signature Edition also uses the same topology as the original design with both the Mu Follower and Gain Stages now utilizing the NOS 6350. This tube has long been out of production but we have several thousand of these tubes on hand. We have been using this tube for over 17 years in the LA-100, :A-150 MkII and our OTL's so it was only natural for us to continue its use in our newest preamp. Needless to say, we have been gratified with the success of this refinement.

This line stage uses a phase splitter to process the unbalanced audio inputs as two balanced signals thereafter dramatically reducing preamp induced distortions and then sum them together before the output.

The output signal can still be taken from either the plate of the Gain Stage or from the Mu Follower depending on system drive requirements. Most systems will sound best with the “Plate Follower” drive which is implemented with only a single vacuum step in the signal path. The preamp is very dynamic, completely free of glare or edginess, and boasts a 3 db down point at 5 and 100,000 cycles respectively. The 10,000 cycle square wave response is essentially perfect and hum and noise are extremely low. The bass performance of the preamp is very strong and solid and the treble is open and airy with great extension.



All Tube Design including separate tube regulated B+ supplies for each channel - dual mono construction
Separate regulated DC filament supplies
Four inputs including Tape In/Out - dual output jacks
All inputs - "Virtual Direct"
VH Audio & MIT Caps, Cardas or Purist Wire and Jacks, Holco Resistors
Tape loop does not require buffer stage for isolation
Separated mute relays for each channel; auto and manual mute
Separate passive volume and balance system with 'shunt to ground' input (not in signal path)
Rear mounted selector switch for short signal path and
Multiple contacts in signal path
Adjustable battery bias for gain stage
"Tri-flex" elastomer suspension for signal board
State-of-the-art "Sound Coat" and "Ear Isodamp Vibration" isolation materials
Remote Included
Warranty Parts & Labor, 3 yr
Specifications

Input Impedance 15,000 Ohms
Output Impedance Selectable: 400 Ohms & 1200 Ohms
Distortion < 0.1% @ 5 volts into 5,000 Ohms
Gain
Bandwidth
0 to 11dB, Selectable
100 kHz

Tube Complement 2 - 6EM7
4 - 6350

2 - O-A2'a (or Zerner Diodes)

Weight 23 lbs.
Power Consumption < 50 watts
Power Storage 150 Joules
Dimensions Width - 17.5 inches
Height - 6.0 inches

Depth - 12.5 inches

Channel Separation
Fequency Response
> 80dB
10 Hz - 100 kHz (+/- 1 dB)

george daniel

Congrats tracy-- I don't think you'll be disappointed.

F1nut

One of the best pre amps available at any price, congrats!

thsmith

Thanks George and Jesse, your encouragement is making the wait even tougher.

brgman

Man i'm sorry.I thought you said you changed your mind.I told Simon to forget about it and cancel your order.Did i screw up?

thsmith

brgman wrote: »

Man i'm sorry.I thought you said you changed your mind.I told Simon to forget about it and cancel your order.Did i screw up?

Not funny !

BTW, where is your review?

tonyb

Congrats man, I'm interested to hear how this bad boy stacks up against the Wright.

brgman

I'm not much on doing that stuff.I end up getting beat up and harassed about my opinion and then cry myself to sleep.
I can sum it up with-ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
After a month+ it has come into a sweet sweet place i have never heard in my room.I have a few tubes i bought to roll but haven't even bothered.
I was a bit hesitant to spend the money but had great advice from a polkie and pulled the trigger.So happy i did!
Can't tell you who led me down the path but it rhymes with F1.

doctor r

Congrats Tracy, I looked hard at the Joule when I was doing my pre upgrade, but ultimately ended up with a VAC due to a great deal being offered. I know the Wright is a nice pre, but I feel you will be very pleased with this upgrade. The only thing worse than the initial wait for it to be finalized and shipped will be the breaking period wondering each day if it can actually get better. It will. Enjoy.
Rick

txcoastal1

Awesome Tracy glad someone else is getting new tube gear, can't wait to get mine & I get your Treaure tubes from ya, I'm grren with envy

Thanks again

F1nut

brgman wrote: »

Man i'm sorry.I thought you said you changed your mind.I told Simon to forget about it and cancel your order.Did i screw up?

Hehe.....

thsmith

I'm not much on doing that stuff.I end up getting beat up and harassed about my opinion and then cry myself to sleep.
I can sum it up with-ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
After a month+ it has come into a sweet sweet place i have never heard in my room.I have a few tubes i bought to roll but haven't even bothered.
I was a bit hesitant to spend the money but had great advice from a polkie and pulled the trigger.So happy i did!
Can't tell you who led me down the path but it rhymes with F1.



SOunds encouraging. From what I can tell JE already uses excellent 6350 and 6EM7 tubes in the pre. I have some very good 6EM7s for the Wright but I am going to stick with the OEM tubes.

I was warned by Simon you are quite the jokester when I called yesterday to tell him not to listen to you, he said something about you being a used car salesman :-)

yeah, it was Jesse who brought JE to my attention 4 years ago.

thsmith

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Awesome Tracy glad someone else is getting new tube gear, can't wait to get mine & I get your Treaure tubes from ya, I'm grren with envy

Thanks again

Been testing to make sure you get the best of the best but they are all great tubes.

heiney9

Congrats, a fantastic piece of gear

H9

thsmith

doctor r wrote: »

Congrats Tracy, I looked hard at the Joule when I was doing my pre upgrade, but ultimately ended up with a VAC due to a great deal being offered. I know the Wright is a nice pre, but I feel you will be very pleased with this upgrade. The only thing worse than the initial wait for it to be finalized and shipped will be the breaking period wondering each day if it can actually get better. It will. Enjoy.
Rick

Thanks Rick. The Wright preamp esp hotrodded performs way above its cost. Considering the cost difference between the Wright and JE I have big expectations.

The break in time is ok with me as I actually enjoy the burn time hearing all the changes equipment goes through.

thsmith

heiney9 wrote: »

Congrats, a fantastic piece of gear

H9

Thanks H9

brgman

Used car salesman
Pimp
Same thing.Convincing the buyer it isn't worn out!

thsmith

brgman wrote: »

Used car salesman
Pimp
Same thing.Convincing the buyer it isn't worn out!

Thats funny.

You and Simon must run in the same circles. I asked him what form of payment he took and he said virgins.

doctor r

I knew with your previous endeavors in tube rolling and hot rodding that you will enjoy experiencing the "maturation" of the Joule as it breaks in. Looking forward to the updates and progress reports as well as pictures.

brgman

thsmith wrote: »

Thats funny.

You and Simon must run in the same circles. I asked him what form of payment he took and he said virgins.

Has Simon sent you a picture of his boss yet?
If not ask him to.

thsmith

Preamp is in the air and should be in my possession tomorrow.

Oldfatdogs

Enjoy your new pre,I hope it had a safe trip.Dan

thsmith

The SE arrived this afternoon, well not without a story. My wife was suppose to be at home but took our daughter in-law to lunch and missed the FEDEX guy. I see on the tracking there was a delivery exception at 12:01 so I start calling the house getting angrier everytime I called and no one answers.

So, I chillax and call Fedex about me picking it up and they said no problem come after 6:00PM, ok then I can get it today all is good.

I call my wife at 2:00 and she answers all happy, I ask how was lunch and she said great, then I asked if she had looked on the front porch and she said yes in a very down voice and I just paused and said nothing then she said but I went and picked it up and it is here waiting on you to get home.

I about feel out of my chair. I love my bride of 34 years, she keeps it interesting. Anyway, all is good and system is warming up.

Here are some pics.

george daniel

Good story,, fabulous pre--and a very thoughtful wife--it don't get much better,,EH?
Congrats Tracy---now go fire that puppy up and report back to us,,,even if it's in a state of bliss.:exclaim:

PSOVLSK

That is NICE! Can't wait to hear your impressions.

Great story too. If you've kept her around for 34 years and she's still doing stuff like that, I'd say you're doing ok.

SCompRacer

Congrats Tracy! Njoy!

I think 6EM7's are kewl looking tubes!