Joule Electra LAP-150 Full Function All Tube preamp (With built in OPS-1 MM/MC Phono)

JOULE ELECTRA LAP-150 MK1 ALL TUBE PREAMP (Has Built In Joule OPS-1 MM/MC ALL TUBE PHONO PREAMP) - USED - $1,995 plus shipping

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SORRY, the below is long as there is a bunch of info I want to convey about the history, design, work done, and performance aspects of this preamp.

I have freshly reconditioned/repaired this all tube Joule-Electra preamp. It started off life as a LA-100MKIII approximately 20 years ago and was upgraded by Joule-Electra to the Russian tube based LA-150MK1 line stage (uses 2 6C45 and one 6H30 tubes) likely somewhere around 2003. ALSO, at that time or some time after that, the external power supply was replaced with a new one (the original was very likely one of the cage looking affairs). So, the external power supply has the smaller chassis with lexan flace plate look to it that was seen on new LAP preamps and OPS series phono preamps made from the mid about 2000's on.

It has built in a Joule OPS-1 MM/MC tube phono preamp (MK2 or MK3) next to the line stage in the main chassis and the bulk of the power supply is in the external chassis. I've gone through this preamp and have tested all the tubes, replaced a bunch (all the line stage and some of the phono stage tubes) I then went through and replaced selected electrolytic caps in the main chassis (all the ones on the phono preamp board and a couple on the underside of the line stage board).

Then all functions of this preamp were thoroughly checked to be sure the preamp and phono stage are working properly and all factory adjustments have been set to Joule's original factory specs. I then stuck the preamp in my main HiFi rig and used it for about 10 days, giving it 8 hours or so use each day to be sure it was working normally/reliably.

When new, this was about a $5,000 preamp and the LA-150 line stage upgrade was about $1,000. Our asking price for this wonderful piece which is complete with a new remote, box, and manual is $1,995 plus shipping.

PROS and CONS:
These are wonderful full function preamps that have a smooth, musical character/tone, wonderful soundstaging and a pretty sweet all tube MM/MC phono preamp. Its only weak point is that in MC gain mode it does not work well with rather low output moving coil cartridges (around .3mV or less) and can be subject to RFI/EMI from nearby amps/DACs if they are not well shielded designs (cited on the shelf immediate above or below the main chassis for example). If you prize a low noise phono preamp, this is likely not for you! The phono preamp lacks any kind of cartridge loading as well which is fixed at 50K ohms. It works great in MM gain mode and is much less prone to external interference in this mode with MM or HOMC cartridges.

BTW, apparently this LA-150MK1 Russian tube based line stage apparently has the rep among some of being a bit dry/thin sounding or lacking bass..... BULLSHIT. While the LA-150 (MK1) is not as full/warm as the fairly rich sounding LA-100MKIII it replaced, none of these LA150MK1 Joule preamps resembles a thin solid state or "Audio Research" type tube preamp sound. Just my 2 cents as a guy who has been selling and listening to Joule-Electra gear for 20 plus years.

COSMETICS/CONDITION:

Cosmetic condition is good. Face plates are in great condition, top covers have some marks and the external power supply top cover has some spots were the cover looks to have been scratched then touched up. - I think a 6/10 is a fair rating. RCA Jacks have typical wear of a preamp of this age. You will not be able to find this combination of features in a new tube preamp at anywhere near this price.

Signature Sound is a small Hi-End HiFi shop located near Syracuse New York. We have been in business since 1990. Feel free to check out our website www.sigsound.com or call us at 315-622-4137 with any questions. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal. A note to my fellow New Yorkers.... New York state residents (i.e sales billed/shipped to a New York State address) will be charged applicable local New York state sales tax on the total sale amount.

Signature Sound is a authorized dealer for: Audience Cables, Atma-Sphere, Clearaudio, Cardas Cables, Benz Micro Cartridges, Fried Audio Speakers, DH Labs, Dynavector, EAR USA, Grado Labs, JPS Labs, Joule-Electra, iFi Audio, Kiseki, Merlin Music Systems, Musical Surroundings, Mark Audio-SOTA Speakers, Power Modules (Belles), Rega Research, Roon Labs Nucleus, Rogue Audio (NEW!), Ryan Speakers, and Wavelength Audio.

We are also the lone USA Authorized Dealer/Distributor for Ars Sonum amplifiers, and we offer service, support, AND upgrades for Merlin Music Systems speakers and BAMs as well as Joule-Electra amplifiers and preamplifiers