It seems that I didn't mention the model more than once so people are confused what this is and the price. I don't usually mention price or model too much in my videos, check description, its always there but for this one, I'll pin it in the comments as well: Convergent audio JL-1 monoblocks retail at the time: $26,000 CDN

Dude, no need to feel embarrassed for tearing up over music. It actually happens to me quite often. I think that the song has to move you first, but listening to your favorite music on a great system is just icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing that story.

"Emotional response" .... boy, you really nailed it this time! Music has always been an emotional experience for me, and is what I really want from my hifi. I love and need things like good soundstage, holographic imaging, proper tone and separation of instruments, but the deciding factor for me is and always shall be "does it engage me?". When a reviewer says that the gear was so engaging that they couldn't stop listening, that's when I really pay attention! And amazingly enough, there is gear that can do this at every price point!

I own both solid state and tube. Have listened to $1M systems. Nothing in my opinion beats a well designed and built tube amp.

CAT Amps are Amazing! the latest amps like the CAT JL5/JL7 and the Statements, take performance to the next level and are truly a emotional experience!

I get this level of emotional response from my ultimate diy system. There are some cuts where tears will well up spontaneously. I am in sync with the emotions of the artist when she laid down the track. The system is 110w OTL triode mono blocks driving open baffle speakers which have 60 year old alnico drivers. The linestage is passive with autoformers by Dave Slagle like the EM/IA. The source is an integrated streamer, reclocker, TDA1541A DAC with a Lampzator tube output. A SOTA clock makes the source very natural and detailed.

The tear factor is nothing to be embarrassed by. You found what you seek!

I agree with you and have said it many times myself...too many hifi reviews describe gear as bass, mids, treble, dynamics, detail, etc. None of this means anything if the gear isn't emotionally involving. Now if only you could suggest an amp that can stir up than kind of emotion for 1/10th the price so the rest of us can be brought to tears.

i found my 1/4 to 1/8th converter jack that gave me an emotional experience

Nothing like a good single ended tube amp with good output iron to bring out the emotion!

We have an old set of Philips hifi speakers (60W), only when I upgraded the interconnects with proper wire , that's when the 'goosebump' levels really got amplified. Upgrading the speaker wire (same wire as the interconnects), made some noticable difference but much less then expected. Lesson learned; upgrade cables near the source first. That's also where you can match sound much quicker with different kinds of wire. I suspect when I would go for a bigger gauge speaker wire it would improve 'more significant'. I recommend at least 0.8 mm signal wire and 1mm ground wire ( for interconnects, unshielded), by my listening experience. What was really cool is how damn LOUD I can play the speakers now. AWESOME! Phono connections I would def shield due to a more 'open' circuit'. I also prefer RCA vs XLR. Here's why ; nullifying signals with phase reversal Only works if the signal is Excactly the same. Music does not work that way from he source. Plus and minus are always different, that is how natural sound works. Unless the circuit has true four-way (2x L/R both +/-) output, you're asking for distortion aka not full nullifying /trouble

Tube amps are not unreliable. They require maintenance which is not the same thing. Bias you’re tubes to manufacturer specs and replace worn out tubes every 5 years or so depending on usage.

I had the pleasure of hearing the Convergent pre-amp and amps driving a pair of Magico S-5s recently, and I couldn't agree with you more. Not sure if the amps were JL-3 or JL-5, but were definitely from Convergent. Pick your superlative, and apply it liberally (it'll save me a lot of typing). The sound was as good as whatever it was fed....no more, no less, just an amazing journey into the recording studio. The system all but disappears. No signature sound imparted, no opinion implied, no warmth or clarity added. It's almost embarrassing to not be able to come up with a credible nitpick or complaint about the sound. After many years and many CES shows, and exposure to some amazing systems, it's simply the finest overall system I've ever heard....by a wide margin.

Also a friend of mine told me some years ago, test a JL2 in your system and the result was incredible. Unfornutatelly the amp wasn't in good condition and id not stay, was very degrated but the sound.... super wow! take care about transformers some time they are not fully silent... and the amp, JL2 particolarry generate really a lot of heat. probably JL1, 2 mono could be better.

interesting, a short while ago you said it is the ps audio bhk 250 :)

very well said 🔥🔥❤️❤️

Hi Jay, thanks for the comments on theConvergent audio JL-1 monoblocks. I'm sure they are absolutely lovely to listen to. I no doubt would be closer to audio nirvana owning a pair, but.. they cost a bit more than I'm willing to part with. You've given a lot of reviews for high performing bang for the buck integrated tube amps, but not non-integrated that I've been able to find. IBe great if you'd review some straight ahead tube amps (not so much low power 300Bs) for recommendation. If I've missed such a review in your history, please point me to it. You and folks your age are the future of this hobby and I for one appreciate your contribution. Cheers

Horning Alkibiades & an old Spark A-88T delivered something, I've never experienced before, in HIFI.. So after visiting my bank, I just HAD to buy both the speakers and the little amp... Just had to.. And I swear.. I've been a few degrees happier, every day since..

The amp that gives me emotion is my Audio Note Kit One. That's one of the best bangs for the buck, paired with Fostex speakers from Japan.

You got the mic, nice.

beautiful beasts

My small Audiozen Alchemy amp and my Casta B horn speakers are emotional

What preamp did you use, or could you directly couple it. Havevyou tried the Old British Raymond Lumleys or even Eastern Electric M156 Mk 2 monoblocs

If music makes me emotional I always think it's the musical content that's doing it, not the equipment bringing it to my ears.

For me it's definitely the audio gd r2r11 dac, regardless of price.

What headphone did you paired with ?

Music from an old transistor radio moved me more emotionally, than any high end system I've ever heard.. Now, try to explain that....

could you compare it to musical paradise MP-501 V5 ? havent listened to a ton but best amplifier i've heard is Nikko alpha 230.. 0.008/100 distortion at 1khz.. can be found used at 350$ cad =)

Been there done that, jl1 rocks 80kg 100 watt triode class A. Sold them any ways

Did I miss something? What amp is being discussed? And what is the price?

How many watts and how much usd

Is it really 26k great?

Have you heard the new Convergent Audio Technology JL5 Black Path Extreme Limited Edition amp with the CAT SL1 Renaissance BPX preamp? They have a website now.

26k right?

Will they drive Maggie’s? Or is there any tube amp that will drive Maggie’s?

I must of missed it. What are they called/ brand model number?

hahaha=I Bought a Primaluna because I don't want to buy an Amp that cost as much as a Car and Not have it Work or be reliable.

Can you say the name of these again? It's not written anywhere, thanks.

No names no packdrill

Im new in this field. Why are tube amps special? Thanks in advance

Plinius Sa reference

dudeeeeeeee...this.

So you would still tear up if a bland signal tone was played through that amplifier and speaker system? Your emotional response had nothing to do with the music you were listening to?

Are you selling them on ebayy? I've never heard such a good sales pitch. ;-)

I'm pretty sure primaluna evo 400 will sound much better or similar with much less price

26k$ for a power amp ??? 😆🤣😂🤣😂😆😆🤣😂

Tube amplifiers are far from unreliable I have 1957 magnavox with 4 push pull output tubes and every tube in it is original if u keep the basis right and it's a well built amp the tubes themselves mifght be more reliable than transistors I mean over 60 years on the tubes and still going unrealible I don't think so

These amps sound terrible, much better than today products. Can drive Wilson audio chromosomic or Alexx with authority and incredible emotion ! 85kg with such quality today would cost 80.000€ pair

i can not understand what you saying, as English is your second language do not eat words, because we do not understand what you saying!!!