Model no: SA-700 / SA-700-EH
Typical retailer / reseller price C$8,300 and up

Direct-out-of-the-factory price C$4,180 [US$ 3344] / C$4,880 [US$ 3904]

Enhanced version SA-700-EH

350W x 2ch (@ 4ohm) / 200W x 2ch (@ 8ohm)

Organic analog high power single-ended tube hybrid Super Amplifier

This is our state-of-the-art tube hybrid Super Amps, which combines the advantage of high bias Class AB transistor amp's tight bass and good speaker control, with single-ended pure class A vacuum tubes amplification (warm and sweet sound with excellent depth, wide open and airy sound stage). The output transformer of old-school SET amplifier is replaced with a super high dynamics and high power pure analog class AB solid-state transformer, which can output max. 350W of power per channel at 4 ohm loading. Super high speed speaker driving circuit design ensure fastest attack response as well as extreme dynamics. Built-in DC offset speaker protection circuit for safety operation even under extreme condition. The tube section is working in pure class A single-ended operation in order to achieve the purest and most natural tonal quality. One tube for each channel ensures maximum channel separation.

This amplifier has a very flexible tube rolling capabilities, the front tube section can use tons of different power tubes like 6SL7, 6SN7, 6SU7, ECC32, ECC33, ECC35, 5961, 5962, CV181...etc. With optional 8 pin to 9 pin converter, can use 6DJ8, 6922, ECC88, ECC188, ECC288....etc. The default output tube use the 6L6G (alternatetubes can use KT66, KT77, KT88, KT99, KT100, KT120, KT150, 6550, EL34, 5881, 6CA7, 6V6, 6K6, 6F6, 6G6, 6Y6 ...and all compatibles)

Since the tube section is designed with the most organic non-feedback pure class A single-ended circuit, the variation in gain of unmatched tubes might show difference. The amp already taken care of this issue so Left and right separate gain control included, even use hard to match NOS tubes can still achieve a perfect balance for both channels.

This unit comes with regular / airy selector, with this feature any speaker can achieve the best sonic performance, even darker sounding vintage speaker can open up without the need to add super tweeters.

If you were unaware of this amplifiers construction, and you judged the sound quality by listening only, you would believe it was a pure tube power amplifier and not a hybrid.You can then have both the smooth and silkiness of single-ended sound with very good punch, rich and well controlled and extended bass.

Delux high gloss solid-oak side panels for puriest and most natural sonic performance.

We strongly believe no other manufacturers can offer such a low cost high power amplifier with so good in sound quality. Sonic performance can easily surpass those selling 5 - 10 times more expensive in the industry.

Enhanced version upgraded features:

- Western Electric silk cloth wires upgraded

- oil capacitors upgraded

- 274B tube rectifier upgrade

- NOS carbon composite resistor upgraded

- purple gold OFC solid copper RCA and gold plated XLR input socket upgraded

 

Specifications

No. of inputs	1 set of RCA + 1 set of XLR balanced input
No. of outputs	1 set of speaker outputs (4- 32 ohm)
Freq response	5Hz - 100Khz (-3db)
S/N	better than 100 db at full power output, norminal THD < 0.1% at 1W output
Gain	~x30(~30db) when use 6SL7 in front (default)
Phase	180deg phase inverted
manufacturing	hand-wired point to point for the tube section
Tubes used	Regular version : 2 x 6SL7 (alt: 6SN7, 6SU7, ECC32, ECC33, ECC35, 5961, 5962, CV181..etc) 2 x 6L6GT (alt KT66, KT77, KT88, KT99, KT100, KT120, KT150, 6550, EL34, 5881, 6CA7, 6V6, 6K6, 6F6, 6G6, 6Y6 ...and all compatibles) Enhanced version : 2 x 6SL7 (alt: 6SN7, 6SU7, ECC32, ECC33, ECC35, 5961, 5962, CV181..etc) 2 x NOS 6F6G (alt KT66, KT77, KT88, KT99, KT100, KT120, KT150, 6550, EL34, 6L6, 5881, 6CA7, 6V6, 6K6, 6G6, 6Y6 ...and all compatibles) 274B (alt: 5U4, 5R4, 5AR4, 5Y3 and all compatibles)
Output power	350W x 2 (4 ohm) / 200W x 2 (8 ohm)

Customer feedback:

I was interested in this particular amplifier due to the unique design. Many admire the "regular" low watt SET tube amps on the market due to it's inviting musical and romantic sound with highly efficient speakers. My Totem Element Earth speaker are not rated as extremely efficient at 88db. I'm not certain how low the speaker's impedance dips in some frequencies but I simply demand current to provide me headroom to control the driver from the amp.

Not only does this Hybrid SET amp have this liquid flow and detail. The holographic imaging this amp creates is extremely pleasing. The intimacy and emotion is rather obvious compared to my $4500 modest Parasound A21+ solid state amp. With identical DAC and Pre-amp, the hybrid SA-700 creates substantially better SQ. Even my Parasound P6 solid state pre-amp drastically has elevated to a more meaty, analog sound but shockingly provided more spacial depth in holographic isolation and stage.

The hybrid SET amp has a musical and meaty body with wonderful tone. One unique character that Albert's gear has is versatility. The amps character is not exactly set in stone. This amp is extremely dynamic, tight controlled bass and highly detailed. It almost appears that I am describing a typical solid state amp but soooooo much more!!! The difference is the massive alternatives in tube rolling with a tremendous selection of different tubes to choose from.

My STL tube dac is incredibly revealing in emotion even compared to other highly regarded $$$ DACs. The STL tube pre-amp matched with this amp is a potent combo. From Lindsey Stirling - Artemis, Nils Lofgren - Keith don't go, Brian Bromberg - my bass, depeche mode - welcome to my world to acoustic vocals. I can achieve well balanced sweet bliss and have a lot of current on tap when needed. I tweak my setup so it's NOT a tubey warm presentation.

Getting back to my 300 watt x 2 (8 ohm) Parasound A21+ solid state amp (with Synergistic Research "Orange fuse) ......... the SA-700 hybrid amp is no lightweight. The KT150 (not included in this package) / 6SL7 combo is providing bass that digs much deeper than my Parasound A21+ solid state amp, while the hybrid is retaining tight, well controlled bass and equally/surpassing transparency of my A21+ (shock to me!!). I was rather shocked to experience to hear this kind of performance from the hybrid. With this SA-700, I am now achieving and extracting more realistic detail than my Parasound amp with additional realism and live presentation. This amp does not sound like a reproduction of music as it has a "natura/real wordll" sound. My KT150 gives me a "wrap around" sound stage that envelopes my seating area. Wow factor simply from this amp alone and all else in the audio chain remaining untouched.......What the!!!!

Some say tubes creates a colouration of sound. I will simply say the purpose of music is for the joys of experiencing wonderful therapy. I am not saying my solid state amp is lifeless. I am not in a "honeymoon" stage with this kind of sound. I just observe that musical enjoyment is what it's all about. Not a matter of analysis or eliminating any colouration as a purist. I've visited "ideal" sound room setups where systems can sound sterile and a boring experience with $$$$$$ gear.

Albert's new breed of hybrid tube amps have personally created one of the most intimate and emotional experiences in my modest setup. Having a local handcrafted creation from start to finish is quite an accomplishment.

I was not surprised that the SA-700 surpassed sonic quality by a huge factor vs my Parasound A21+. I have not even broken in this unit as it has few hours on it. I'm currently using my own hybrid power cord that is surpassing my $1200 furtech cords. I am noticing that the SA-700 is extremely responsive in tube rolling and power cord selection.

 

1 year parts and labor warranty under normal operation conditions

standard chassis : all solid aluminum with solid-oak side panels.

(optional chassis :  all solid-oak, super-gloss MDF, metallic MDF...etc) with additional cost