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. 

earthbound

Thankfully yes! Was quite the leap of faith. It’s weird how I was programmed to think of the big companies being the only ones to produce quality hifi. It really added to the purchase speaking to Aric and knowing I’m directly contributing to his company. Similar to Decware in that regard. People with a sense of pride in their product. NoT That those big companies didn’t start out that way but it’s a price they pay for growth I suppose. 

The day has come! The new WE 300b tubes arrived and have been installed. Obviously, too early to tell anything yet. The one thing that does stand out in the first 10 minutes is that they don’t seem rough. The Gold Lions definitely take a few minutes to get going and smooth out. The WE’s are smooth right out of the gate. 
Aric if you read this. The right channel meter is 1 line higher. I would not think this is of any concern but I’m new and worry about everything!

I would try swapping the WE's left to right and then powering the amplifier back on to see if now the other meter is one line higher. If the same meter stays higher, then you can use a small flathead screwdriver to adjust the small set screw at the bottom center of the meter. They're only measuring cathode current, more or less to give an indication of a bad tube and whether the amplifier is in PSET or SET mode, but it's not abnormal for there to be a small variance. Alternatively, if the slightly higher meter follows the tube, then it's likely that they simply need to settle in for a bit. 

Cheers! Aric