Joule Preamps?

Sorry I did not see this earlier. According to my conversation with Jud at RMAF, the reason for putting the 6350 tubes back in the circuit for the LA-150 MkII is to regain some of the musicality that was lost in the LA-150 MkI. I compared the LA-150 MkI to an LA-100 MkIII and while there was better extension at the frequency extremes, bass was tighter most notably, the LA-150 MkI was more neutral and less musical than the LA-100 MkIII. The LA-150 Mk1 sounded a lot like the Herron preamp I compared to the LA-100 MkIII. More neutral and less musical, but a great preamp nonetheless.

To me the LA-100 MkIII was very musical and engaging. While warm, it was also a tad more neutral than most tube preamps I have heard. I really miss mine which I sold because of a mismatch with my amp (couldn't get far enough around on the volume control before reaching maximum volume for my rom size). Ironically I am using a passive right now, the K&K TVC that uses S&B TX-102 transformers. In comparison, the TVC is more transparent, neutral, revealing, but still slightly warm (I have the MkI versions of the S&Bs). It makes having lost the Joule less painful.

The Joule and your Merlins should go nice together. The Joule/Merlin combination I heard at RMAF was extremely musical.

Pubul57, I would not say that my TVC is warmer than the LA-150 MkI, just that it is a tad warmer than most passive preamps. If you like the Placette as much as you indicate, I don't think the LA-150 MkI is going to cut it for you. Yes it is neutral, it is revealing, but I think it will not match the transparency and frequency balance your Placette gives you. It will come close, but you may regret the buying decision and unlike other gear, for reasons unknown to me, the Joule units don't have very good resale value.

Sometimes the best solution is right under your nose.

Pubul57, I totally understand what you are saying. I own Spendor 1/2e speakers and they are neutral, so going from a Joule LA-100 MkIII to a K&K TVC had me a bit worried that I would lose too much of the magic in my system. Well it turns out I was wrong. While I did lose a bit of the magic, I certainly made up for it in spades with transparency, detail and frequency balance.

I love the Joule LA-100 MkIII, I'm sorry I sold mine, I will own another one some day (or maybe an LA-150 MkII). However, if I do buy another Joule, the TVC isn't going anywhere. I learned my lesson the first time around.

Paul, yes I also feel it's a bit self indulgent, but listening to a lot of different components makes the hobby fun. Right now I rotate a couple of preamps and a few digital sources in my system, not to mention cable swapping.

I did have a chance to hear the Placette active at RMAF. Obviously not the best environment to listen. I suppose if I saw one come up used I may be tempted to try it. Guy certainly has a great reputation so I don't think I'd have much to lose by trying it out.

Congratulations on your purchase. Please let us know how it works out for you.