Pre: Audible Illusions vs Joule-Electra vs ARC?

I owned a Mod3 for many years and still own an LA-100 (and an ARC LS-25, FWIW).

The AI is a great sounding piece: it's full/rich in a typically tubey way. It's relatively inexpensive and has a very nice phono stage. Unfortunately, AI is legendary for poor customer service, so buying an older used piece may be a recipe for trouble. Also, ergonomics (no remote, dual volume controls) may not be for everybody.

My impression is that the Joule sounds less overtly tubey, and more transparent to the source material. It is a bit leaner in the mid-bass than the AI. I got the sense that, like the AI, it might limit the system's ultimate "thump" and power around the 50-60 hz kick drum zone, but it's hard to say that with real confidence.

OTOH, the Joule never goes to the "analytical" side of things and keeps a bit of tube flavor. My ARC LS flirts with a more SS presentation, but it's generally considered the ARC most inclined to do that, so I'd warn against assuming that's true of the SP you're also considering.

The Joule strikes me as a good balance between classic SS and classic tube sound. If you really want more tube richness, the AI might bark up your tree.

Good Luck.

Marty

River,

One reason I kept the Joule was that I liked the sound a lot - especially into my primary speakers at that time, Verity Parsifal Encores. IMHO, the AI was a better match for my other main speakers, Merlin VSMs. Both of the above observations subject to choice of power amplifier.

The VSMs ended up in a second system which - as a practical matter - required a remote controlled preamp, so the AI was sold off.

Therefore, I would't read too much into my choice of which pre to keep.

I think it's really a matter of features, ergonomics, system matching, brand confidence (good to hear that AI seems to be getting better) and personal "sonic" preference in this one.

Marty