Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Convergent Audio Technology JL-3 Signature Amplifier (Tube) by 90493m

Model:	JL-3 Signature
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$30,000
Description:	mono blocks
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by 90493m ( A ) on April 18, 2005 at 19:45:28
IP Address: 65.124.37.12

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for the JL-3 Signature

As a belated follow up to my review I have to confess that my long term contentment with the JL-3 does not seem to match its initial promise. Unlike the Wavac 833's which I found to be a very good long term amp. The JL-3's lost some of their appeal over time. They do alot of things well but they ultimately wear somewhat thin in much the same way many good ss units do. In the overall spectrum they lean more towards the ss side than the se side. They do the extremes better than most tube amps but seemingly at the expense of the midrange.

I think they are designed more for dynamic speakers which can use a subtle enhancement at extremes than for more sensative ribbons or ESL(which I prefer)

Product Weakness: not really up to the stds set by good se tube amps in the midrange
Product Strengths: very good bass and overall clarity

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	CAT J:L-3, TRL GT-400
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT SL-1, Zanden
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Zanden dac, MIcro Seiki tt
Speakers:	MBL 101 e, Apogee Full Range
Cables/Interconnects:	Silversmith
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Symphony, classic rock
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	not really up to the stds set by good se tube amps in the midrange
Product Strengths:	very good bass and overall clarity