What happened to CAT?

Ok Erik_squires...I will have a shot at this answer....Basically, and strongly IMHO, comparing a CAT to the CJ or modern AR is going to come down to one basic aspect...Dynamics! The CAT is almost unbeatable in this regard...why, I believe due to the immense power supply the CAT enjoys. The CJ's and modern ARC's that I have heard don't quite match it....
Otherwise all are good preamps, but for me, the CAT is king. I could live with any of them, but so long as Ken Stevens is still 'sharpening' his design, it will be #1 on my list.

Thanks Davey!! That's very interesting. :)

I always think of CJ as more colorful in the pre's, but dynamic in the amps.

I hope to participants I did not come across as having an axe to grind. I'm just thinking about my next upgrades. :)

Best,

E

I A/B compared CAT vs CJ GAT at home. At vocal and non complex music, the CAT was as good as the CJ, but when the music got complex with plenty details and nuances the CJ GAT still kept everything under control. I think the CAT got a little messy compared with the CJ.
But the CJ GAT is real high end and one of the very best preamps out there I think.

geddyen, do you remember which CAT you heard? Even though the basic design has not changed that much over the years, the newer versions, and those that have been modded or tube rolled, can sound very different to the oldest models.

The reason you don’t hear too much about CAT is that they are slowly pricing themselves out of the market.