JL3 TRIODE MONOBLOCK

Philosophy is the most important aspect of any design. CAT's philosophy is to design our products to neither add to, nor detract from, the music. We never attempt to cover up a design problem with another problem, nor do we try to introduce a supposedly complementary problem to "synergise" with it. Two wrongs do not make a right. Only the eradication of the problem is correct.

The JL3 is CAT's statement amplifier, the culmination of sixteen years of amplifier research. Following our philosophy of design, the JL3 is not designed to sound like a tube amplifier or a solid state amplifier or any sort of cross between them. This amplifier has been designed to allow the sound of music to flow through, uncoloured and unencumbered by the sound of any electronic technology.

The success of this design establishes a new paradigm for amplifier design among true music lovers everywhere.

POWER SUPPLY

·         The power transformer is encased in separate nickel-plated steel housing to contain its magnetic field.

·         The isolation transformer eliminates entry of AC power line noise into the amp, yielding greater benefits than add-on conditioners without any of their sonic drawbacks or expense.

·         Slow Filament Power-Up extends tube life greatly.

·         The Quadruple Cascaded Audio Power Supply uses time compensated zero feedback mosfets and vacuum tubes to deliver unequalled dynamic contrast, transparency and sound stage realism.

CIRCUITRY

·         -Pure Triode audio circuitry produces tonally natural music by eliminating the partition noise inherent in pentode designs and the resulting noise inter-modulation ("grain").

·         -Low feedback (about 5dB) properly compensated design eliminates the tonal dryness of high feedback and/or improperly compensated designs while yielding more consistent sound quality.

·         -Ultra-wide open loop in-circuit bandwidth of the output transformer enables operation of the amp's closed loop response entirely within the open loop response, eliminating any requirement for the output stage to perform beyond its natural capability.

·         -Massive 55lb output transformer - the biggest of any amplifier in the world - gives the JL3 bass power, authority and control greater than ANY other amplifier regardless of technology.

·         -Unprecedented stability into complex speaker loads.

·         -Naturally compensated amplifier needs no compensation capacitors.

CHASSIS

·           The heavy steel chassis is reinforced with several welded beams for tremendous strength and elimination of low frequency vibration, yielding incredible bass solidity.

·           Constrained damping layer on the top plate silences vibration before it can be converted into electro mechanical noise.

·       The output transformers are encased within their own magnetically isolated housing, which is lined with Birch plywood, one of the most musical woods, and potted in place with a combination of epoxy and elastomers The heavy steel chassis is reinforced with several wielded beams for tremendous strength and the elimination of low frequency vibration.

·       Constrained damping layer on top plate silences vibration before it can be converted to electro - mechanical noise.

·       The output transformer is enclosed for mechanical stability and control.

·       Mechanical isolation from floor vibration provided by high loss viscoelastic feet.

CONVENIENCE

·         Mirror polished stainless steel maintains lustre and brilliance with minimal care.

·         Single 10 turn master bias control per channel assures utmost sonic capability with minimum effort.

·         Built in LCD meter.

QUALITY

·         Exotic low loss aerospace circuit board material.

·         CAT wire uses ultra pure dead soft annealed copper and super low loss insulation - seven times lower than TFE Teflon.

·         CAT coupling capacitors reduce electromechanical noise to inaudible levels.

·         Low loss core material has 92% less hysteresis loss than grain oriented silicon steel used in all other transformer coupled amplifiers, and almost 100 times greater linearity.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Power:                         150 Watts into 8 ohms - class A 200 Watts into 4 ohms - class A

Frequency Response: 1 Hz to 75 kHz (+0, -3dB)

Gain:                             30.6dB (8 ohms)

Sensitivity:                    835 mV AC for full power (8 ohms)

Noise:                           110 dB below full power

Power Bandwidth:        10 Hz to 30 kHz

Damping Factor:          18

Dimensions:                27" x 18.5" x 10S' (L: W: H) 68cm x 47cm x 26cm

Weight:                        180 lbs. (82 kg)