Learned something new today, SET mode on the amp certainly has enough power to fill the room more than adequately! Going to listen in SET for a week before going back. Definitely less bass punch. Trying to listen to the midrange/vocals more closely. I do like that the amp meters are lower, which I’m assuming means it’s working less hard and will heat up less=nice advantage. I figure after a week or so, when I switch back, other pros and cons will become more apparent. Good times!😀
Aric Audio Custom 300b PSET
Hey guys. I just wanted to share my initial impressions regarding Aric Audio Custom 300b PSET I just plugged in. Posting here because of the numerous discussions regarding Aric’s equipment I read that convinced me to take a chance on a small company’s, handmade amp.
I’m coming from 25 years of solid state and very recently a Synthesis el34 50 watt push pull amp. The Synthesis sounds great and I didn’t buy the new amp because I was displeased in any way. I’d purchased it while waiting for some Decware gear, which after 7 months couldn’t do anymore. I wanted a handmade, point to point amp, so I researched around and came across Aric Audio here. Gave him a call, discussed what I was looking for and Aric gave his recommendations. I was a bit nervous when he suggested the 300b. I’d never heard them before and those tubes are pricey! Many good reviews later, I decided, F*ck it! I’m in. Placed the order and added some upgrades.
After 4 or 5 weeks, got the call and picked up the amp. It sat for a day and I plugged it in today. I stream through a Cambridge cxn v2 and Topping d90le dac. Speakers are Audio Note-e/lx, AN Lexus speaker wire, Black Dragon interconnect and xlr’s.
Listening was really surprising. I’m amazed how different the sound is from the Synthesis with el34’s. The sound is much more powerful. You feel it more. The vocals are a bit more forward. Staging is far better. Probably the weirdest is the blackness. Just so quite and yet I hear so much more. Texture to instruments, if that’s a proper way to explain it. I’m new to this world so proper words escape me. Fullness, sharp instrument strikes and naturalness come to mind. The clarity of the music is striking. I almost feel like I’m hearing things I shouldn’t in the music, like feet tapping and inhalations for example. Very cool. 😀
I look forward to hearing how the amp improves. I do hope the cymbals settle just a bit. They don’t glare and aren’t bright, just very clear and more prominent compared to previous amp/tubes. I’m sure my brain and ears need an adjustment period as well. Each equipment change I do freaks me out! I look forward to sharing developments and hope to hear your comments.
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I love using these forums to discover new music that people recommend. Listened to The Wood Brothers-Way Not to Lose. Time to Stand Still really stood out to me on the first listen. Cool album with a couple of gems on it. Goes from a more narrow sound stage on some singer centered tracks to very expansive on others. Enjoyed it 👍 |
Some nice cuts and taste in music there! I'm usually all over the place, but have been on a Woods Brothers kick for the last couple of days. Next day it might be Indie/Alt or maybe some classis Metal I used to listen to in the 80's. I hope you continue to enjoy the amp and have a great Thanksgiving! |
I didn’t know it existed either and see that there is another album from a few years ago. I’ve decided to go through some of my favorites from their first album to their last. Yesterday I did the Beatles Please Please Me and Rush Rush. The remastered Beatles sounded so good through the new amp. Was really impressed. The Stones and Robert Johnson tonight! Everyone have an enjoyable and safe holiday. |
@earthbound I've got to agree! I wasn't aware this album existed until now- so I decided to take a listen. I think I nodded off a few times and so I skipped a few tracks and the same thing happened! Lol. Best, Aric |
I don’t own his 300B. I do own Eric Audio phono preamp, Eric’s Special Line Preamplifier and Eric’s Transcend push-pull Amp. I sit for hours and listen to LPs. I’ve had it like this for a year with the amplifier but I bought the other pieces earlier. I had a friend over who wanted to listen to Pink Floyd, loud. He’s Never heard anything like my system before. He’s sitting all with his jaw hanging open every time he comes over. I’ve never played it that loudly before (Zu Soul Supreme) but I was getting 100db before I turned it down. To his chagrin. It was just on the edge of getting distortion. It’s amazing isn’t it! bent |
Thanks guys. I will pay attention to the drummers for sure. Thanks for the tube options sns. Need to order some during the Thanksgiving break for sure. I’d kind of settled on the WE’s, but see there are quite a few nice options out there. The Gold Lions in there now are my only reference. They do sound great. |
Congrats on amps. In researching 300B amps over the years, I consider Aric in top tier.
Yes, 300B amps properly executed are one of best for tonality, harmonic development, no rolled off highs, one note bass. I"m also fan of point to point wiring, both my 845 and 300B amps, linestage and phono pre all point to point. Minimal parts count and point to point construction provide for sound qualities I prefer over other designs. Allied to sympathetic loudspeakers, the level of transparency, resolution and immediacy can make it seem as if performers are in room,
I agree with above posts in recommending top tier 300B tubes, WE, Takatsuki, Elrod, EML, Psvane Acme, Linlai Elite will all extract max potential from 300B amps. |
Congratulations. You're only here once, and if one has the means, then it's deserved. Enjoy it. No doubt you're hearing into those Jazz recordings the way they should be heard. "Even cleaned up some rough Nina Simone recordings I have that were unlistenable at decent volume before." No doubt vocals must sound great. Happy listening. |
Understood ! I am a huge Thelonious Monk fan. Which recording are you listening to? You mentioned drumming. Listen to Frankie Dunlop’s drumming on “Monks Dream” . He’s so in the groove with Monk and Charlie Rouse. Your 300b amplifier will really uncover these types of musical nuances and connect you. Charles |
What I’m finding so fascinating so far is the accuracy, I think is the correct term. To hear the multiple dimensions of a cymbal strike. Not just a monotone treble sound. To hear the differences in each of the drum strikes based on where it’s struck, guessing that’s what I’m hearing. Very enjoyable. Even cleaned up some rough Nina Simone recordings I have that were unlistenable at decent volume before. Fun rediscovering music again after all these years. Thelonius is on now! |
Thanks for the reply Aric. I hope your enjoying the White Mountains. I’m sure it will. Like I said earlier, it’s only on some really drum bashing recordings. The amp sounds so good. It has taken my music appreciation to a level I never knew existed. I’m starting to understand the adjectives audiophiles have been referring to! Thanks for the excellent communication, patience and amp Aric. Greatly appreciated. |
@earthbound Posting from the white mountains before breakfast! Hey, thanks for posting about the amp and I'm glad you're enjoying it! Regarding the highs, I would suggest giving the amp about 200 hours to fully flesh out as there will be significant breaking occuring during that time. I think you'll find it settles quite a bit during that time, and of course tube rolling will make a very substantial difference in the sonics! Thanks again for having me build you the amp! Cheers, Aric |
I hope so! I remember the same thing occurring when I got my first tube amp. I listen very critically at the start. It’s not even that it’s a criticism, it’s just very clear and noticeable high end. I think you’re right, the Synthesis was just lacking there and now I have it. This weekend it will be on all day so I should get a good bit of regular listening in. 👍 |
Your review of Aric sounds a lot like how I describe my Decware. You lasted 7 months longer than I would have on the waitlist. I'm not good at waiting. Bought mine on the secondary market. I'd love to hear your amp. Great review. Very glad you are enjoying it so much. I'd say likely the highs with this amp are accurate and perhaps your old amp was lacking and your ears/brain will quickly get used to it. Jerry |
I have owned my 300b SET mono blocks for over 13 years. I can say that with all sincerity I appreciate them more than ever. There are multitudes of good choices with regard to tube amplifiers. 300b is certainly one of the top options in my opinion. The only drawback with them is the premium tier choices are expensive. I believe it is impossible to declare one brand/model the best tube. There’s simply too many variables involved. Some are going to sound better in certain specific amplifiers for a host of different reasons. I’ve owned Elrog, Takatsuki and currently using EML XLS. I can without hesitation, recommend any of these three easily. I have used previous generation Western Electric but not the current production 300b . By all accounts it is superb. I have no reason at all to doubt that assessment. I strongly advocate the expenditure for the high quality/upper tier 300b tubes for those who have good quality amplifiers. This certainly includes you and your situation. Owning a PSET of course means you’ll need 2 pairs, for sure not cheap! Worth it? Yes. You will be rewarded with excellent sound quality/performance and extracting the best from your amplifier. Another positive factor is these high level tubes tend to have long life spans. If you ultimately decide to choose the Western Electric 300b terrific! I do not believe you will have any regrets in hindsight. Aric built you a wonderful custom PSET 300b amplifier. Enjoy it to the fullest extent. Charles |
Congrats on your amp. I have an Aric Audio Super 300B SET which has been a revelation. It has been a little easier to do some tube rolling since there are only two 300B tubes. In increasing order of preference are JJ 300Bs tied with TJ Full Music Mesh, EML XLS, Kron Balloon, and in first place the WE 300Bs. The tubes make a big difference that you can clearly hear with the Aric. There is no brightness that I hear in the amp although the tubes all handle highs and lows slightly differently. My tastes emphasize dynamics, bass, soundstage, and a dense rich tonality. |
@earthbound Congrats on your new amp and glad you're enjoying it so much. And Charles asks a very pertinent question besides the output transformers the 300B's really influence the sound. And tube rolling is a very easy way to upgrade your amp. |
Aric put 4 Gold Lions, 2 Sylvania 6v6gt’s and 2 Hytron 6sn7gt’s in the amp. I asked Aric to suggest some upgrades and we decided on the Jensen Balncing transformers, Clarity cap power supply capacitor, Milflex Copper foil paper in oil and Takman carbon resistors and some other cool things! |
Congratulations! Aric has built you a very fine 300b amplifier. It’s gratifying to read that you are so pleased with it. From your listening impressions I bet Aric chose some high quality parts, particularly output transformers. This level of an amplifier will keep you happy for many years. What 300b tubes are you using? |