Broken CAT

Mt resposne to to the Lamm in the system was similar to 42659, the sound was some how juicier and individual instruments were less spotlighted, that is, they were still distinct, but as if all playing toghether in the same room - I always felt the CAT pre had great detail, but I also felt like I was disecting the sounds rather than listening to the music as whole. Thanks for the tip on the Jadis, I will investigate.

It would seem to some extent that perosnal preference would dictate what is best - an elusive notion. I bought the CAT-pre to go with the CAT-amp because the pre has been highly regarded, well reviewed, and an evolved product. And whether it is "your cup of tea" or not, nobody is going to argue it is not a fine preamplifier. I imagine that most users buying one of the CAT amps will almost autmatically assume the CAT pre is a mighty match - and don't get me wrong - the system sounded very good indeed before a clumsily damaged the pre. I was just suprised how much I enjoyed the sound with the LAMM LL2. I think JAFOX took the right approach by listening to alternative preamplifier and not accepting any assumptions about what would be best for his amps. My little accident has now gotten me to wondering what the sound would be like using my JL2s with a Herron, First Sound, Hovland, deHavilland, Joule et.al. I guess one of my reasons with going with the CAT pre in first place was to avoid wondering about all these combinations and the time and effort it would take to really evalaute them. I'm happy with the LAMM now, but...