So I have had a week of experience with the latest chassis Sophia 845 monoblocks. They are beautiful to look at and seem well built at 50+lbs each.
Impressed thus far. Big, big sound and probably the most dynamic tube amp I've had in my system (please scroll up to find a long list of them). Have not tube-rolled as of yet, but that will be coming once broken in. Historically, I have not liked the B tube that so many recommend (sounds closed-in to me). The amps are lively and extended- and not the warmest out there. Compared to the Audions, I'd say the Audions have probably a bit more tone, but less drive/dynamics. Noise on the amps is very low for SET and I feel will be even better once burned-in/optimized.
The amps are the only ones I've heard that do strings as well as Shindo--which says something. SET spooky midrange of course is there. Only negative thus far is a bit of midrange glare, which I believe is Chinese tube related. Have a pair of RCA NOS 6ns7s that I will drop in soon.
Bass is quite good, but not Mac 601 SS depth. This is to be expected.
Impressed thus far. Big, big sound and probably the most dynamic tube amp I've had in my system (please scroll up to find a long list of them). Have not tube-rolled as of yet, but that will be coming once broken in. Historically, I have not liked the B tube that so many recommend (sounds closed-in to me). The amps are lively and extended- and not the warmest out there. Compared to the Audions, I'd say the Audions have probably a bit more tone, but less drive/dynamics. Noise on the amps is very low for SET and I feel will be even better once burned-in/optimized.
The amps are the only ones I've heard that do strings as well as Shindo--which says something. SET spooky midrange of course is there. Only negative thus far is a bit of midrange glare, which I believe is Chinese tube related. Have a pair of RCA NOS 6ns7s that I will drop in soon.
Bass is quite good, but not Mac 601 SS depth. This is to be expected.