As most of you know, the Sophia Electric 91-01 300B mono amplifiers that I reviewed for Positive Feedback Online back in January of 2011 reignited my interest in SET amplification, because they made incredibly beautiful music with my Tannoy Westminster Royal Special Edition loudspeakers.
Richard Wugang, the President of Sophia Electric, just sent me a Sophia Electric 91-03 integrated 300B amplifier to write an article about for a future issue of Positive Feedback Online. (below)
I really like integrated amplifiers. Truth be told, I actually prefer integrated amplifiers to separate amplification components, everything being equal. They are almost always more musical to my ears than separates.
The Leben CS-600 from Japan that I use in my Music Lovers System # 2 is a great example of a wonderful integrated amplifier that I use to power my Harbeth Super HL5 loudspeakers. There's a reason its won so many accolades at North American audio shows. Its a match made in heaven with a dynamic loudspeaker.
Then there's the fantastic solid-state ASR Exclusive II Version Blue integrated amplifier from Germany that I just reviewed for Positive Feedback Online in Issue 66 - what a music maker!
If I could have afforded to purchase the Emitter II it'd be sitting between my Westminster Royal SEs right now as the solid-state cornerstone of my amplifier stable. Sadly, the Big Brown Truck is coming by tomorrow to pick it up for return to the distributor for ASR in the US. Sometimes it sucks to be me. 🙁
It will be a while before the review of the Sophia Electric 91-03 will appear at Positive Feedback Online as its at the very end of my review queue, but in the meantime I'll keep you posted about its evolving performance on my Westminsters as I get it up and running and installed into my system.
The 91-03 came with a premium tube set, including the optional Sophia Electric Royal Princess 300B tubes, which remain my favorite 300B tubes to this day.
The build quality is some levels above the 91-01 amps that I own, but the circuits are similar, so it will be interesting to hear what the fancier transformers, power supply, CNC'd chassis, and higher pedigree components have on its sonic & musical abilities.
Much more to come! Thanks for stopping by!
