I’m a Decware fan boy. But, waiting that long for any of their equipment is just too much. I wanted a 300b and ordered a custom made from Min Yang at Tube Audio Labs. He allowed me to specify transformers, caps and even silver wiring. It really is a very well built unit but is more expensive than Decware.
Decware Sarah 300B Amp?
Fellow Audio Fanatics -
For the record, I’m set with my current two systems. I’ve got one push-pull tube system in my living room and a class a solid state system in my office. They’ve taken a few years to build. Overall, I’m happy and plan to live with them for a long time…
That said, a long time doesn’t mean “forever.”
Which brings me to the Decware Sarah 300B amp I’ve been reading about and listening to audio snippets on. As I’ve made my way through this audio journey, I’m sensing my end-state might be moving towards the direction of an amp like the Decware 300B. From what I gather, it seems to deliver a lush and immersive presentation that feels like it could easily replace my solid state system and give me more enjoyment as I paddle towards retirement.
Has anyone heard this amp? Or provide a point of view on Decware amps in general?
I’m thinking of putting myself on the list, forgetting about it for the three+ years it will take to get one, and purchasing it when it’s available in 2027 (I can’t believe we are so far into this century already). Of course I’d need to get a different pair of speakers, which isn’t that of big deal to me financially. I’d probably sell off my current office system and bring in the Decware 300B and perhaps some Zu speakers.
I welcome your feedback and impressions on Decware!
For reference, my systems are below:
Main - in the living room
- Innuos Zenith
- Merason Dac1
- Linear Tube Audio Microzotl preamp
- Switch between Audio Hungary P200 tube amp with KT150 tubes
- And Conrad Johnson classic 120 with EL34 tubes
- Puritan 156
- Cables: mix of Cardas Clear, LessLoss, Kimber Kable Palladian PK10 / Speaker Cables - Cardas
- Speakers: QLN Prestige 3 / Dynaudio Heritage Specials
Office - smaller room
- Luxman 590axii
- Buchardt S400 mkii
- Goldnote Streamer
- Lessloss cables
- ...
- 41 posts total
Bluethinker, I have never heard the Sarah amp, so I will not offer any personal impressions; and by all accounts they are excellent. I too have heard about the parts quality they use, and at $4,500 without tubes.....they are about the same cost of many other 300B amps. I will echo what several have already said, give a call to Aric Kimball at Aric Audio and have a discussion with him. He personally responds to all phone calls and emails, and makes ridiculously great equipment. I own his Motherlode XL preamplifier, and his Transcend "Push Pull" amplifier. The quality of parts he uses are second to none (Khozmo, Clarity/Jupiter/Dueland capacitors, wire wound resistors,Takman resistors, custom Transcendar transformers, point to point wiring, copper lined chassis, and hand made in the USA, and 2 yeare warranty) Aric makes 2 300B amps, as well as a 2A3 SET amp. I do not want to sound like an advertisement, but his equipment is extraordinary.....and that is from personal experience in my system. When I eventually do end up buying a SET amp, it will definitely be one of Aric's designs. The Don Sachs and Lynn Olson Blackbird 300B monoblocks also look to be "end game", but have never heard them......and at $20,000 a pair, are cost no object projects. |
Kit1 Kit1-10 300B Integrated Amplifier – ANK Audio Kits I owned the Anniversary edition with the C core transformers, and it was not only great sound, but absolutely dependable and great bass! I regret selling it. For an extra 10%, they will build it for you, and they do that meticulously. You can also specify caps etc. |
i too have the Dynaudio HS and am contemplating getting the QLN Prestige 5’s. I know you said the Prestige 3’s are in your system, but in the same room on your gear how would you compare the two? I got a lot of great suggestions on the forum regarding a new floorstanding speaker in the $10-20k range and was able to listen to many at AXPONA and I’m down to QLN and Joseph Audio. I need to put my system in my profile, but I run a Rega P10, Hana Umami Red, Modwright reference tube phono, and an Octave AB tube integrated with x2 KT150s per channel! -Nick
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- 41 posts total