Exultation 300B Power Amp
(click on photo to link to eXemplar site)
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Exultation 300B Power Amp:
These amplifiers are truly in a league of their own. The all triode signal path is configured
in the most linear way possible:
Specifications:
Outputs: 5 way binding posts
Inputs: RCA x 1
Input Impedance: 100K ohm
Output Impedance: 4 , 8 or 16 ohm factory wired
Power: 5 watts RMS
Frequency: 10Hz - 30KHz at 5 watts
Circuit and Tubes:
- Innovative, very high performance power and control circuitry
- All tube, all triode signal path
- Active loaded, shunt regulated driver stage
- The driver stage is direct-coupled to the output stage
- Active loaded output stage
- MagneQuest nickel parafeed output transformers
- Driver: 6N1P
- Shunt Regulator: 5965
- Output: TJ mesh plate 300B
Pricing:
$8,500 per monoblock pair
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More on eXemplar's Design Philosophy and Goals:
This discussion arose out of an e-mail conversation with a customer regarding selection of tubes for his eXemplar eXception II
line stage - whether he should try the Western Electric WE396A in place of the standard 6N3P.
While centered around the eXception, this commentary applies to the design approach of all eXemplar electronics.
Perhaps the best way of describing eXemplar's "house sound" (like those of tonearm wizard Frank Schroeder) is that it
renders the old audiophile argument of accuracy vs. musicality completely irrelevant. We've observed that people
stop discussing their rig in technical terms and start thinking in terms of music - even those who's technical vocabulary
is extensive.
It's worth noting that John's inspiration for designing his electronics was the ruthless, revealing nature of the eXemplar
horns. When coupled with bad electronics, they can be a cruel mistress. We most definitely recommend these speakers as
coming toward the end of your journey toward an eXemplar system and not the beginning.
John's early dealers begged him to detune the horns, but John insisted that they were correct and that the electronics in use
were inferior. One could argue that John designed complimentary colorations (e.g. rolled off top end) into his electronics to
mask his speakers' characteristics, but this would be arriving at an uninformed conclusion.
Having heard John's electronics in several different contexts, their essential neutral yet subtle and delicate voice always
comes through in a startling manner. There is nothing rolled off about eXemplar electronics.
I am at a loss to describe the paradox I hear - much in the same way that I can explain another paradox -
where a good tonearm can bring the best out of several different cartridges, revealing more of the signal while making
different cartridges sound more alike.
In the case of tonearms, I've concluded that this has to do with reducing and controlling resonances - one of the many
distinguishing characteristics amongst cartridges. Of course, other characteristics which contribute to a cartridge's sonic
signature are the motor/generator assembly, the cantilever materials, suspension, and stylus profile. By minimizing one of
the main distinguishing characteristics (resonance), a good tonearm can make two different cartridges sound both better
and yet more alike.
John's electronics are extremely well mannered without being boring because of the stable operating environment his designs
present to the tubes. This is in no small part due to his application of active plate loading and shunt regulation.
You will be surprised upon hearing John's power amps to discover that while they are all extraordinarily dynamic, nuanced
and transparent, they sound very much alike - with a 300B amp being as delicate and nuanced as his 45 based design. Lovers
of traditional 300Bs will not like this, but the majority of tube connoisseurs will consider this to be more accurate as
well as musically satisfying in the long run.
John's designs are less affected by tube rolling because they give the tube an easy environment to work in - in the same way
that a good tonearm makes it easier for a cartridge to strut its stuff. You will most certainly hear the difference between
tubes and brands, but prepare yourself to love tube types you had previously dismissed as being unlistenable.
While the above comments come from my own observations, I have reviewed them with John and he is in complete agreement -
especially liking my comments relating to the stable operating environment raising the performance of "lesser" tubes.
In the case of the eXemplar eXception II line stage, John has come to the conclusion that the 6N3P is the most accurate
and musical tube of the available choices. This is how he now supplies the line stage. He's found the 6N3P
to have the most even frequency response.
As with all component interfacing, an accurate musical component might broadcast a problem elsewhere in one's system. Do
not shoot the messenger, but do consider tube rolling at this point.
If you have a system which has brightness issues, by all means go with the Western WE 396A. It has a typical Western
Electric tube sound with a rolled off top end that can tame some of your system's ills until you have the opportunity
to cure them at the source. You can start on the road toward eXemplar without suffering early on.
John's recommendation is to start with the 6N3P in order to better understand the rest of your system. By all means,
consider sourcing some Western WE396A's to decide how best to optimize your system. When it's time for a system change
somewhere else in your signal chain, keep your 6N3P's handy. They will help you make the right choice.
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