BrianB
03-08-2008, 03:09 PM
Following up on the success of their highly-regarded A-08S single-ended triode amplifier (click here (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto2/45.html) for a nice review of that amp!), Yamamoto Sound Craft has introduced two new SET amps, both of which are now available for sale in North America:
1) A-011
http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/images/A-011-RCA2A3-web1.jpg
Although the A-08S set new standards for SET excellence, the primary limitation of this 45-based amp has always been its output power of two watts (typical for 45 SET designs). The new A-011 uses a pair of 2A3's to increase the output power to four watts. Although this is still "flea power" territory, the A-011 is much friendlier to speakers with efficiency ratings in the mid-90's.
Additionally, the A-011 offers a high-quality volume control for music lovers who only use a single source component (like a CD player) and therefore may not require a full-function preamplifier. The volume control can by bypassed, of course, to allow the A-011 to be used with any preamp.
2) A-09S
http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/images/A-09S-EML300BXLS-web.jpg
The new A-09S 300B amplifier now stands as Yamamoto Sound Craft's flagship model, and Mr. Yamamoto is especially proud of this creation. And although the model number here suggests that the A-09S is simply an upgraded version of the original, award-winning A-09 amp, the A-09S is a radically new design in almost every way. Among the dramatic changes to be found here are:
- newly-designed custom toroidal power and output transformers
- a newly-designed custom toroidal choke
- C3m driver tubes (the original A-09 used 717A's)
- individual current meters for the left and right output tubes
- the ability to accept both conventional and "super" (e.g., EML) 300B's
The original A-09 was one of the best 300B amps I've ever heard - it not only perfectly captured that magical midrange that 300B's are known for, but it also offered amazing performance at the frequency extremes (upper treble and lower bass), thereby contradicting the common claim that 300B amps are "midrange-only machines." The new A-09S pushes the sonic mastery of the A-09 to further heights, and I predict that it will someday (like the A-08S) be regarded as an audiophile classic.
For more information on the new A-09S, including some wonderful photographs, click here (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto6/a09s.html).
Happy listening!
Brian
Venus Hi-Fi
www.venushifi.com
517-881-7753
1) A-011
http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/images/A-011-RCA2A3-web1.jpg
Although the A-08S set new standards for SET excellence, the primary limitation of this 45-based amp has always been its output power of two watts (typical for 45 SET designs). The new A-011 uses a pair of 2A3's to increase the output power to four watts. Although this is still "flea power" territory, the A-011 is much friendlier to speakers with efficiency ratings in the mid-90's.
Additionally, the A-011 offers a high-quality volume control for music lovers who only use a single source component (like a CD player) and therefore may not require a full-function preamplifier. The volume control can by bypassed, of course, to allow the A-011 to be used with any preamp.
2) A-09S
http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/images/A-09S-EML300BXLS-web.jpg
The new A-09S 300B amplifier now stands as Yamamoto Sound Craft's flagship model, and Mr. Yamamoto is especially proud of this creation. And although the model number here suggests that the A-09S is simply an upgraded version of the original, award-winning A-09 amp, the A-09S is a radically new design in almost every way. Among the dramatic changes to be found here are:
- newly-designed custom toroidal power and output transformers
- a newly-designed custom toroidal choke
- C3m driver tubes (the original A-09 used 717A's)
- individual current meters for the left and right output tubes
- the ability to accept both conventional and "super" (e.g., EML) 300B's
The original A-09 was one of the best 300B amps I've ever heard - it not only perfectly captured that magical midrange that 300B's are known for, but it also offered amazing performance at the frequency extremes (upper treble and lower bass), thereby contradicting the common claim that 300B amps are "midrange-only machines." The new A-09S pushes the sonic mastery of the A-09 to further heights, and I predict that it will someday (like the A-08S) be regarded as an audiophile classic.
For more information on the new A-09S, including some wonderful photographs, click here (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto6/a09s.html).
Happy listening!
Brian
Venus Hi-Fi
www.venushifi.com
517-881-7753