I just got a used Kt 88se amp of Aric’s to go along with my Motherload 2 preamp.
Wow! This amp has a sound I would describe as exquisite. Just a beautiful sound!
I did comparisons with my First Watt F3, Pass XA25, VRD kt88, and Aric’s. For me, I’m enjoying Aric’s the most. I’m only using it above 500hz in a bi amped, so I can comment on bass, but the mids and highs are amazing! I’m turning the treble up because it is so smooth. The mids are so bouncy and Juicy.
Now I’m having strong urges for Aric’s 300b! Ted |
Aric definitely builds wonderful gear. |
Hey rocray,
I used the AricAudio Motherlode MK-II, SPL Elector, and Coda 07x, all with wonderful results. My favorite was teaming the Super 300B SET with the Motherlode MK-II with NOS 6SN7 TungSol 1940's black glass oval plates, just a beautiful pairing in my system.
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I like when manufacturers follow these threads and don't "push " their products... instead they answer on topic, in layman's terms. I've heard nothing but good things about Aric Audio. Good to see local builders , Massachusetts was once the hub of audio back in the day. So many audio companies have roots in Boston, more than probably any other place in the world. |
Hi Terry,
What preamp did you incorporate for the review? |
Just submitted my review for Stereo Times. I entitled it, "A Combo of Sonic Delights" because of the final conclusions I came to regarding the performance of Aric's Super 300B SET amplifier and Western Electric 300B tubes.
I have had in my systems four highly regarded 300B SET amplifiers, ranging in price from $3000 to over $25000, and can honestly state that the Super SET amplifier is the best I have ever had in-house. I also tested four other very respected 300B tubes, and compared to the Western Electric 300B's they were completely outclassed in their performance. Hence, the title of, "A Combo of Sonic Delights".
For all the details please take a look at the review. I hope it will go up in the next couple of weeks. Congrats to both AricAudio and Western Electric for their great products. By the way neither of these are leaving my house, I bought the combo!
Terry London
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Thanks for the insight Aric. Always good to get design decision from the builder himself. |
Thank you for the kind words! All the best, Aric |
Thank you @aricaudio for your prompt response. This goes without saying, his expertise in designing the amp & preamps backed by stellar customer service is among the best in the industry. |
Customer service and attention at its finest...good on you, Aric! |
@khragon, Lalit's amplifier was built before my current 6SN7/6V6 front-end amplifier was designed. We originally built with a C3M driver stage which we found to be somewhat unreliable/finnicky, so I changed the circuit over to use a triode-strapped EL84. It requires a healthy preamp to drive the amplifier to full output. With the 6SN7/6V6 front-end, the amp can be driven directly from a DAC or streamer with a built in volume control. The interstage transformers in the current version allow the 300B to be driven more cleanly and subsequently the amplifier delivers a bit more power with this setup, I hope this helps!
Best regards, Aric |
I think that was your amp in USAM right? What’s the reason for EL84 vs Eric other amps which uses 6sn7 and 6v6 tubes to drive the 300B? |
I’ve got one of Aric’s Super 300B amp that I’m willing to part with (I have since switched to SS Integrated). Aric did a fabulous job of building this custom 300B amp that consist of two mono’s chassis and a separate power supply. PM me if anyone is interested! |
Can't wait to read the review. I'm a big fan of Aric's equipment and run two systems of his gear including the Dynalto and Animus Loudspeakers. I'd like to echo Teajay's first paragraph -- I couldn't have said it better myself. |
I also am really looking forward to reading this. Both are topics I'm very curious about.
In particular I'll be curious to see what you have to say about how the current production WE 300Bs compare to their historic production counterparts and the rest of the current crop of new production tubes. Don't know how wide you'll go in your comparisons but I'm particularly curious about how they compare to the lowly JJ production tubes. |
Aric is definitely da man! Really dig his stuff…
Oz
+1
I'm currently running three of his preamps in various systems.
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@amorstereo contact Tammy at support@audiogon.com and she can help you access your original account if you would prefer to use it. |
Aric is definitely da man! Really dig his stuff…
Oz |
I envy you. Except for the writing part. Never been a big fan of deadlines.
Playing with cool gear, yes.
Writing, no.
I’ve been looking at this amp and can’t wait to read the review. Kind of annoyed that the longer I wait to finally make a decision and order something from Aric, the busier he’s going to get. |
Thanks Terry. I was wondering. |
Hey Roxy54,
Some type of virus totally screwed-up my ability to use my AudioGon name that I used for years. Therefore, I created a new name/account to be able to post. |
Keenly awaiting the review. Thanks for the head's up! |
Terry,
I’ll be excited to read that review. Why did you change your screen name? |
Your first impressions do not surprise me at all. Aric builds stellar gear. |
Thanks. When reviewing, could you comment on the build quality? I have seen photos of the inside of some units and they appear to use self adhesive zip tie mounts instead of bolted on terminal strips.
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