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Aric Audio 300B SET Monoblocks

I’ve been fortunate to have had three previous builds by Aric but nothing has approached his latest creation. After owning Arics Transcend amp and two versions of 300B stereo amps from him I decided to go all out and have Aric build the best possible 300B SET he could. Here’s what we came up with. 

300B SET monoblocks with two external, tube regulated power supplies. Hashimoto output and power transformers, Duelund coupling caps, C3M driver tubes, silver internal wiring, WBT Nextgen binding posts and RCA jacks, Furutech NCF IEC inlets, curly maple and walnut chassis lined in copper....and much more that I’m forgetting, I’m sure.

The result is spectacular and as good as the previous 300B SET’s were, this latest build is in another league all together. The power these amps provide belies their 8 watt output. Their bass output is deep, controlled and impactful. Their speed and transparency totally blow me away. Of course they display the purity of tone and 3-D qualities that SET’s are known for......in spades. The soundstage is huge. To me it combines the best qualities of solid state with the best of tubes. In other words, I love them!

While they sound more like 80 watts than 8 to me, efficient and easy to drive speakers go a long in realizing this. 

Aric has obtained new levels of excellence with this amp. It also will come at a price, as it should. I don’t know what the retail price might be as I started with his standard 300B SET and upgraded twice to get to these but I can’t imagine they could sell for less than $10k and are probably over that. Hopefully Aric could chime in with general price information and fill in all of the missing blanks I left empty. 

Just wanted to share my experience and excitement about these wonderful amps.
mac48025
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Tom,
Congratulations  on acquiring the custom built 4 chassis SET mono blocks. I'm glad to read that you're so happy with them. I have no doubts that these are outstanding in their sound quality.  An all out design/effort from Aric Audio . Terrific upgrade choices/decisions by you.and Aric.
Charles 
jond's avatar
jond
6,050 posts
 
Tom they sound like amazing amps and I am sure they sound fantastic. And congrats to Aric on a great build with premium parts! I am sure they sound amazing and you will enjoy them for many years to come.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@mac48025  Tom, congratulations on your very special custom build 300B 4-chassis SET amplifier.

It's wonderful learning more about the efforts that Aric of @aricaudio went to, to satisfy your commission, and the sublime results being delivered!

What a 'bargain' given Aric's pricing!!!

And they look terrific in the wood trim you chose.
mac48025's avatar
mac48025 OP
672 posts
 
Thanks teajay, it was your review of the Transcend Amp that steered me toward Aric in the first place....so I have you to thank for that.

Thanks Charles, I look forward to having you over to hear Arics’ creation. 

These SE’s are my “forever” amps, jond. I can’t imagine what I’d have to spend to get appreciable better sound. More than I can afford, that’s for sure! 

Thanks David, you just reminded me that I need to update my Virtual System page here with new pics of these babies. 

My only complaint right now is that I don’t have the time right now that I’d like to listen to these amps. They have less than 40 hours on them and are getting better every day. 


aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
278 posts
 
Thanks for the kudos on the amps all- it was definitely a long-term collaboration between Tom and I, and as much as I anticipated positive results- what we received, are more than stellar! @mac48025 - Either the C3M or the EL84 driver (which is very much built like the C3M as they are both Pentodes) are my new drivers of choice for the 300B. In top flight builds I will be using the C3M. In more "cost-effective" builds I will go to the EL84. My own personal 300B SET's are getting the mod to the C3M as soon as my tubes arrive from Italy! 
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