Toolshed Amps 300b Stereo Amp

Great looking amp! Enjoy those 300B's - I've got an Eddie Current Studio B headphone amp with WE 300B tubes, and my Susvara headphones are aural crack through that setup. So easy to listen for hours and hours.....

Thank you larsman ! Several times I have thought to myself “amazing clarity”. I actually bought a second pair because I was afraid they might change the recipe or they would become unobtainium

@oddiofyl 

I am gaining awareness about the Lab 12 DAC Reference  made in Greece. Seems to be very well received. How did you happen to come across it?

Charles 

I read about it somewhere and learned that Fidelis in Nashua NH was the distributor.  I had a few days off at the beginning of June and gave them a call.   I asked if they took different category trades and they said sure come on up.   So I packed up my CJ Classic preamp that I was no longer using and took a ride up. 

I listened to it in a LAB 12 system driving Fyne speakers .   They offered me a generous trade that almost paid for half so it was a no brainer

It is built like a tank compared to a lot of stuff at this price or even above.   It sounds fantastic in this system.   

Ever been at that point in time where your system sounds so good that you are afraid to make any changes?    This is where I am at right now.   That DAC was a solid purchase.   It is very engaging and you want to just keep listening.Which is what I'm still doing at 1215 on a work night 

Ever been at that point in time where your system sounds so good that you are afraid to make any changes? This is where I am at right now. That DAC was a solid purchase. It is very engaging and you want to just keep listening.Which is what I’m still doing at 1215 on a work night

Yes, I completely understand . This is why I’ve had the same preamplifier, amplifier and speakers unchanged since 2009. Genuinely happy and satisfied with them. Same situation with my DAC (Bought new in 2010) it just presents music beautifully.

I’ve heard a number of other DACs in the interim. None compelling enough to make a change for. The Lab 12 DAC Reference is intriguing and seems like the real deal. I appreciate your feedback/impressions.

Charles

Synergy has a lot to do with good sound,  the Zesto / Toolshed  pairing is such a great match.    When I got the Zesto , it revealed how good those Quicksilvers are. 

As great as those Mid Monos have been,, the Toolshed 300b is in a completely different league.   It is amazing in it's ability to render a three dimensional image .   I have spent about 5 or 6 hours a night since Sunday playing song after song .   Some that I'm very familiar with, some are completely new to me .   

My mental notes while listening have been ;  amazing clarity , huge image extending way beyond the speakers.  They disappear.    Clarity , accuracy,  realism, lifelike,  are all things that i keep saying in my head.   

Little sounds like tapping the top of a guitar,   the inhale / exhale as a singer projects,  the ambiance of the venue are all revealed with this amp.  

Bass is solid and incredibly tight,  and deep.  I keep thinking this is only 7 watts?   Most surprising are the lower registers of a piano.   

There is a connection to the music that is so engaging that I am completely not thinking about the hardware,  I am thinking about what song I am going to play next.   

I can say without reservation that this amp was worth the wait and worth the money.    

Wonder how it compares to the Western Electric amp. That thing is gorgeous as it should be for about 2X the money.  Dont think I could live with the looks of the toolshed unfortunately.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure.

This thread is about the Toolshed 300b.  Not vapor ware....Has anyone even seen the WE91e in person ?   Anyone here own one ?  Please chime in if you do. They have been promising this amp for a long time and it's still "coming soon"   Either way, it's way out of my price range.  It's more than 2x the price , so if you buy one let us know how it is.... beauty IS in the eye of the beer holder ....that thing is ugly in my eyes.

This amp sounds sublime.... So it's looks are a little polarizing, that's ok, the fit and finish is excellent,  this is execution on a high level.   I love it , pics do not do it justice .  

As far as the WE amp I think that's a little weird looking myself.   Should have had a more retro industrial look and analog meters .  

I'll take a simple point to point wiring design and analog volume  over a PCB and volume encoder any day.   The WE Monos look cool,  the 91e ?  fugly.

Three year warranty on WE amp,  and 5 years on tubes is a joke right?   Toolshed amps have a lifetime warranty , although I doubt I will ever have to exercise it.  

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”

True, and always will be the case. The W.E. amplifier is certainly a very different aesthetic (I don’t like the front panel big screen, but that’s just me 😊) I don’t find that it is more attractive than the Toolshed 300b SET amplifier appearance. Horses for courses folks.

The WE is an integrated,  the Toolshed is a power amp....sure, it has volume trim and 2 inputs so it can be either....  I think it is best served with a great preamp driving it though

I am enjoying  this amp so much I am having Matt build me a DHT Line Stage.    

Wow! 
Which DHT tube will be utilized? My Line stage uses the 101D DHT and it is superb. Needless to say I am very curious as to how you will find it compared with your Zesto Leto Line stage. I love my DHT Line stage and 300b SET pairing.

Charles

Hi Charles , 

it will use a 101d and a 84 rectifier.  It will use an encoder / relay volume with LED display. and remote

I was talking to Matt earlier this year about a preamp project he was working on….  This is the one.   

@oddiofyl 

Given Matt’s experience and talent, I believe that this is going to be a very exceptional DHT Line stage for you. The Leto will face a major challenge.😊

Charles 

Yes, it should be awesome.     The Amp is beautiful sounding.  It should be a great match .   The Preamp will have 3 inputs and two parallel outputs to bi-amp or drive a sub which I will do.