ARC versus Joule Electra




Hi Folks:

I greatly admire Jud Barber's work both in terms of preamp's and power amp's. His OTL creations are finest of that type of tube amp that I have ever listened too.

Has anyone ever done an A-B comparison between the ARC Reference 2 Mk2 or LS 25 MK2 (both 6H30 tubed) versus the best preamps by Mr. Barber?

Best:

D.H.
danhirsh
Pubul57...I agree but if you are assuming the OP is asking because he does not like the 6H30 based designs from ARC and prefers the more tubey 6922 based designs which will have a more similar sonic signature to the Joule Electra units, than he should have gone back before Ref 2 Mk2 and LS25 Mk 2 because those units were some of the first linestages coming out of ARC that had transitioned over to the 6H30 tubes and were really the predecessors of the current more neutral 6H30-based linestage designs from ARC. I was just pointing out the difference in designs that's all. The OP can ask for whatever comparisons he so chooses. To me the comparison does not make as much sense but that's just me.
There is a Joule LA 150MKI which I think used 6H30, and proabably sounded more like current ARC gear, Jud quickly reversed course.
Never heard the ARC but I owned the Joule LA-150 MKII and it is very lush and romantic. I have it paired with Wyred SX-1000 monos for a combination of power and romance. I listen to a lot of jazz and vocals and I love the Joule sound.
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.