Decware Sarah 300B Amp?


Fellow Audio Fanatics - 

 

For the record, I’m set with my current two systems. I’ve got one push-pull tube system in my living room and a class a solid state system in my office. They’ve taken a few years to build. Overall, I’m happy and plan to live with them for a long time… 

 

That said, a long time doesn’t mean “forever.”

 

Which brings me to the Decware Sarah 300B amp I’ve been reading about and listening to audio snippets on. As I’ve made my way through this audio journey, I’m sensing my end-state might be moving towards the direction of an amp like the Decware 300B. From what I gather, it seems to deliver a lush and immersive presentation that feels like it could easily replace my solid state system and give me more enjoyment as I paddle towards retirement. 
 

Has anyone heard this amp? Or provide a point of view on Decware amps in general? 
 

I’m thinking of putting myself on the list, forgetting about it for the three+ years it will take to get one, and purchasing it when it’s available in 2027 (I can’t believe we are so far into this century already). Of course I’d need to get a different pair of speakers, which isn’t that of big deal to me financially. I’d probably sell off my current office system and bring in the Decware 300B and perhaps some Zu speakers. 
 

I welcome your feedback and impressions on Decware! 
 

For reference, my systems are below: 

Main - in the living room 

  • Innuos Zenith 
  • Merason Dac1 
  • Linear Tube Audio Microzotl preamp 
  • Switch between Audio Hungary P200 tube amp with KT150 tubes 
  • And Conrad Johnson classic 120 with EL34 tubes 
  • Puritan 156 
  • Cables: mix of Cardas Clear, LessLoss, Kimber Kable Palladian PK10 / Speaker Cables - Cardas 
  • Speakers: QLN Prestige 3 / Dynaudio Heritage Specials

 

Office - smaller room 

  • Luxman 590axii 
  • Buchardt S400 mkii 
  • Goldnote Streamer 
  • Lessloss cables 

 

128x128bluethinker

Kit1 Kit1-10 300B Integrated Amplifier – ANK Audio Kits

I owned the Anniversary edition with the C core transformers, and it was not only great sound, but absolutely dependable and great bass! I regret selling it. For an extra 10%, they will build it for you, and they do that meticulously. You can also specify caps etc.

@bluethinker 

i too have the Dynaudio HS and am contemplating getting the QLN Prestige 5’s. I know you said the Prestige 3’s are in your system, but in the same room on your gear how would you compare the two? I got a lot of great suggestions on the forum regarding a new floorstanding speaker in the $10-20k range and was able to listen to many at AXPONA and I’m down to QLN and Joseph Audio. I need to put my system in my profile, but I run a Rega P10, Hana Umami Red, Modwright reference tube phono, and an Octave AB tube integrated with x2 KT150s per channel! 
Thanks!

-Nick

 

Hi Everyone - I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I’ll respond over the next few days to many of the posts, as I have some follow up questions. It’s clear this is a knowledgeable group I can learn from. 

For the moment, @njkrebs - wanted to address your question about the QLN prestige three speakers vs Dynaudio Heritage Specials. Let me start by saying I love the Dynaudio Special Heritage Speakers. When driven by a higher watt amp, they’re just dynamic and incredibly musical. The place I purchased them with let me buy them with a Luxman 590axii speaker, which just isn’t powerful enough to make those speakers sing. When I paired them with my Conrad Johnson Classic 120 (purchased much later), they came alive. 
 

The area where I feel the Dynaudio Specials excel is on the higher frequencies. Those tweeters are spectacular! At the same time, they do have a healthy amount of base too, when the music calls for it. I don’t think I’ll ever sell them. They’ll come into rotation every few months, for sure. 
 

How do they compare to the QLNs? 
 

I prefer the QLNs. Compared to the Dynaudio Heritage Specials, I think they are more balanced throughout the frequency range. And they just disappear in the room. Music just fills the room and you forget the speakers. I guess the audiophile term might be soundstage?  The music is just wonderfully expansive, wide and high. 

 

The other thing about the QLNs - they are somewhat relaxed sounding. There is nothing forward about them. If you enjoy having music in your home that fosters a relaxed and immersive quality, I don’t think you can purchase a better speaker brand. I love my QLN Prestige Three speakers. My wife also loves them and prefers them to the Dynaudios (which she also loves!). 

 

The Prestige Five must be incredible, btw. 
 

 

 

The Decware list is more like 4.7 years now.  It averages ~10 a week. 2461 on the list.  I got on the list in mid Feb '22 near the bottom of page 7 (200/pg).  Hope to get my amp in August or September this year.  I've had plenty of time to watch the list move 😉