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

Many of you who own some of Aric's preamps/amplifiers already know what a talented designer and master builder he is of great tube gear.  I'll be getting in a few days his first two chassis reference 211 based SET amplifier for a review for Six Moons.com.  He went all out in both design and parts quality in this new creation.  Based on my past experiences with his gear, this is something that might be very special, indeed.  My two favorite power tubes in SET amps are 2A3's and 211's. You can also use 845's in this amplifier.  
teajay
aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
273 posts
 
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!
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teajay OP
1,691 posts
 
I have just spent five hours listening to Aric's ultimate SET dual chassis 211 amplifier and have to say that I have found it mesmerizing experience. 

It delivered maybe the best taut, deep, tuneful bass that I have heard from a tube based amplifier.  It's overall macro-dynamics and punch could fool into thinking it was a much more powerful P/P design.  Yet, the 211 in a SET circuit gives you the timbre beauty and "inside glow" like a 2A3 tube but with even a bigger more accurate sound-stage, "meat on the bones" imaging, and a sweet/sparkly top end.  You can also use 845 tubes, which I'll try later.  

If you are a lover of SET amplifiers, you might want to consider auditioning this new super amplifier from Aric's stable of amplifiers.  This will be a fun review for me to write, indeed.
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