What's the current CAT Preamp lineup? What are the sonic differences?

[caesar]

It's a shame, but CAT doesn't have a website. Does anyone know what their current preamp line up is? And what are the sonic differences as you move from one preamp to another in the lineup?

 

[DaveyF]

Caesar, I believe that the current line up for the CAT preamp is: The Renaissance and the Legend. As to the sonic difference, I have NOT heard the latest Legend, BUT the Renaissance is superb IMHO.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

It's a shame, but CAT doesn't have a website. Does anyone know what their current preamp line up is? And what are the sonic differences as you move from one preamp to another in the lineup?

That’s the first time I have heard of a hifi brand that does not have a website.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Didn’t relize this thread is so old.sorry

 

[caesar]

Please don't be discouraged by "old" gear. Many guys buy into the marketing aspect of this hobby and chase the latest thing on the magazine cover, falsely thinking : "finally that nirvana....".

But for guys who crave the emotional connection to the music, even older CAT models smoke most of the recent brands and audiophile drek that's out there. (And of course the newer CAT gear has the resolution of the top newer gear.)

 

[knghifi]

That’s the first time I have heard of a hifi brand that does not have a website.

Convergent Audio Technology website - Amps and Preamps

Convergent Audio Technology (better known as CAT amps) engineers and manufactures the world's best HiFi stereo audio amplifiers and preamplifiers. Famous for making the legendary SL1 preamp.

www.catamps.com

CAT don't need advertisement, reviews ... sells once hear it.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Convergent Audio Technology website - Amps and Preamps

Convergent Audio Technology (better known as CAT amps) engineers and manufactures the world's best HiFi stereo audio amplifiers and preamplifiers. Famous for making the legendary SL1 preamp.

www.catamps.com

CAT don't need advertisement, reviews ... sells once hear it.

Thanks for update. There products are excellent.

 

[Phantom-Audio]

I use a modified Line Magentic Power Supply same tube setup as John wolff, They have transformed the speakers completely compared to the SS Power Supplies he used to supply.

 

[Garry1]

great, thanks for the update!

respect. owner
staff monitoring

 

[andromedaaudio]

I have listened to a special edition of the CAT ultimate MK2 for 11 years .
I swapped it 5 months ago for a young Legend pre amp .
The most obvious difference is refinement , you hear more detail .
To my surprise they sound very different in the Bass region , the legend sounds slightly leaner , i reckon it is actually slightly more balanced / neutral , but it needs time to get used to

Both are great natural sounding pre amps , with total control over the freq range

 

[andromedaaudio]

I talked to ken Stevens in munich and he suggested i try out high gain in the legend pre amp .

I tried and my pre got even better seems like more bass extension / more dynamics .
It could well be that the difference i heard in the bass were due to the switch being on low gain.

Tubes rule.


And a picture of the Black gate caps , where ken seemed very enthousiastic about.
(Current version uses Black path caps )

You can also see the use of teflon in the circuit boards .
Apparently the biggest difference between the new JL5 version and my CATJL5 black path are teflon circuit boards .

Imo 8 ohm tap on the power amp and high gain in the pre sounds the best .
I ve never used the phono as i run tape