Head-ups for fans of AricAudio designs. His new Super 211 SET two chassis amplifier

Thanks for the intro on the amp TJ! I can share a bit about it for those that have an interest. This amp is a single-chassis design in custom-wooden enclosure with copper internal shielding and features a matching outboard power supply. There are dual power transformers for the input and driver stages, as well as the output stage (the 211 or 845). The amplifier employs 6SN7’s in an SRPP stack as the voltage amplifier into a pair of EL34’s running in triode-strapped mode which offer exceptional linearity. This "amplifier" then feeds a pair of 211 or 845 tubes (the amplifier is switchable) for exceptional bandwidth, transparency and power delivery. Both the amplifier and power supply are 100% point to point wired and use premium internal components (Audyn True Copper coupling capacitors, an all film capacitor power supply, Schottky diodes, etc.). It presents what I feel is the best performance from these tubes. Power output with the 211 is conservatively rated at 25 watts per channel and with the 845 is rated at 35 watts per channel (with modest "soft-clipping" exceeding 40 watts). 4,8 and 16 ohm speakers can be used with the 211, and 2, 4, and 8 ohm speakers can be used with the 845!

@grannyring - Under a wave of construction at the new location and also prepping to get married next month has invaded on some of my website updates :-) I do have lots of photos of both the outside and internals I would gladly share, it seems A'gon still has not provided the function to attach photos on these threads? Aric

@facten - from above: "Power output with the 211 is conservatively rated at 25 watts per channel and with the 845 is rated at 35 watts per channel (with modest "soft-clipping" exceeding 40 watts)"

If anyone would like me to e-mail them some picture and more details of the "Super 211 SET" amplifier, please feel free to message me using the "Contact Us" at my website www.aricaudio.com and I will share anything I have :-)

Best wishes, Aric

@jtcf -Thank you for the congrats and @rocray, thank you as well!

"Why do they use SRPP input stage and EL34 driver?" This is simple. Out of all of the other stages I experimented with- these simply provided the best drive, lowest output impedance, and best blend to the 211 power tube. The SRPP can drive the EL34 (in Triode mode- which is much different than Pentode, or UL mode as the drive requirements go up). The EL34 in Triode mode can provide the necessary swing (200V P-P) to drive the grid of the 211, and the low output impedance overcomes Miller Factor (capacitance at the grid of the next stage). It also has excellent linearity in Triode mode! This overcomes slewing, lack of headroom- and most importantly- the driver stage running out of steam before the power tube is in A1. This results in headroom, full frequency response and maximum power output. I hope this helps! Aric

Hey Alex- no problem! Two things with DHT’s that are harder to overcome than with Pentodes are C Miller and also grid current. Most of these tubes aren’t linear unless you can drive the grid positive with a high voltage swing. Otherwise the top and low end suffers and is what most people think when they refer to a 300B (or other DHT) as "woolly in the bass", or "lacks high end sparkle but the midrange sounds great!". That’s where C Miller has its effect is on the frequency extremes. A 6SN7 cannot drive the 300B’s grid into A1 unless it’s in SRPP mode or is direct-coupled. It can still sound good but you’re not hearing the 300B’s full potential. On the KT88, I assume the 6SN7 stages were cascaded? In that case, I can imaging how two coupling caps and two stages could bring too much of a harmonic structure to the sound and become dull and lifeless. However if two stages of 6SN7 were configured in Mu Follower, Cathode Follower, or SRPP you could benefit from the lower output impedance to "swing" the grid of the KT88 better and avoid the overly complex harmonic signature. Best, Aric

@sptwriter- The unit has not been added to the site as of yet. TJ just received the first unit and it will be added to the site before the review is complete ;-)

Basic specs and photos can be seen on my Facebook business page below: https://www.facebook.com/AricAudioSystems/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARCBAs7lqe5YF8y9-0pMrSdTLUoOC2Q9EgdrI...

Thank you @david_ten for the kind words! I also second your motion on adding some more variety to the musical styles in the review ;-) @teajay - Thank you for posting such a great review! Below is the link to the same: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aric/

@xenophon thanks very much for the kind words! I really appreciate it, as the chassis was a labor of love, but still a labor none-the-less ;-) @jtcf  thank you as well!