Tubes or Solid State for Joseph Audio speakers

I am using a Bel Canto REF150S driving Joseph Audio Pulsars with excellent results. I may move up the Bel Canto line in the future, have REF500Ms in other, bigger systems, and have compared the two. The bigger amps sound better, but the REF150S has been in the Pulsar system for over a year.

Seems like JA has been using the Bel Canto REF500Ms at several shows and getting rave reviews as usual, so it would seem they would be worth a listen and might be within your budget used. I think I read they're using the 500Ms to drive the new Pearl 3s at CES, which would seem to be a pretty nice endorsement if it's correct. Have no idea if they'd be a good impedance match with your tube pre, so something to check. Best of luck.

I am driving Joseph In Walls with a Wyred4Sound ST-250 and VTL TL5.5. At first I found the combo of the VTL and the ST-250 a touch too warm, the mids and bass overshadowed the highs but a tube change in the VTL from Mullard 12ax7s to some old Sylvania 12ax7 grey plates brightened it up where the sound is much more ballanced. I highly recommend both the VTL and Wyred4Sound.

I have also listened to the Pulsars with Bel Canto gear at the Capital Audio Fest and it was one of my favorite rooms at the show. Seems like Josephs like Icepower based amps.

Cheers,
Jim

I have driven my Perspectives with both tubes (VAC) and solid state (Sanders Magtech). While both have their strengths, on balance I prefer the Magtech. It is a superb combination.

I heard the Rm25xl at the Stereophile show in 2007
on the Moscode 402P hybrid integrated amplifier.
This was one of the best sounds at the show.
The Rm25xl had a really nice articulate sound and the bass was really good.
The Moscode used a passive volume control in the hybrid integrated amplifier.
I remember asking the guy at Joseph Audio about the 7 inch drivers he used in the Rm25xl speakers.
I really liked the way these drivers sounded.
He was telling me they were modified Seas drivers.
Here's a link about the Joseph Audio's RM25XL on the Moscode 402P hybrid integrated amplifier. Its at the bottom.
It used a Teas Esoteric DV 50 DVD CD player for the audio.
The Moscode 402P used a Placette Audio volume control for the volume.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue31/he2007a.htm