User Reviews on Sophia Electric Aqua III 274B Rectifier Tubes
Review: Sophia Electric Aqua III 274B Rectifier Tube Review by TimbreTalk.com
The Sophia Electric Aqua II 274B has long been lauded by audiophiles for its exquisite timbre, lifelike texture rendering, natural musicality, excellent dynamics, and vivid imaging, all contributing to a wide and deep soundstage with a strong sense of realism. Now, Sophia Electric introduces the Aqua III 274B, designed to build upon this esteemed foundation, particularly for DEWARE amplifiers, by offering a sound signature that emphasizes deeper bass and a slightly warmer midrange.
The Aqua II 274B and Aqua III 274B tested on the Modwright LS300 Class A dual mono amp with PS Audio BHK 600 monoblocks and Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 5 speakers.
Music Tracks tested
Diana Krall - How Deep is the Ocean, album This Dream of You
Bob Dylan - Man in the Long Black Coat, album Oh Mercy
Pink Floyd – On the Run, album The Dark Side of the Moon
Jewel – This little bird, album Spirit
Phillip Browne - Shame About the Rain, single
Let's delve into how the Aqua III compares to its predecessor across key sonic characteristics, as indicated by the comparison (1-100 rating):
| Characteristic | Sophia Electric Aqua II 274B | Sophia Electric Aqua III 274B |
| Tone | 90 | 92 |
| Bass | 88 | 92 |
| Clarity | 94 | 93 |
| Airiness | 92 | 89 |
| Transparency | 93 | 91 |
| Timbre | 94 | 90 |
| Warmth | 89 | 91 |
Key Sonic Impressions of the Sophia Electric Aqua III 274B:
- Deeper Bass (92 vs. 88): As highlighted, the Aqua III delivers a noticeable improvement in the low-end. This translates to a more authoritative and resonant bass response, providing a stronger foundation for the music without sacrificing definition. This deeper bass contributes to a richer overall presentation.
- Slightly Warmer Midrange (Warmth 91 vs. 89): The Aqua III brings a subtle but appreciable increase in warmth, particularly in the midrange. This can result in a more inviting and organic presentation of vocals and instruments, adding a touch of lushness that some listeners prefer for a more relaxed and engaging experience.
- Less Forward Presentation: While not explicitly rated in the chart, the combination of deeper bass and increased warmth often correlates with a less forward soundstage. This suggests that the Aqua III might position instruments and vocals slightly further back in the soundstage compared to the Aqua II, creating a more laid-back and expansive sonic image.
- Clarity (93 vs. 94): The Aqua III maintains excellent clarity, very close to the Aqua II. While there's a minor numerical difference, both tubes are designed to provide a high degree of clarity, ensuring that details are well-resolved and the sound remains articulate.
- Airiness (89 vs. 92) and Transparency (91 vs. 93): The Aqua III shows a slight reduction in airiness and transparency compared to the Aqua II. This is a common trade-off when a tube emphasizes warmth and bass. While still very good, it may not have the same expansive "open window" feel or microscopic detail retrieval as its predecessor.
- Timbre (90 vs. 94): The Aqua III's timbre, while still very good, is rated slightly lower than the Aqua II. This suggests that while it remains natural, the Aqua II might have a more exquisite or nuanced rendering of instrumental textures. This could be part of the trade-off for the added warmth and bass.
- Overall Tone (92 vs. 90): The higher overall tone rating for the Aqua III indicates that its enhanced bass and warmth contribute to a more universally pleasing or impactful tonal balance for many listeners, even with slight reductions in other areas.
Conclusion: The Sophia Electric Aqua III 274B appears to be a deliberate evolution from the Aqua II, catering to audiophiles who desire a more robust low-end and a slightly warmer, more inviting midrange. While it may trade a touch of the Aqua II's ultimate transparency and airiness for these characteristics, its deeper bass and increased warmth are likely to create a more impactful and emotionally resonant listening experience, especially in systems that benefit from a fuller, less analytical presentation. Both tubes clearly prioritize clarity and natural musicality, making the choice between Aqua II and Aqua III a matter of fine-tuning the sonic signature to individual system and taste.