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Cary SLP 2002 or Joule LA 100 Mk III or?w/PassX250

All the threads about SS amp/tube preamp has me curious to give this combo a try. Possibly looking at these contenders to replace my Pass X2 preamp.

-Cary SLP 2002, the XLR is a bonus for the X250.
-Joule LA 100, Mk III

Any other recommendations are welcome, budget is around $2k or less, looking for less sterile sound, more of what tubes are all about. (AR will not work as per them (impedance issues). I've been thru all the previous threads on this subject, looking for more. Thanks & happy new year!
128x128pehare
overhang
199 posts
 
I paired my Pass X250 with Cary Slp 308 and it is perfect.
I got the best result with El.Harmonix tubes instead of Cary's stock GEs.Good luck.
jsl
29 posts
 
I use the latest version of the Joule LA-150. Jud made a tube/transformer/wiring change. I've heard many different Joule amp and preamp models. I find all of his work to be harmonically rich and easy to listen to. He really gets it. The LA-100 has a virtual cult following, I've heard. Joule could be a good idea if it mates up.

J
reb1208
518 posts
 
I have an SLP-2002 that Cary made a minor mod to. The gain stage has been loaded down to give more range on the volume control. If you have a solid state amp, this will be a great match. Far prefer the Cary to any of the ARC pre-amps that use the digital volume control. You can also use 6N1P and 6CG7 tubes for gain. 6H30 tube as well and it doesn't sound sterile in the Cary. And for the output tube, you can use just about any 12A series tube and industrial equivalents. With all these tube choices you can tailor the sound from very tubey to the other extreme of sterility.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
Why not a passive preamp?, I am currently running my X250 with a PLC Sonic Euphoria with nice results.

Fernando
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