Bound for Sound
220 N. Main Street
Kewanee, IL 61443
309-856-5515

Martin G. DeWulf - Publisher
No. 1a/94

Components of Exceptional Merit

Joule Electra, LA-100, line stage: $2495.
Oh no, not another tube preamp! Yes, and how sweet it is… But, I’ve never had a preamp that took so long to reach its full potential, and I’m not sure that it’s totally broken in yet. It continues to sound better and better every day. The complete review is on the way – still there are a few things that I would like to expound upon more fully to establish the LA-100 as a bonafide "Exceptional" product.

Starting with the chassis, the preamp is of special construction that endeavors to limit tube microphonics to inaudibility with a heavily damped chassis that, with the exception of the top plate, is extremely inert (and the TG mortar and lead block took care of that). Unlike most "tube" preamps which do not have a tube based power supply, the LA-100 is thermonic from input to output, and it does have many of the positive aspects of tube sound – BUT – this preamp does not take euphonic colorations to their tubular limits. Just when you think "Gee, this preamp sure sounds pretty. Could my software really sound this nice?", put on a poorly recorded disc and see how purdy things are then! After months of auditioning it is abundantly clear; the LA-100 reproduces the fundamental and the full harmonic content of the music it is playing, its sonic signature is that of being full, complete and correct. It’s not perfect, but comes close. Final thoughts to come in an upcoming letter.