@earthbound Hope you enjoyed some good grub! You got it- in SET vs PSET mode there is half the current passing through the output transformers producing 9 watts per channel instead of 18, so the amp will definitely run cooler! Also, I'm not sure if you did, but I would move the speaker connections to the 4 ohm taps when running in SET mode as the impedance ratio is changed with only one power tube per channel. I find this mode very useful if a premium (expensive) pair of power tubes are used and you don't want to purchase a quad (yet). For most music, SET is all I need with my speakers, but if you really want to drive some current to your speakers, then PSET allows the amp to punch above it's power/weight.
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 am certainly in the market for tubes. It is quite a relief that I really don’t feel the need for 4. When I want to rock out, I will use the 4 Gold Lions. When I want sane listening levels, where I sit in front, then the “better” tubes will be used. Having read so many reviews, it will be the WE’s or Tataksuki’s. Aric do you have any suggestions for the other tubes? I want a spare pair anyway. Is there an upgrade to the 6v6 and 6sn7 tubes you like or stick with what I have? |
@earthbound For the other tubes, I really like the Sylvania 6V6GT black plate / smoked glass that are in there now, I find them to be completely grain-less and overall nicely detailed and neutral. I’ve tried using some RCA and GE grey and black plates and thought they sounded a bit coarse in the midrange. Another extremely high quality 6V6GT equivalent that several customers have reported they loved, are the Bendix 5992s- supposedly the holy grail of 6V6s! I've not listened to these myself though. For the input gain stage, the 6SN7s included are Hytron black plates, which are a nicely balanced, non-offensive tube. There are better out there however, they are nice. I really like the Sylvania "Bad Boy" 6SN7GTs with either 2 or 3 hole plates. They are extremely detailed and neutral without exhibiting any harshness and are probably my favorites in the amp. Another great sounding tube are the Linlai Elite 6SN7s. They’re new production, and I’ve purchased 6 pairs of them with excellent consistency and reliability across the board. Probably a bit less detailed than the Bad Boys, but very nuanced and add a nice subtle "flavor" to the mix. For 300Bs, I’ve used Emission Labs 300BXLS with excellent results, and excellent reliability plus they come with a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer. I hope this helps! Aric |
You absolutely made the right choice. There is a difference between a no compromise custom build and a boiler plate mass produced design. If i am paying $$$ for a custom amp I want the principle owner / designer to build it. That amp will give you many hours of enjoyment every night you sit in front of it it. Plus it's eye candy too so it'll make you smile even when it's off because your buddies don't own anything like it .
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