Marianne Electra Fully Balanced Memorial Preamp, LA-450ME

This fully balanced line stage belongs to the series of audio component dedicated to the memoriam of the Co-founder of Joule Electra, Marianne Electra Barber who passed away after a long illness in May 2007.

The new LA-450 Marianne Electra Memorial Preamp is for audiophiles who must use balanced amplification and demand the best. This state-of-the-art fully balanced line stage is based on the success of the recently introduced LA-300ME , winner of the "2010 HP Editor's Choice Award". It incorporates exotic capacitors through out and signal wiring designed specifically for Joule Electra by well known cable designer David Elrod of Elrod Power Systems. The signal path capacitors are a mix of Oil and Teflon V-Caps as well as Mundorf Silver, Gold and Oil which represents the very best capacitors available to the High End Audio Community, today. It has many other outstanding technological innovations.

"The LA-450 ME has has two, four tube each, balanced signal boards. It has the four balanced inputs (XLR). There are two balanced outputs as well as a single ended tape input and out put. One pair of the balanced outputs may have an optional separate volume control to facilitate the integration of another amp for the subwoofer. This volume control is a shunt to ground design which does not degrade the sound and may be used for either amplifier. Also, one balanced input can be optionally changed to the single ended input (RCA) which will have its own board and circuitry for the best sound.

The LA-450ME has almost identical chasses as LA-300 but is essentially two preamps in one case. However, in contrast to LA-300ME, it has dedicated power supply with two separate transformers (one per channel) to handle the larger load as well as two dual triode regulator tubes. This power supply has the astonishing energy storage of 300 Joules.

Unconstrained dynamically, the LA-450ME allows music to emerge with uncommon grace, speed, control and finesse. This preamp is designed to function in large scale systems and couple with even the most demanding amplifiers and loudspeaker to yield truly "great" realization of any musical program.

LA-450ME Marianne Electra Balanced Memorial Preamp is arguably, the most capable balanced line stage on the planet

FEATURES

• All Tube Design including separate tube regulated B+ supplies for each channel - dual mono construction
• Separate regulated DC filament supplies
• Four inputs including Tape In/Out - dual output jacks
• All inputs - "Virtual Direct"
• V-caps & Mundorf Caps, Elrod Wire, WBT NextGen Silver Jacks, Vishay Resistors
• Highest quality capacitors in power supplies
• Tape loop does not require buffer stage for isolation
• Separated mute relays for each channel; auto and manual mute
• Separate passive volume and balance system with 'shunt to ground' input (not in signal path)
• Rear mounted selector switch for short signal path and
• Multiple contacts in signal path
• Adjustable battery bias for gain stage
• "Tri-flex" elastomer suspension for signal board
• State-of-the-art "Sound Coat" and "Ear Isodamp Vibration" isolation materials
• Remote Included
• Warranty Parts & Labor, 3 yr