I am a new CAT owner so just trying to find an amplifier to drive my Gamut RS7i speakers that favors there dynamics while remaining convincingly musical. I cannot live without tubes.
I think I found that amp. hopefully in the CAT JL5. I say hopefully as I just got it here yesterday and it is breaking in but so far it is convincingly real.
This amp. does not sound totally like tubes.......as it has bass to die for, most tube amps. sort of do bass. SS does that part until now. CAT does bass like no other tubes that I am aware of. Dynamics and speed are startling and these speakers are alive.....all because of this amp. It is not as colored musically beautiful as many others out there.....look elsewhere if that is number 1 on your list. If you are into PRAT, transparency, and musical honesty this will be hard to beat.
I am not a newbie to the sport. I have owned a GAT preamp....version 1. It was musical but it had a veil in transparency compared to some of the competition IMHO. Perhaps the new model is better that way. The new GAT linestage is like $24K. The CAT Renaissance S-1 is $12,990 without phono. The JL5 amp. I just bought is 120 WPC in full triode with the first 60 wpc in Class A retailing for $14,990. I disagree with the comment that CAT is priced out? CAT is so overbuilt they will drive any speaker on the planet. I think they represent a very decent value for what they have to offer.
If you look at the parts and build quality it really has no peer. The designer (Ken Stevens) really has a record product in his preamp.....over 25 years and running with enhancements. This reminds of the Linn LP 12 which in full dress still competes with many other analog devices.
In the end go listen, compare pricing vs. the competition and decide for yourself as any of this gear. I would find it hard to believe you won't be impressed.
