Have owned/sold many brands of high end tube pre's over the years, from brands such as Audio Research, Conrad J., Audible Illusions, Sonic Frontiers, Mcintosh, and BAT, etc. I've heard the joule stuff to good effect, but no real experience there first hand...same with CARY, CAT, and so on. From what Iv'e gathered, The CAT has to be my favorite hands down for the money! I'd spend $2500 used on a CAT before before plunking down $4k or better used on a CJ16 or AR REf 1 or 2! I think CAT has it down!
Although, some might be warned that some tube pre's are better mated to tube amp's...like the Audible Illusion's stuff. That said, you might have "fun" if you ever have service issues with the AI or Sonic F preamp's. Lord knows I've had mine! I'll just leave it at that...
Although, some might be warned that some tube pre's are better mated to tube amp's...like the Audible Illusion's stuff. That said, you might have "fun" if you ever have service issues with the AI or Sonic F preamp's. Lord knows I've had mine! I'll just leave it at that...