ARC versus Joule Electra

Cmalak, I hear what you are saying, but there is no reason to believe that 10-year old ARC, or 20 year old ARCs may not be as good or better as the current line-up, lot's of reasons for new models other than a constant upward progression, I never liked the move from 6922 to 6H30, for example. I think distinguishing ARC from Joule is pretty easily heard, Joule is more a meat on the bones sound, and most ARCs of recent vintage are leaner by comparison (not meaning better or worse, just different). Which you prefer may have as much to do with the amps and speakers you are using as anything else.

I think that HPs comments on the LA150MKII capture the essence of the preamps sound and the Joule sound in general, but for the LA150MKI which was a different animal all together compared to the house sound. If you can read HPs review, you get the idea of what to expect, and very different soundscape from what you can expect from ARC, I think. All great preamps in their own right.

There is a Joule LA 150MKI which I think used 6H30, and proabably sounded more like current ARC gear, Jud quickly reversed course.

Let us know what you decide. Either way they are both excellent preamps, but as you might suspect different and only you can decide which type of sound you prefer, I'm sure you could resell either one easily if one is not your cup of tea.