My problem with using a CAT preamp is the actual usability - very large 2db volume steps (with dual controls) and no remote control. That said, have always wanted to try one.
Cat jl5
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My problem with using a CAT preamp is the actual usability - very large 2db volume steps (with dual controls) and no remote control. That said, have always wanted to try one.
Keith, in all the years I have owned the CAT, the volume control ( with its slightly larger steps) has never been a problem. Ken believes that the purity that the resistor based control brings is well worth the step issue. ( although, I believe he does offer a lower step version as an option on his new Renaissance model). The lack of a remote control...good for a little exercise, lol. ( Ken says no remote, as the circuitry is also an issue for ultimate SQ).
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Keith, in all the years I have owned the CAT, the volume control ( with its slightly larger steps) has never been a problem. Ken believes that the purity that the resistor based control brings is well worth the step issue. ( although, I believe he does offer a lower step version as an option on his new Renaissance model). The lack of a remote control...good for a little exercise, lol. ( Ken says no remote, as the circuitry is also an issue for ultimate SQ).
The Legend has pretty small steps so its easy to dial in the volume. I'm not sure about the Renaissance but I've got one of their brochures on the newest model and can check on that and report back. The Legend also has 2 gain settings that can be easily switched, but you have to take the top off. I've got mine on the high gain setting with the Maggies and listen mostly right at 12:00 on the dial. But those are not the most efficient speakers at 86 db. I was considering getting the Avantgarde Duo XD's with 107 db efficiency and if I had those speakers, that gain switch would have come in pretty handy. I might switch it to the lower setting with the Vivids that are 91 db efficiency, after a little trial and error.
Not having a remote was a big issue at first ........ but only in my mind! I don't miss it one bit but initially thought it would be a deal breaker. After living with the Legend for a couple of months, I've found that I usually listen within a range of about 3 clicks on the volume dial. I've started using small Avery labels (Office Depot) on my album covers to write down my favorite volume setting for each record. Then most of the time I listen to entire album sides all the way through. I miss the mute button more than volume because if someone walks in, like my wife, she has to shout to get my attention until I get up and turn it down. Of course that can be handled by a simple policy adjustment; "no visitors during listening sessions or visitors by invitation only!".
Heat aint a problem with CAT imo , neither the pre amp vol control, today we have the hottest sept day of the century 27 degrees , and also in summer with 30 plus no problem .
The volume step " problem " can be kind of solved with a lower wattage power amp , when i use the CAT pre ultimate mk 2 / JL 2 sign with KT 120 tubes ,very dynamic / agile and the sound can be like a freightrain so powerfull on high volume , but it can be adjusted softer and with more steps when used with a 10 or 20 watt transistor " hawk A 18 " for a substantial increase in volume .
This is off course possible only if the speakers can handle both amps.
OTL s are heat monsters the Graaf GM 200 i had was really a heater .
Only downside i find of tube power amps is the slight transformerhum that fills the room and is noticable when switched off , i do have the poweramp between the speakers , maybe the JL 5 with the new transformer core is better in that regard , plus the transformercasing can have a bit more resonance control
Still a very happy cat owner , i own the pre for 5 years and the power amp for about 2 years, no problems , very reliable
PS if 2 tube monoblocs are used it might be a different story , i dont know , one more reason to design relatively high eff. speakers , less cost less heat less parts less problems ....
The volume step " problem " can be kind of solved with a lower wattage power amp , when i use the CAT pre ultimate mk 2 / JL 2 sign with KT 120 tubes ,very dynamic / agile and the sound can be like a freightrain so powerfull on high volume , but it can be adjusted softer and with more steps when used with a 10 or 20 watt transistor " hawk A 18 " for a substantial increase in volume .
This is off course possible only if the speakers can handle both amps.
OTL s are heat monsters the Graaf GM 200 i had was really a heater .
Only downside i find of tube power amps is the slight transformerhum that fills the room and is noticable when switched off , i do have the poweramp between the speakers , maybe the JL 5 with the new transformer core is better in that regard , plus the transformercasing can have a bit more resonance control
Still a very happy cat owner , i own the pre for 5 years and the power amp for about 2 years, no problems , very reliable
PS if 2 tube monoblocs are used it might be a different story , i dont know , one more reason to design relatively high eff. speakers , less cost less heat less parts less problems ....
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I happen to really like the NOS Mullards and the NOS GE's. Tele's are also nice. The stock Ei's are ok,but I think the NOS Mullards are a lot better.
I ve used JJ ( i think thats what comes with a new unit ) i bought mine second hand so i am not sure, i like sovtek as well , to me its a class act ,i havent done much tuberolling i havent been able to get bad sound out of it no complaints
I did have the unit checked together with the tubes .
I made a mistake during transport and a switch broke of of the pre , so i had all the microswitches replaced , by shorter ones which dont stick out so much
In my pre( ultimate mk 2 ) i have white caps , the later pre s i believe use ,black caps, what foil they use i dont know , i think he makes his own
I did have the unit checked together with the tubes .
I made a mistake during transport and a switch broke of of the pre , so i had all the microswitches replaced , by shorter ones which dont stick out so much
In my pre( ultimate mk 2 ) i have white caps , the later pre s i believe use ,black caps, what foil they use i dont know , i think he makes his own
Anybody have the CAT email? I am trying to communicate with Ken and the catamps@aol.com email does not respond ie emails are returned as undeliverable.
Any impressions on the new amorphous core amps versus the older designs ?
what i didnt know was that the JL 5 can run in full triode mode , couldnt find anything about it on the CAT website
from the web somewhere :
The amplifier can be run in a Push Pull Triode configuration for
100 watts per channel, or fully Pure Class A at 50 watts per channel, pure class A triode.
or on the noise level of transformer hum versus the JL 2 .
By the way still a very happy CAT owner , and i dont have the impression i m missing anything currently
what i didnt know was that the JL 5 can run in full triode mode , couldnt find anything about it on the CAT website
from the web somewhere :
The amplifier can be run in a Push Pull Triode configuration for
100 watts per channel, or fully Pure Class A at 50 watts per channel, pure class A triode.
or on the noise level of transformer hum versus the JL 2 .
By the way still a very happy CAT owner , and i dont have the impression i m missing anything currently
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Hello MadFloyd,
Could you let me know how was the sound of your Doshi amps versus CAT amps ?
Your Doshi amps were models of the current catalog ?
Thanks in advance for your feedback ...
Another subject :
Any experience of someone with JL7 / JL5 amps in combination with Vivid speakers ?
Here is a review of the CAT JL5 by a dutch reviewer.
He liked my speakers but due to these being big / transport issues it never became a proper review.
I could see myself buy a second hand JL5 / black path and keep my JL2 sign but put 6550 s in them instead of the KT120 i have now
www.hifi-advice.com
He liked my speakers but due to these being big / transport issues it never became a proper review.
I could see myself buy a second hand JL5 / black path and keep my JL2 sign but put 6550 s in them instead of the KT120 i have now
CAT (Convergent Audio Technology) JL5 Black Path
The CAT JL5 promises the benefits of pure Triode Mode, combined with very large power reserves and the capability to drive pretty much any loudspeaker, including electrostatics.
www.hifi-advice.com
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