2. amps-preamps
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300b lovers

I have been an owner of Don Sachs gear since he began, and he modified all my HK Citation gear before he came out with his own creations.  I bought a Willsenton 300b integrated amp and was smitten with the sound of it, inexpensive as it is.  Don told me that he was designing a 300b amp with the legendary Lynn Olson and lo and behold, I got one of his early pair of pre-production mono-blocks recently, driving Spatial Audio M5 Triode Masters.  

Now with a week on the amp, I am eager to say that these 300b amps are simply sensational, creating a sound that brings the musicians right into my listening room with a palpable presence.  They create the most open vidid presentation to the music -- they are neither warm nor cool, just uncannily true to the source of the music.  They replace his excellent Kootai KT88 which I was dubious about being bettered by anything, but these amps are just outstanding.  Don is nearing production of a successor to his highly regard DS2 preamp, which also will have a  unique circuitry to mate with his 300b monos via XLR connections.  Don explained the sonic benefits of this design and it went over my head, but clearly these designs are well though out.. my ears confirm it. 

I have been an audiophile for nearly 50 years having had a boatload of electronics during that time, but I personally have never heard such a realistic presentation to my music as I am hearing with these 300b monos in my system.  300b tubes lend themselves to realistic music reproduction as my Willsenton 300b integrated amps informed me, but Don's 300b amps are in a entirely different realm.  Of course, 300b amps favor efficient speakers so carefully component matching is paramount.

Don is working out a business arrangement to have his electronics built by an American audio firm so they will soon be more widely available to the public.  Don will be attending the Seattle Audio Show in June in the Spatial Audio room where the speakers will be driven by his 300b monos and his preamp, with digital conversion with the outstanding Lampizator Pacific tube DAC.  I will be there to hear what I expect to be an outstanding sonic presentation.  

To allay any questions about the cost of Don's 300b mono, I do not have an answer. 

 

 

whitestix
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 

@lynn_olson

Tube amps, by contrast ... the tech never becomes obsolete. For that matter, all of the tubes used in the Blackbird, and the basic circuit, were first designed in the 1930’s! Talk about not going obsolete

I sincerely believe that this is true. No question that class D has come a long way sonically and will continue to do so. I acknowledge that many listeners are ecstatic about their GAN latest generation iterations. Yet, there is something Intrinsically musically right and natural with properly implemented tubes.

I believe that there are certain listeners who hear and recognize this unique and innate sound character and presentation. It would be illuminating to directly compare the Blackbird 300b amplifier with the state of the art highly praised class D amplifier offerings.

Charles

lynn_olson's avatar
lynn_olson
284 posts
 

What. A. Show!

Just got home ten minutes ago from Seattle. The most intense thing I've done since I went to the European Triode Festival in 2004. At least I didn't have to fly to Zurich this time ... only a 2.5 hour flight to SeaTac, and quick trip in the hotel bus. But man, the SIZE of the concourses in Denver ... combined with THREE gate changes.

Lots of fun meeting people at the show, and there were three or four really outstanding rooms, including [blush] our own. The Spatial team are great people and thoroughly professional, and several pre-orders are coming in. I have a feeling several vendors will be using a flight of Ravens and Blackbirds in their rooms next year.

donsachs's avatar
donsachs
262 posts
 

Yes, it was fun!  As Lynn said, there were 3 or 4 outstanding rooms and we had one of them.   It was a scramble taming the room and the internet connection on setup day, well into the late evening.  But we got it!   I would say the system was very much on song except for image height and width and that was totally limited by the small room.  But depth was very good and tonality was unaffected.   Hope a few more folks that stopped by will give others an unbiased opinion on this thread as they get home.

edisoncarter's avatar
edisoncarter
27 posts
 

I stopped by, and it was the only room I was made to feel totally unwelcome. Someone on the way in basically told me to get out there's a reviewer. Inside there was one guy sitting down being lectured about how great blah blah blah. I was totally ignored. Asked if we could hear some music? Got a glare and a terse "in a minute" then back to being ignored. Another guy I trust managed somehow to hear it, said it was okay. Only room all weekend actually refused to play music and treat attendees rudely. 

You want my unbiased view on this thread? Never seen one so dedicated to shilling allowed to go on and on. Free advertising. Must be nice.

 

tinear123
240 posts
 

Wow... It's really unfortunate that you had that experience and was certainly not how I was treated and I'm just a nobody.  I stopped by 3 times across the day on Friday and while the room was quite full each time.  However, I did introduce myself to Don and had a quite nice conversation.  Shill, not really sure what that really means but I get the implication and at least for me incorrect. 

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