Opinions on this Joule Electra LA100 Markiii Unit?

stretchl

If any of you Joule enthusiasts or electronics experts have opinions on this unit I'd appreciate hearing from you. The modifications ("circuit board mounting changes") strike me as a little extreme if I'm looking for a classic JE. The more I read about the Joules and Jud the more I respect them and him.

If the seller doesn't look after his hi-fi equipment any better than he does his patio furniture all bets are off.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649431831-joule-electra-la100-mkiii-upgraded/

@tonyb @kharp1

stretchl

Thanks, Skip. Off my list.

kharp1

DSkip wrote: »

That board is a hot mess. I wouldn't spend the dough on it, nor would I post pictures of the internals or the patio furniture.

I would caution about taking advice on audio equipment based on internal design or photo shoot location instead of having actually heard a similar piece. Having said that, I would agree with Skip that the board is a mess. There isn't much room there to put those caps to begin with. That's why I decided to raise my board and mount some caps under as well as on top. Besides the layout, I guess the Jantzens are ok, but, they weren't my first choice. The piece is probably worth a less than what he is asking considering the description used to assess time on upgrade.

Viking64

It looks like some kid threw a bunch of M-80s into a box of chocolates.

stretchl

kharp1 wrote: »

I would caution about taking advice on audio equipment based on internal design or photo shoot location instead of having actually heard a similar piece.

Honestly, and this is going to sound bourgeois, I want one that is true to what Jud envisioned and created. It's like a piece of art.

tonyb

stretchl wrote: »

kharp1 wrote: »

I would caution about taking advice on audio equipment based on internal design or photo shoot location instead of having actually heard a similar piece.

Honestly, and this is going to sound bourgeois, I want one that is true to what Jud envisioned and created. It's like a piece of art.

Nothing wrong with that, as I find mine to be perfectly acceptable in it's original form.

Like Kerry said, it's hard to judge by the layout on the board, many have done upgrades/mods to these that require a bit more work and board changes as Kerry can attest to.

F1nut

It may look like a mess, but to fit larger caps in such a limited space requires it to look like it does. Actually, it doesn't look like a bad job. However, those would not be my cap choice. The caps that Jud used were ok, but nothing special.

stretchl

“What’s the advantage of the larger caps,” asked the novice?

F1nut

I can't argue your point Skip. I'm sure I could have made that prettier.

stretchl

DSkip wrote: »

Better capacitors are generally larger. Capacitors can make a component sound horrid or transcendental.

Why and why, por favor?

tonyb

Why ? Caps have different sound signatures just like anything else. Some better, some worse, depending on the circuit they are used in. There's more to design and build than meets the eye.

ZLTFUL

There are many improvements to be had using modern film capacitors versus lower end film capacitors and electrolytics.

Most manufacturers use the minimum priced component that will acceptably do the job but will still allow them to meet a specific price point.
Think government contracts...best plane for the lowest price kind of thing.
Most of the time, this is an electrolytic or a lower end film capacitor.

First, the largest advantage to film capacitors over electrolytics is longevity. electrolytics degrade over time and will begin to move away from their spec. Sometime substantially if the cap develops a leak.

With film capacitors, as you move up the quality scale, you get improved dielectric materials, better quality conductive films being used and usually much better construction methodologies.

All of the above will typically get the job done. But with better materials, you get better quality of signal.

stretchl

Don’t know if I ever shared with the forum that I am now the happy owner of this Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii. Very satisfied with the results. Thanks for wvweyone’s Input.

http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/Joule-Electra/LA-100-MK-III/w-Synergistic-Black/189408

tonyb

Cool man, how you liking it ? Do you see what I meant when I said they get things musically right ? Rockin' some good NOS tubes in it too I hope.

stretchl

Thanks, Tony.

I’m hearing elements I’d never before noticed on a variety of recordings. Was sitting slack-jawed the other night listening to Bowie’s “Young Americans.” Really made me appreciate his voice in ways I never had before. Also opened doors for me with Lennon & Yoko’s “Double Fantasy,” et al. And that’s been Apple Lossless files streaming via a Squeezebox Touch.

Re: Tubes: Haven’t started down the rolling road yet. Really want to get a good handle on what the unit does as delivered, as a good baseline.

One practical feature I’m grateful to have in a pre - A balance control. Really helps vis-a-vis some tinnitus related hearing loss I have in my right ear.

F1nut

It's pretty well established what the best tubes in that Joule are. If you don't have them in there now you're just wasting time.