Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier Ii With Optional Headphone Amplifier

Sophia Electric S.Eastward.T. Music™ Babe Amplifier

Sophia Electric'southward Babe Amplifier, Small in Size, Large in Sound

Sophia Electric S.E.T. Music Baby Amplifier [Italian version]

Product: S.E.T. Music™ Infant Amplifier
Manufacturer: Sophia Electric
Approx. price: $899.99 USD ($799.99 with standard bounden posts)
Reviewer: Richard George - TNT Us
Reviewed: June, 2003

A few decades ago, later solid land amplification had risen to preeminence based on vastly superior distortion measurements, audio magazine recommendations, and heavy advertising, I went completely against then-current audio wisdom and replaced a perfectly serviceable and socially acceptable Marantz Model 1030 integrated amplifier with a Dynaco PAS-3X preamp and a pair of Dynaco Mark III, 50-watt monoblocs. No i would listen, though some would smile with the condescending smirk of true believers watching a poor, deluded soul go astray. I friend listened to my setup once, for almost five minutes, with an odd expect on his confront, and then finally declared that the 'mid-range distortion' was so bad he didn't know how I could stand up it. Comparing the solid state amp I had (and a proficient 1 it was) to the Dynaco tube equipment, I was amazed at how sweetness and musical the Dynaco sounded. I decided at that time that I would always cull equipment based on the sound of information technology, rather than specifications or a predetermined decision based on which was supposed to be better.

Move ahead 25 years. My original Dynaco amplifiers were stolen, but have been replaced with a Stereo-seventy, although it isn't my master amplifier. Some things never change, but some things practice - vacuum tube equipment is back in manner. Despite superior measurements of low- and mid-priced solid state compared to competitive valve gear, the nowadays renaissance of tubes has non abated, in fact it appears to exist accelerating. Why else would we take valve preamps and power amps, valve output CD-players and DACs, and, recently, a computer motherboard with onboard sound card that uses a vacuum tube output?

Currently, much attention is paid to single-ended triode amplifiers (SET) and the quality of sound output that has made them so desirable. Even so. Since SETs typically just put out a few watts (or less), they require very efficient loudspeakers to get adequate performance. Some other established route to better operation would exist the use of a more powerful amplifier. To this terminate, a push button-pull organisation would deliver substantially more than ability than a comparable unmarried-ended blueprint.

While vacuum tube gear nonetheless hasn't penetrated the hallowed halls of electronics supermarkets, numerous manufacturers and distributors of vacuum tube equipment can be found by a cursory search on the Net. Sophia Electric, based about Washington D.C., is not a especially well-known proper noun brand. While they have been making tube amplifiers equally an OEM supplier for years, Sophia Electric has begun to market equipment under its own name. They have several high quality valve amplifiers under the Sophia Electric name, and a line of Sophia -branded vacuum tubes, including a 2.5v mesh-plate 300B tube that is currently being evaluated. While most of Sophia Electric'south products are relatively expensive, they recently introduced their new entry level amplifiers, the S.E.T. Music™ line. It should exist noted hither that the name, "South.E.T. Music™" has nothing to do with amplifier design, only rather seems to be a reference to the intended sound quality - both amps in this line are button-pull designs. The subject of this review is the smaller of the ii, the Baby Amplifier.

What is the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier?

As implied by its name, the Infant Amplifier is quite pocket-sized, 18cm wide, 23cm deep, and 13cm high (7in ten 9in x 5in), and weighs virtually 7kg (15 lbs). The Baby Amp is rated at 10 watts per channel with distortion listed as less than one% at full rated power. More important than distortion ratings, the specifications claim the frequency response of the Baby Amplifier to be an astounding 6Hz to 80KHz at �3dB (12Hz to 45KHz at �0 dB) and a indicate to dissonance ratio of -95dB. These specifications are achieved using a Class A, push-pull circuit with output tubes wired in pentode fashion and using minimal, global negative feedback. Solid land diodes take care of power rectification. Nominal speaker impedance should be 8 ohms.

Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier Tube Complement

The quad of output tubes are Russian military 6P1T pentodes, treated by Sophia for depression racket. While the 6P1T is similar in dimensions and outward advent to the EL84 family of tubes, they are not interchangeable due to meaning electric differences. A visual comparison with an EL84 reveals that the 6P1T has substantially more robust structure. The input/phase splitter tubes are American-made, NOS 5670, medium mu, 9-pin miniature dual triodes. The brand of the 5670s was unknown as there were no markings on the tubes.

Sophia Electric has designed the Infant Amplifier to be as inexpensive to produce as possible, while maintaining the fine sound quality of their more expensive amplifiers. To this end, the chassis and printed circuit board have been outsourced, but voicing and final assembly of the amplifiers is washed by Sophia Electric. The tube sockets, which are mounted on the PC board, are located just below the peak surface of the amplifier chassis. Dissimilar some PC board mounted tube sockets, the Baby Amp's sockets take a solid feel when installing or removing tubes. The transformers are located beneath a slotted metallic comprehend at the dorsum of the chassis.

The back panel contains the RCA input pair, the IEC power connector, and four speaker binding posts. The upgraded, loftier-end Sophia Electric speaker binding posts on the sample were gilded plated and covered with protective articulate plastic. Such a design would make accidental shorting past improperly secured speaker cables far less likely. The standard binding posts are simpler, gilt-plated units. The binding posts were laid out in a line with the positive posts in the center flanked by the negative posts.

Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier Back Panel

The exterior of the chassis is a elementary and aesthetically pleasing blueprint. Several people who saw information technology fabricated very positive comments well-nigh its appearance - the WAF (wife acceptance gene) of this unit of measurement is quite high. The chassis and transformer cover were painted with a matt black finish. Paint on the sample, a pre-product model, had a tiresome end. While the sample was quite attractive, Sophia Electric has since upgraded the pigment to a crinkle black finish. A gold-colored plaque in the top center of the transformer embrace was inscribed "Sophia Electric S.E.T. High End Audio".

Located near the forepart of the chassis, the quad of power tubes are ready in a shallow arc just backside the pair of input/stage splitter tubes. A curvaceously cut, brushed stainless steel, canvas metal emphasis surrounds all the tubes and bends over the front of the chassis to contain the gold-plated volume knob. Unit of measurement power is controlled by a single toggle switch on the left side of the front panel. Brusk pieces of carved hardwood (which appear to be cherry) are used every bit accents on the sides of the amp nigh the front end panel. The Baby Amp sits on four, soft condom feet.

How Does It Sound?

The sound quality of the Babe Amplifier is at once make clean and clear, with quick transient response and strong immediacy. It is more aggressive sounding than most Set amps, just without the harshness or added grit of most solid state offerings, especially those in the same price range. The Sophia Electric Baby amp has greater bear on and slam to the sound combined with more power for increased dynamic range, again, compared to typical, flea-powered Prepare amps.

The rated frequency response is astounding, listed past Sophia Electric every bit 6Hz to 80KHz at �3dB. No measurements were taken, just the Baby Amplifier delivered everything within the audible range with clarity and strength. The little Sophia had strong, deep bass within the limits of all suitable speaker systems tried. Highs were clean and crisp, with no trace of grit, harshness, or odd, sibilant artifacts. Besides often with cheap amplifiers, bells and chimes aren't recognizable, they simply don't sound like what they are. This is not a problem with the Sophia Electric Baby Amp - bells, triangles, and other high-frequency tones are easily recognizable (provided the recording is of decent quality!). Mid-range is clear and smooth, though it doesn't quite mensurate upwards to the liquid-shine middle frequency sound of Ready amps, particularly those with directly-heated triode (DHT) output tubes. The Baby Amp seems to have a very well-counterbalanced frequency response, but compared to many SET amps, the Baby amp is a bit vivid, due largely to its excellent upper frequency extension. As with any amp that has a very lively high cease, this may make utilise with overly brilliant speakers an issue, peculiarly in a live listening room.

Another pleasant aspect of the Sophia Electric Infant Amplifier is the big soundstage. The soundstage, with suitable speakers, extends slightly beyond the speakers to the sides. It also extends well backside the speakers, taking upward space that isn't actually present in the room. The consequence is that the room sounds larger than it is, simply because of the size of the soundstage. Holographic imaging is also very skillful, allowing precise lateral placement of instrument locations to be hands perceived. However, while lateral location was easy, depth placement was not every bit precise. Imaging in the third dimension was still quite good, but didn't have the three-dimensional focus of some amplifiers.

Unfortunately, no modernistic push-pull amps were available for comparison, and then an ancient Dynaco ST-70 was pressed into service. The ST-lxx is a push-pull stereo amp that uses EL34 pentodes and 20dB of negative feedback to become 35 watts per channel output. While switching dorsum and forth betwixt the ST-lxx and the Baby, several things were very, very obvious. While the 35-twelvemonth-one-time ST-70 nonetheless gives a very satisfyingly musical presentation, it is relatively harsh in sound, and details are patently veiled compared to the fiddling Sophia. Combined with, or peradventure considering of the veiled details, imaging with the ST-70 was only fair compared to the Sophia. While the ST-lxx had noticeably stronger bass, particularly when using sub-92dB speakers, perceived bass was slow and somewhat flabby sounding, while the Sophia'south bass was quick and well-controlled. The Sophia's highs were much more extended, had greater clarity, and superior definition. Of annotation is that the Baby Amplifier is nigh dead quiet, while the ST-seventy hums audibly, a victim of its depression-cost, 1960s design and construction. The ane attribute of performance in which the ST-70 had the advantage was output power. Quite only, the ST-70, with nearly 4 times the ability, can satisfactorily drive any speaker I had available. With merely 10 watts, the Sophia could not. For all-time results, speakers over 90dB sensitivity, and with relatively uncomplicated crossovers (or none) volition help get the best from the little Baby amplifier.

Side by side, came a comparing betwixt the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier and one of my favorite amplifiers, the Decware SE84C-Select, a 1.8 wpc single-ended amp that uses SV83 pentodes wired in pseudo-triode mode. In this comparing, there was much greater parity of audio quality, though they were notwithstanding very different. The Decware did accept some advantage in detail, 3-dimensional imaging, and mid-range tonal characteristics, especially when listening to female vocals, such as Jacintha'southward captivating Harlem Nocturne, or anything by Mary Black or Sarah Brightman. However, the piddling Sophia was more forward and aggressive, lending a more than firsthand and palpable presence to less ethereal vocals - music such equally the Pretender's Learning to Clamber LP was simply more fun and engaging with the Sophia Electric Infant amp than the little Decware. Part of the divergence comes down to one of power - the Sophia has at least a 6dB headroom reward over the SE84C-S. This allows the satisfactory utilize of a much broader variety of speakers than can be used with an amp that has less than 2 watts per channel. Another office of the deviation is that Sophia Electric'southward Babe Amp has much stronger and deeper bass than the Decware, which is an important consideration with many types of music. Pulling out an old LP of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" provided a clear reminder that additional power can really aid bring some music to life. Fifty-fifty when using the Omega TS1 speakers (96dB efficiency), the Decware sounded a bit thin and overworked, while the Baby Amplifier provided sufficient dynamic range and full, rich sound for much greater appreciation of this classic recording.

Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier, view from dorsum quarter.

One final amplifier comparison seems in order, that is, comparing the Baby Amplifier to an SET amp that uses a direct heated triode (DHT), in this instance, a Fi X 2A3 with the stock complement of tubes. First and foremost, the Infant costs but two-thirds as much every bit my Magnequest-equipped Fi Ten. Frequency response was very, very different betwixt the ii. The Sophia clearly had more than extended high frequencies that were sharp and clean. While the Fi X highs were clear, they were somewhat rolled off and seemed slightly less detailed by comparison. The trivial Sophia Electric amplifier was also quicker, with a more agile sound than the X, particularly in the lower bass. Again, at that place is a ability disparity, every bit the Fi X makes a whopping 3 watts, leaving the atomic Sophia with over iii times the ability. Despite the disparity in price, the only existent reward to the Fi 10 was in the mid-range, where the sugariness, compelling sound of the 2A3 held a clear advantage over the Sophia Electrical Babe Amplifier.

Because the Sophia has its own book pot, information technology tin be used as a standalone amplifier with a single input, provided the input source has sufficient voltage to fairly drive the Baby Amplifier. Used past itself with my primary digital source, a nOrh CD-ane, the Sophia displayed exceptional clarity and item. Withal, the CD-one and the Baby Amplifier seemed to exist somehow mismatched as the soundstage seemed flattened and the overall sound was somewhat thin and bright with a bias toward the high end. Switching interconnects and moving speakers effectually changed the sound, simply didn't bear upon the expected sonic improvement. When the Sophia was connected directly to a Pioneer DV525 with an Art DI/O DAC, the combination worked very well, illustrating in one case more than that component synergy is crucial to last sound quality. Not simply was the Pioneer/Fine art combination as clear and detailed every bit the CD-i, but the sound was richer, fuller, and simply more musically satisfying - normally, the contrary is true with the CD-one sounding more musical than the Pioneer/ART.

Sophia Electrical Baby Amplifier, view from side.

Using a preamp with the CD-i equally a source seemed to be the best solution. When trying an IRD Purist preamp, which was existence evaluated at the same time, the fiddling Sophia had a fuller, richer audio, but it also took on a more aggressive and forward presentation. This certainly was not a bad combination and, information technology may exist the best depending on speakers, room, and preferred music. The best combination for my listening room used my reference preamp, a Decware ZTPre tube preamplifier. The Sophia amp will work very well directly continued to a source, but for some inexplicable reason, information technology didn't work overly well with my CD-1 except in combination with a preamp.

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier worked well with a variety of loudspeakers, only information technology showed some distinct preferences. Two pairs of speakers with sensitivity below 88dB were tried, and both worked poorly. There only was not plenty available power from the Sophia to overcome the lower efficiency and to feed the passive components of the relatively complex crossover networks. In addition, while the Baby Amp worked very well with a pair of B&W DM602 speakers, the aforementioned cannot be said of a pair of Reynaud Twins. Both speakers are rated at 90dB, just the Reynauds are only 4-ohm impedance. With speakers of only 4-ohm impedance, the Sophia became somewhat sullen. Instead of a quick, agile, and highly detailed presentation, the Sophia was soft and slow sounding, with dulled, veiled highs and blubbery bass. Using a pair of ZERO Autoformers to increase impedance to eight ohms made a huge difference, assuasive the Reynauds and the Sophia to work very well together. Other speakers that worked well in my listening room included Omega TS-1s and Hornshoppe Horns.

Positive Impressions

The combination of sound quality, frequency response, clarity, soundstage, and imaging of the Babe Amplifier is exemplary for a sub-$chiliad power amplifier.

Woods, Stainless Steel, and Gilded Knob, Accents on Front of Babe Amplifier

The niggling Sophia strikes an excellent residual betwixt its sound, power, and toll. Printed circuit boards in power amps take developed a bad reputation in contempo years among some audio enthusiasts. While it is widely accepted that poorly done PC boards can adversely affect the sound of an amplifier, properly done, they should not significantly degrade its quality. After all, the very best solid country amps apply printed circuits, and their sound quality is top charge per unit. The existent reward to the use of PC boards in the pattern is that information technology allows Sophia Electrical to bring this product to market place at a much more than reasonable toll.

The Sophia makes 10 watts per channel. To solid state fans, this seems like a miniscule and laughable corporeality of power. In reality when using reasonably efficient speakers such as many B&Ws, Klipsch, Polk, or similar products in the price range of the little Sophia, the power output of the Baby Amp is more than than adequate. In reasonably sized rooms at normal listening volumes, the Baby Amplifier will deliver sufficient sound with adequate headroom to go on virtually people happy. Compared to flea-powered SET amps, the piffling Sophia has a 4dB to 6dB headroom advantage. Fifty-fifty compared to some higher-powered Ready amps, such as those powered by the 300B, the Sophia delivers somewhat more ability.

The Sophia Electrical Infant Amplifier has commencement rate build quality. Just picking it up, feeling its solid construction and considerable heft gives the impression of quality. Turning the book control reveals its motility to exist silky shine, and it is completely tranquillity in functioning. From the flawless matt black finished transformer cover to the prophylactic feet on the bottom, at that place nothing inexpensive or cheesy most the build quality of the Sophia amplifier.

The Babe Amplifier has a swish design that uses brushed stainless steel, gold, and wood accents. Information technology looks much more than expensive than it is. In fact, it is easily aesthetically more than appealing than about competing valve amplifiers. Every bit is often the case with valve amps, operating the little Sophia at dark provides a delightful light show. The 6P1T pentodes have a pleasant glow from top and bottom, merely the 5670s not only accept the usual dual-triode glow, but they also have a blood-red glow from the bottom of the tube. These contribute to the unique appearance of the Sophia in a darkened room.

This is a simple amp that appears to be piece of cake to use and piece of cake to maintain. The tubes are neither rare nor expensive. When the time comes to retube information technology, an unabridged set will cost nigh $60USD. In addition to all the standard features and the optional, higher quality binding posts, the Baby Amplifier may as well be ordered with many custom features, including a custom chassis. Premium component options for custom Baby Amplifier orders include Jensen Copper/paper-in-oil capacitors, and Blackgate power supply capacitors. No pricing was available for this kind of customization.

New paint on Babe Amp - shown with tubes lit. Photo courtesy Sophia Electric

Negative Observations

The Sophia Electric website states the required break-in time of the Baby Amplifier is l to 100 hours. Believe information technology. When first set up, the audio of the piffling Sophia was a little harsh, gritty, and surprisingly breakable. Prior to hooking upwards the Babe Amp, I had been working with a well broken-in 2A3 amp that delivers liquid smooth audio. When I get-go hooked up the Baby Amp, I thought something was wrong with it. After reading the break-in time recommended on the Sophia Electric website, I set the Baby Amp in my abode entertainment arrangement to exist used every bit much every bit possible in order to break it in. Since two weeks of frequent use immune the Sophia to sound much smoother and more relaxed, I had to conclude that this unit had never been properly broken in. This is a case where patience will exist rewarded.

All connectors on the Sophia Electrical Baby amp are well-marked and easily identifiable. Notwithstanding, because of the atomic size of the case, connectors on the back are rather close together. In fact, the RCA inputs are and then shut together that some high-stop, oversized, clench-blazon RCA connectors may not fit well. The speaker binding posts are also close together, which is no problem when using banana plugs, but can brand connecting unterminated wires to the posts somewhat tedious. In addition, the Sophia posts are minor enough and close enough together that people who prefer the use of garden hose sized speaker cables will take difficulty.

Power was listed equally a positive aspect of the Infant amplifier when compared to typical, flea-powered, SET amps. Withal, with only ten watts per aqueduct, the Sophia Electrical Baby Amplifier is not a powerhouse. Intendance must be used to select properly matched speakers for the room size, intended music type, and listening book, or the audio quality volition endure. With a pair of 90dB speakers played at an average 85dB, in that location is nigh 15dB headroom, which will be sufficient for most music, but when the Baby amp bumps into its maximum output, it does not clip as gracefully as some tube amps. Sound compresses badly and baloney increases radically every bit its limit is reached. To become aplenty headroom for ordinary listening, 90dB speakers volition piece of work well, but for loud sessions, 95dB or greater efficiency speakers are highly recommended. During testing, I never ran out of headroom while using the Omega TS-one speakers (96dB, single-driver), but crashed difficult into the power ceiling with the B&Due west and Reynaud speakers.

The Sophia Electric Babe amplifier does not piece of work well mis-matched impedance loads. This is not really a 'negative', but is something that must be taken into account when selecting this amplifier to power an existing set of speakers. If your speakers are iv ohms or lower, the Sophia will not deliver the type of performance of which it is capable - if your speakers are 16-ohm impedance, the Sophia Electric Baby amp will probably audio sparse, bright, and unpleasant. Every bit with any components, it must exist properly matched with the arrangement if it is to work well.

Sophia Electric identification plaque, from the summit of the transformer comprehend.

Conclusions

The entry-level audio market used to be populated with mid-fi gear that performed adequately, but left its purchasers wishing for more. This state of affairs is, of form, advantageous to the equipment builders, as they have plenty of higher-priced gear to fulfill the needs imposed by the dreaded audiophile affliction, 'upgrade-itis'. Increasingly, we are seeing products in the 'entry-level' cost range that have astonishing performance - performance that is out of character with the price. Sophia Electric is at present making just such a unit, the S.Eastward.T. Music™ Infant Amplifier, with production first as this review is being written.

Sophia Electric has entered the sub-$chiliad amplifier price range with a vengeance, serving notice of their intentions with a completely new amplifier designed, every bit their website says, "to be the world'due south finest amplifier." While that stated goal may be a bit optimistic, specially in light of college priced Sophia Electric products available, the fact remains that the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier is certainly among the finest in its price class - and beyond. With decent, usable power, impeccable sound, superb build quality, and very pleasing visual aesthetics, the littlest Sophia is pleasing to run across, and wonderful to hear. With whatever luck, they volition be able to go on to offer the Baby Amplifier at a low toll for a some time to come.

Many thanks to Richard Wugang, Manager for US and European Markets for Sophia Electric, for providing groundwork information and the sample used in this review.

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Source: https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/sophia_baby_e.html

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