User Reviews/Feedback for Sophia Electric™ 91-01 Mono-block 300B amplifiers

Received date: July 9, 2014

Dear Sue of Sophia Electric:

I am rediscovering my music collection with my new Sophia Electric 91-01 amplifiers.

Rewind a few years back. Based, in part, upon Arthur Salvatore\xe2\x80\x99s recommendation, I purchased a pair of CST Frankensteins II 300B amplifiers. Later on I purchased a pair of CST Pure Reference speakers.

After reading reviews, I tried the Full Music carbon plate 300Bs. One of them died prematurely within a few months. Later on, I tried the KR tubes, again trying to extend the curve. One of them died prematurely within a week. Fortunately, I got my money back. Finally, I ordered the Sophia Electric Royal Princess 300B tubes. For a few days I experienced an enhanced curve I had thought unattainable with a 300B power tube. After a few days (less than a week to my recollection) of listening (I say days as\rI am retired and actually listen to music most of the day), the same side had a \xe2\x80\x9cfireworks\xe2\x80\x9d of failure. Again prematurely. I spoke to Sue at Sophia and explained what happened. Without hesitation, she sent a new pair after I explained to her that I would have an audio tech look at it. The technician found nothing wrong with the CST amps. I even called the designer of the CST amps who said \xe2\x80\x9cYou can use any tube you want\xe2\x80\x9d. This was after I related to him what happened. I quickly lost faith in these CST Frankensteins amps. The CST speakers though are still going strong.

Based in part on Jeff Day\xe2\x80\x99s review which I read and re-read, I purchased the Sophia Electric 91-01 300B amplifiers. I got them about a week later. That was about two weeks ago. And now, I am re-discovering my music collection! I hear sounds at the \xe2\x80\x9coutside ends\xe2\x80\x9d of the listening curve that I never knew were recorded on the medium. Wow! Congratulations Sophia Electric! You have made a believer from me. The down side, of course, is that you can tell very easily when a recording has been badly made.

The 91-01 amps put out about 8 watts per side. Of course, if you are looking for what I call \xe2\x80\x9cmegawatts\xe2\x80\x9d amplifier, do not look here. So you need speakers that are of \xe2\x80\x9ceasy to drive\xe2\x80\x9d if not rated \xe2\x80\x9chigh efficiency\xe2\x80\x9d. Parenthetically, after the CST \xe2\x80\x9ckilled\xe2\x80\x9d three 300B tubes, I used my \xe2\x80\x9cspare\xe2\x80\x9d amplifier, producing\rtwo watts per side, and my speakers had no problem whatsoever. I guess the end result is \xe2\x80\x9cif the\rfirst watt sucks, why keep going\xe2\x80\x9d as the manufacturer of that two watts per channel amplifier said.

You may notice that I do not use technical terms anywhere in what I wrote. The answer is simple. I do not know the meaning of these technical terms. I do not write about something I know nothing about. But I do know about music. When I was working and could afford it, I went to a lot of concerts of \xe2\x80\x9clive\xe2\x80\x9d music. And to me, that is the only way to learn about music.

If you want to hear all of your music (from a recorded media), you cannot go wrong with Sophia Electric.

Jac