Component Reviews
The Joule Electra LA-150
A solid perfectionist two-channel preamp
Published on December 01, 2005
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The Joule Electra
LA-150
SRP: $5495
I have always been a fan of Jud Barber’s gear and really enjoyed the sound he was showing off at this year’s CES, so I jumped at the chance to review the LA-150 line stage. At $5495, (no phono stage) this little black box isn’t cheap, but if you have a system with enough resolution, you won’t be disappointed. Its understated elegant design will look right at home with the rest of your two-channel system.
Why so expensive you ask? A quick peek inside will tell you everything you need to know. The mechanical quality is fantastic and all circuit wiring is point to point with Cardas wire. Cardas jacks are also featured and the usual cast of high quality characters (Holco, Vishay, MIT, etc.) are all present and accounted for. In addition to very high quality parts, the power supply is massive and features tube rectification and regulation. While some will argue the merits of solid-state rectification vs. tubes, personally I have always found tube rectification a touch more musical in a preamp. You will have to be the ultimate judge on this one, but I think Mr. Barber has hit a home run here.
For those of you who are major tube geeks, the LA-150 uses a Mu follower circuit featuring a pair of 6350 tubes fed by a pair of Russian 6C45Pi tubes. The preamp has very low gain, with an overall gain of only 11db, which is part of the reason this thing is so quiet. The gain stage is DC-biased with a pair of small batteries. Joule-Electra claims that they are the only ones doing this, but the Modwright SWL 9.0 SE line stage also uses this trick with excellent results. Either way, it works very well.
There are four inputs, all high level, and two outputs. In the event that you need more gain, you can reset the jumpers inside the preamp according to the instructions. About the only time you may have to do this is if you are a McCormack DNA-500 owner, as this amplifier needs a lot of power to drive it to maximum output. I just happened to be testing the DNA-500 when this preamp was delivered, so this was in fact true and easy to remedy.
The system I had been listening to for quite sometime when I received the LA-150 consisted of the new ESP Bodhran SE speakers, the McCormack DNA-500 power amplifier, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE line stage, Modwright Modified Denon Disc player and a LP front end consisting of a modified Rega P25 with the Shelter 501 cartridge and the Whest .20 phono stage. All interconnects were DH Labs Silver Revelation and all power cords were Essential Sound Products Essence Reference. Power conditioning duties were handled by the Running Springs Jaco.
First off, break-in takes a while with the LA-150. Right out of the box with the stock power cord, it is a bit thin, but don’t panic. It gets better at about 50 hours and really sings after about 200 hours. While I still thought it was a touch thin for my tastes, switching the stock power cord to the Essence Reference was just what the doctor ordered. Mr. Barber even mentions substituting the power cord for a better one in the manual if you want a bit more bass. Another nice touch on the LA-150, is that it doesn’t shut off all the way, but stays in standby mode, extending tube life. Other preamplifiers I have owned with this feature have been very easy on tubes, so I expect this one to be the same.
Ok, now that you know all the techie stuff, it sounds GREAT. If you are searching for a line stage that is very neutral, dynamic, but not very “tubey” sounding, than the LA-150 could be the grail you are seeking. The Modwright is a killer for $2500 bucks and because of its Mu follower design and battery bias, has a very similar sonic signature if you are on a budget and like that kind of sound. However, if you have the extra three grand, the Joule Electra is very refined indeed. As always, the rest of your system will dictate this purchase.
I ended up using the LA-150 with a few other amplifiers as well with great results. I also used it with the Monarchy SM-70 Pro amplifiers and my WAVAC MD-300B in my low power system and was not unhappy with either configuration. Solid state or tube lovers should all have great luck with this preamp, but again, keep in mind this one is very neutral, so if you have a system that is a bit thin or a bit warm, the LA-150 will not change the character of what you already have.
I listened to a wide range of different music, from the required female vocalists all the way to Led Zeppelin with outstanding results. The soundstage is very wide and deep, along with a very fast, transparent presentation. While I am not a classical listener, a few good friends that brought over their favorite discs were very pleased with the sound. All felt that the tonal quality of the LA-150 was very accurate indeed.
In the end, the LA-150 is highly recommended. Heck, I’d buy the darn thing just because Jud Barber is such a nice guy, but rest assured it has the performance to become an integral part of a very high quality 2 channel music system. Seriously consider a good power cord, and a Symposium Ultra base to get every last molecule of sound the LA-150 is capable of delivering. And remember; this one possesses a very neutral sound. If that’s your cup of tea, this one’s for you.
-- Jeff Dorgay
LA-150
SRP: $5495
I have always been a fan of Jud Barber’s gear and really enjoyed the sound he was showing off at this year’s CES, so I jumped at the chance to review the LA-150 line stage. At $5495, (no phono stage) this little black box isn’t cheap, but if you have a system with enough resolution, you won’t be disappointed. Its understated elegant design will look right at home with the rest of your two-channel system.
Why so expensive you ask? A quick peek inside will tell you everything you need to know. The mechanical quality is fantastic and all circuit wiring is point to point with Cardas wire. Cardas jacks are also featured and the usual cast of high quality characters (Holco, Vishay, MIT, etc.) are all present and accounted for. In addition to very high quality parts, the power supply is massive and features tube rectification and regulation. While some will argue the merits of solid-state rectification vs. tubes, personally I have always found tube rectification a touch more musical in a preamp. You will have to be the ultimate judge on this one, but I think Mr. Barber has hit a home run here.
For those of you who are major tube geeks, the LA-150 uses a Mu follower circuit featuring a pair of 6350 tubes fed by a pair of Russian 6C45Pi tubes. The preamp has very low gain, with an overall gain of only 11db, which is part of the reason this thing is so quiet. The gain stage is DC-biased with a pair of small batteries. Joule-Electra claims that they are the only ones doing this, but the Modwright SWL 9.0 SE line stage also uses this trick with excellent results. Either way, it works very well.
There are four inputs, all high level, and two outputs. In the event that you need more gain, you can reset the jumpers inside the preamp according to the instructions. About the only time you may have to do this is if you are a McCormack DNA-500 owner, as this amplifier needs a lot of power to drive it to maximum output. I just happened to be testing the DNA-500 when this preamp was delivered, so this was in fact true and easy to remedy.
The system I had been listening to for quite sometime when I received the LA-150 consisted of the new ESP Bodhran SE speakers, the McCormack DNA-500 power amplifier, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE line stage, Modwright Modified Denon Disc player and a LP front end consisting of a modified Rega P25 with the Shelter 501 cartridge and the Whest .20 phono stage. All interconnects were DH Labs Silver Revelation and all power cords were Essential Sound Products Essence Reference. Power conditioning duties were handled by the Running Springs Jaco.
First off, break-in takes a while with the LA-150. Right out of the box with the stock power cord, it is a bit thin, but don’t panic. It gets better at about 50 hours and really sings after about 200 hours. While I still thought it was a touch thin for my tastes, switching the stock power cord to the Essence Reference was just what the doctor ordered. Mr. Barber even mentions substituting the power cord for a better one in the manual if you want a bit more bass. Another nice touch on the LA-150, is that it doesn’t shut off all the way, but stays in standby mode, extending tube life. Other preamplifiers I have owned with this feature have been very easy on tubes, so I expect this one to be the same.
Ok, now that you know all the techie stuff, it sounds GREAT. If you are searching for a line stage that is very neutral, dynamic, but not very “tubey” sounding, than the LA-150 could be the grail you are seeking. The Modwright is a killer for $2500 bucks and because of its Mu follower design and battery bias, has a very similar sonic signature if you are on a budget and like that kind of sound. However, if you have the extra three grand, the Joule Electra is very refined indeed. As always, the rest of your system will dictate this purchase.
I ended up using the LA-150 with a few other amplifiers as well with great results. I also used it with the Monarchy SM-70 Pro amplifiers and my WAVAC MD-300B in my low power system and was not unhappy with either configuration. Solid state or tube lovers should all have great luck with this preamp, but again, keep in mind this one is very neutral, so if you have a system that is a bit thin or a bit warm, the LA-150 will not change the character of what you already have.
I listened to a wide range of different music, from the required female vocalists all the way to Led Zeppelin with outstanding results. The soundstage is very wide and deep, along with a very fast, transparent presentation. While I am not a classical listener, a few good friends that brought over their favorite discs were very pleased with the sound. All felt that the tonal quality of the LA-150 was very accurate indeed.
In the end, the LA-150 is highly recommended. Heck, I’d buy the darn thing just because Jud Barber is such a nice guy, but rest assured it has the performance to become an integral part of a very high quality 2 channel music system. Seriously consider a good power cord, and a Symposium Ultra base to get every last molecule of sound the LA-150 is capable of delivering. And remember; this one possesses a very neutral sound. If that’s your cup of tea, this one’s for you.
-- Jeff Dorgay
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