Preamp shootout: Joule, CJ, BAT


Just finishing up listening after weekend shootout. Thanks to dealers and my friend. The BAT 50 SE, the CJ 14 and the Joule Electra 100 MkIII (think up a shorter name!) The winner, Joule by a slender margin over the CJ. The Joule had it in bass and layering of instruments and air. The CJ was lush, not as lush as my earlier model, but now a little glare (the difference in signal tubes now used I think, versus the NOS in the Joule.) The CJ has definitely changed its sound and is not as "round" as before. The Joule is just tighter and places instruments in real space better, giving it a seamless sound. The BAT was probably not a factor after the first day. No one (5 total listeners) liked it much, got no votes. Kinda flat and noisy too. The quietness of the Joule might have influenced our verdict on the noiseness of the BAT. Maybe we should have changed the tubes, but no time. All preamps (LS) broken in. Amps included Art Audio monos, ARC 100s trioded to 50 watts, CJ 75 watt monos, CJ 75 watt stereo, Mesa Baron EL. Soliloquy, Merlin and Martin Logan speakers. Totems sig ones briefly. (This is work!) I'm buying the Joule for it's width, depth, quietness, separation of instruments, bass, and best balance between warmth and clarity. For those shopping out there, get the used Joules. They are a bargain at Audiogon prices. Best speakers were Merlin first, Martin Logan second, Totem third and Soliloquy tied with the Totems (pretty good little speakers! But highly modded by my friend, including new wiring, etc.) Wish I had more time...but that's the short version. BTW, all the preamps/LS are about the same price retail. and quick, best amps were Mesa triode zero feedback EL34 tied with Art Audio on efficient speakers. I'll post more later if I can if people want to discuss. The Martin Logans with REL are mine but I think after this exhausting shootout (best cables were Analysis plus and Synchestra Signature) I might go for the Merlins which really shocked me with their electrostatic like disappearing act and bass. (How do they get that bass!) Post again if it flames up.
macinman6d4e
Thanx Karlojay - is there a website with info on joule? Where can you get info on the company - just curious, might mate one with my Classe/Thiel combo. Great thread - I'm also a big Meridian fan, still using the 200 series trans and dac.
Macinman- I own a Mesa Baron and am looking to move from the 6L6 tubes to el34's. Any recommendations? My amp has been tri tube modified. Was the Joule the clear winner with the Mesa as well?
The best buy is their own El 34s, believe or not theirs are cheaper and better matched pairs. They once had a deal with expen$ive Gold Aero tube company and tho mine were re-labled they were Gold Aeros--I bought 16 for future use! Cheap, matched to many parameters, and warm and sweet. Best I ever heard...probably the highest grade Gold Aeros at a fraction of their retail price. Another audio bargain. Check systems of reviewers, tons of them use it at triode switch with zero feedback switch. Beats my ARC monos easily.
i agree with all the posts--i picked up a joule mk2 for $1200, oh yeah its a keeper. big time. however, the footers can be improved--jud likes the black diamond racing, but i had better luck w/ TG Audio Pointy Things & Pasty Things. the bass got a LOT tighter. pretty amazing.

power cord experiments starting next week---more to come!

rhyno