CAT JL-2 Signature VS. Jadis JA80

Thanks for your walk-off home run worth of responses, they helped me a great deal. In talking to CAT people, it is suggested ( and from a big CAT) not to use silver wire. After hearing this plus others using something other than an SL-1 Ultimate in front of their CAT amps , I knew that my component choices would be critical for a happy life with the JL-2. I am actually hoping for a happy marriage with my FS,although I do not consider the FS to be warm sounding. I do think the KS cable is slightly warm, so hopefully I have a good start there, and Johns suggestion for Dominus may be very much on track. I hope to hear the the amp ( an upgraded mk.1) before the end of May. I will chime back with a report
afterward.

Since your speakers have an amp for the bottom 2 octaves, you have several options for amplifiers that many of the rest of us do not have. I have not heard the Vandy 5 nor the Jadis amps and yet there seems to be a consensus that both of these products are on the warm rather than the detailed/dynamic side.

I have the CAT JL-3 amps driving the SoundLab A1 speakers. In this case, I need an amp that has the ultimate in control of the speaker no matter how complex the music gets. In my setup, I have no doubt that these amps or a JL-2 would eat the Jadis for lunch when it came to retaining the dynamics and control of the music.

The CAT amps do initial attack of the notes like nothing I have ever experienced. And they have an incredible resolution of detail hidden deep in the low levels of the performance. Once you hear this and you get accustomed to this, it is very difficult to switch to another amp.

The CAT amps are NOT a typical warm sounding tube amp. If you want that greater lower mids presence, Atmasphere, older ARC amps with KT88 or the Jadis amps would most likely be a better choice.....over even the Wolcott amps.

If you were to end up with the JL-2 and you found the result to be a bit lacking in warmth, any number of preamps could come to the rescue to bring on a great balance of warmth vs. dimensionality vs. detail. I run with the Aesthetix Io/Callisto and this with the CAT amps is a match made in heaven. The portrayal of space and decays strengths from the Aesthetix and the explosive dynamic contrasts and frequency extreme coverage of the CATs makes for a wonderful sound. Notice I did not say synergy. My gut feeling is that the CAT preamp would be way too much into the "neutral zone" for your liking.

You really need to find a way to at least try these in your home. And one other thing - you have awesome cables in the K-S Emotion models. But if the CAT was almost but not quite enough of that richness and fullness, I suspect trying a couple Purist Dominus power cables or ICs could change your mind on this in a flash....not to mention even greater dynamic contrasts.

John

I would really like to be in that position!!!
(considering buying either of those two amps)

While I'm a great admirer of the Jadis JA80s (having owned them for over 10 years), I think they may be a little warmer than you're looking for. They roll the highs noticeably, so they will not be as detailed as the CAT. Their other weakness, in the deepest bass (they can be slow and overly ripe down there, though I think they are very good from the midbass up), is not a problem with you because the Vandys handle the bass on their own. I find the Jadis midrange to be among the best out there, and it is a very natural, as opposed to electronic, sounding amplifier. I would say that it probably favors classical and jazz over rock, as it will not sound as crisp on some transients (drums, guitars) as other amps I've heard. It is, however, one of the few amps around that does let you forget the equipment and listen to the music.

Can't comment on the JL-2. I heard an earlier version of the JL-1 and found it perhaps just a little lean for my taste, but otherwise a superb amp. My understanding is that the more recent versions of the CAT amps are better than the ones I heard. You really need to hear it, but I am certain it will be impressive, just don't know if it has the warmth you say you're looking for. The other amp I'd suggest you listen to and consider in your price range, if you can hear it, would be a used Lamm ML-1 or 1.1, which is what has replaced the Jadis in my system. It has the great midrange of the Jadis but a lot more upper frequency extension (but still a little on the warm side) and better dynamic performance and apparent "speed" than the Jadis, while still retaining the naturalness I so liked about the Jadis.

All of these amps are thoroughbreds and refined, though each has a character that will make it distinctive. I think when you hear them all on revealing speakers you'll have a good idea which one best suits your taste; I'd think the Vandys will accurately convey that character. Remember, of course, to factor out the bass performance because of the Vandys' powered woofers.

A friend of mine is using a jadis ja80 this sounds good.
(it's a complete jadis system (DPL, ja80, JS1+dac)

A cat jl2 is much better, jadis sound compressed and slow comparing the both. The cat has more authority, and it can sound like a 300B tube.

I highly recommend the CAT (yes i own 1!)