Jadis JA30 Mk2, how great???

Daveyf:

So happy for you! Isn't music great when it moves to treat your inner spirits.
Music will do more for you than that new California Canabus (marijuana) law that just passed ha. 
Just remember now if you are happy to not change anything. Life will be good with that advice.
Will keep you posted on my final journey. CAT Black Path preamp. shows up today.
My Best,
Gwalt

Gwalt, glad to hear that the CAT Black Path preamp finally showed up and now you will be enjoying it in your super system.
To say a BIG smile will appear on your face once it is broken in a little, is an understatement! These preamps rarely show up on the used market...and for VERY good reason. Ken has ’sharpened’ his design over the years, but IME even the older models can still show off almost all of the current competing contenders...and with ease!!! Says a lot about his newer gear.
Remember, consider tube rolling as a way to add some nitro to the engine, but don’t do it until some time has gone by. You will shake your head in amazement once those NOS tubes are rolled in, LOL.

Davey:
I have 6 hours on it and following break in protocol. Run awhile and then let sit awhile turned off to allow caps to fully charge/discharge etc.
I can take the hint from listening so far that this is a very special piece of gear. 
To say it is refined would be an understatement! Smooth with dynamic holographic imaging and it is not even broke in. Now starting to get that dynamic contrast that this preamp. is noted for. Wow this is so fun to listen to driving the CAT JL5.
As you know it is built like a tank. I found that out when unboxing. 
My goal was to end the equipment journey and this CAT combination should end it for anyone I would guess.  
It has many hours to go to fully develop and it makes you want to listen with the powerful dynamic presentation that is so refined. Makes one realize how important the preamp. is to a stereo as is the engine in a car.
Gwalt

Gary, the CAT preamp is the heart of the system...you can work around it, but it will be the strength of your system with most any ancillary gear....like you said it is the engine. Before, I think you were working with a 4 cylinder motor....now you are working with a 12 cylinder motor.

Davey:

What I have noticed as of now with only 20 hours is its drive performance and refinement. Moving the soundstage back about 3 rows the whole room is now just full with massive 3D weight. The CAT Black Path has a lot of caps so many hours to go. Wow!
The 4 ohm tap and 8 ohm tap on the JL5 CAT amp. have two distinct purposes. On the Gamut RS7i speakers on 4 ohm the speaker exhibits more control but is not as extended or open. Now with this preamp. I prefer the 8 ohm tap for its openness. I have learned that even though your speaker might be a 4 ohm speaker (the Gamut is 4 ohm down to 2.6 ohm at 120 hz) it does not mean the CAT amp. cares. Further reading in the manual Ken Stevens reiterates the 8 ohm tap will likely sound better on electrostats.  Now moving to that tap I prefer it also. 
I know initially I had trouble giving up remote volume control but the longer run of interconnect fixed that. Now I am afraid I have created a lazy man situation where I am 18 inches from all settings. The only time needed to ever get up is to change a record and then it is 2 feet away. I can change CD's from my listening position.
Now in retirement this is just pure heaven having this type of sound. 
I have a good 30 days of break-in for the cables and preamp. yet and I am shocked how it good it is already with more to come.
Gwalt