I love using these forums to discover new music that people recommend. Listened to The Wood Brothers-Way Not to Lose. Time to Stand Still really stood out to me on the first listen. Cool album with a couple of gems on it. Goes from a more narrow sound stage on some singer centered tracks to very expansive on others. Enjoyed it 👍
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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Learned something new today, SET mode on the amp certainly has enough power to fill the room more than adequately! Going to listen in SET for a week before going back. Definitely less bass punch. Trying to listen to the midrange/vocals more closely. I do like that the amp meters are lower, which I’m assuming means it’s working less hard and will heat up less=nice advantage. I figure after a week or so, when I switch back, other pros and cons will become more apparent. Good times!😀 |
@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. |
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? |
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