I thought I'd start a thread and not be too formal but share some initial impressions. I like reading Steve's threads and how they progress in findings so I thought I'd do the same. Here's the first of a few thoughts with more to come I am sure.

The below is a copy and paste from another site where the amp Decware is being discussed , and I thought it was time to chime in with ACTUAL experience with this amp.

"I have a few things to work out with this amp but I know when Steve is done with it the minor issues will be solved. I am going on a month with the #4 serial number SEWE300B. I knew what I heard the first day, but let my opinions sit for the last three plus weeks. I will be writing my thoughts down and want to do so properly but with over 40 years of (but not solely dedicated to) horns, tubes, and analog in general this amp in MY system, in MY room, to MY ears it is the finest sound I have heard at any price. I have had several different amplifiers 300b circuits/builds alone over the years that I can remember, and I really want to use the proper adjectives to describe what I am going through, but in "audio" terms it has changed everything for me. I have fell asleep every night in my chair this last week as I did not want to stop listening. I am glad I never gave up on the 300B and this does everything my former benchmark 6P15P-EV based SE84UFO25 Zen triode does but with even more lush huge stage, and realistic vocals, while maintaining that pinpoint Imaging that the 2.3wpc UFO25 model provides. It is almost like being pulled so deep into the music and room everything just falls away, and an awe just settles in.

For now I will leave this here as it seems to have come up more than a few times. I too had some concern when in Steve's comments he almost was bracing potential buyers to be ready for hum. I think it works both ways. It made me immediately almost pass on the amp as my main speakers are 101db sensitivity rated. I put that aside as I know the Decware line, and have owned Decware gear since 2007. It was the most pleasant surprise than when I hooked up the amp it's probably one of the quietest 300B buildsI have heard. It certainly is no louder than a few I had before that I considered benchmark for noise floor in a 300b.

I realize I have been very fortunate over the years in being able to pursue my audio passions , and I'd like to pass that on. If anyone would like to come draw their own conclusions they are seriously welcome to come do so. At least then one could say that they have actually listened to the amp so many are commenting on.

For reference I am currently using a complete set of Cryotone tubes with both the 5u4 and 5ar4 rectifiers to compare. I also have complete sets of all three (OA, OB, and OC2 ) VR tube choices coming including specific 75C1 tubes . I also hope to have the new Sofia Electric Aqua II 274b tube soon. "

Charlie

Well, I did some more reading about 300B tubes and just decided to order a pair of Cryotone 300B-WC--I only have one pair (Sophia Electric Classic) and need a backup. What Steve wrote both on the forum and in correspondence and the total satisfaction Charlie has exhibited pushed me over the edge even though I've been edged away from Cryotone from past purchases.

They may be just the ticket. We'll see. I love the Classics so if these aren't better they could be back ups.

The Steve Hoffman forum. I actually posted your review there as it was the first comprehensive one and went far beyond the video ones. It made no difference to the grumblers and snobs there. They just can't accept that Decware components can have great value and produce amazing playback.

I'll definitely post comparisons with the Sophia Electric. These are giving great sound and I think (especially as they were demo tubes) they are fully seasoned and dishing it out.

So the non cryoed tube lineup to start is this:
1 pair shuguang 300b black treasure
1 pair of Siemens E188CC/7308
1 Siemens ECC82
3 Mullard OC2
RCA 5u4g/U52 or Amprex 5ar4/GZ34

That's the thing with a new amp. Gotta start somewhere. Between brands and variants I must have 50 very nice options on the input and driver tubes alone. I have many many rectifiers that can be safely used I believe also.

What rectifiers have you tried so far?

I am also waiting on full sets of all three VR tube options including some 75C1's.

I have The Black Treasures, Sovteks, and some TJ mesh plates. I know I have a set of Sofia Electrics somewhere also as far as 300B's go.

Wow even the original Aqua? I didn't think it was rated for what was safely needed in this amp? Interesting. I always wondered about the 5V4 only because until now I realized I have never used one in an audio application and have some.

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Note that the ratings are the minimum acceptable values. Any tube can perform (far) better than the data sheet specs, but of course it is hard to tell which ones are which. For example the Type 80 is spec'd for considerably less than what is required by Sarah, but Lon used it without an issue. Of course how long it might have lasted if he used it long term is a question to which we probably won't ever get the answer.

What are your impressions as to the sound of the Sarah with each of the three voltage regulator pairs? Which is the most”real-sounding” “true to life presence” “suspended disbelief “?

Rensselaer wrote:
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Please note that the Sarah uses a total of three VR tubes, each for the left and right channel Driver tubes, and one for the 12AU7 Input tube. The compatible VR tubes are OC2 which has a voltage drop of 75 volts, OB2 which has a voltage drop of 115 volts and OA2 which has a voltage drop of 150 volts.
You will want to use the same type of tube for the left and right channel driver tubes, but may use a different type to feed the input tube to tailor your sound.

Beautiful setup Charles.  I’m glad Sarah is back.

And in a weird coincidence, my (used) Cryotone 5AR4 v2 also put up a light show yesterday upon start-up.  That was the end of that.

I'm starting to feel a bit reminiscent as of late. I have been around music since day one. Full analog system with reel to reel , and turntables by age 7.immersed in music 24/7. Working in a recording studio at 12 years of age. Dj'ing house parties, clubs, and radio stations and making a living doing so and recording tapes from 1982 till 1992 (age 12-22). Nuff' said. I recently made some tape copies from several DSD,DXD,DSF files. I have sat down the last two nights for some listening to these recordings. Geez!! The space ,compression, air, placements, and all the good stuff is just effortlessly pumping though this room. I did not say speakers because there literally are NO speakers in this room once music starts. Everything just falls away, and speakers just disappear. I cannot imagine being "done" with tinkering and trying components/speakers for life, but what is going on with this system and it's synergy is more than I could have ever imagined for the gear, and room i have. This is defiantly reference for me! This amp is just remarkable with my current gear lineup, and I sometimes feel I am rambling on and on but I am fine with that.

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Lord YES!! I am glad I am here, and it's been a wonderful journey do not get me wrong, but YES!

Charles, thx for sharing your history with audio. Given the collective experience of members who have been at this game for decades, I consistently hear praise for Sarah as being one of the best amps they have owned and that warms my heart.

Love the pics and the look of the tape machine!

Ah so young. . . and so much younger than I! Similarly my Dad's gear got me into both music and the stereo habit. . .starting when I was a bit older and yet eight years before your picture when my father was given an AR, EMI and Dynaco system in '62.

Probably when I took up smoking too!

Tonight was again yet another benchmark, and some of the most pleasant audio I have encountered in many years. There is a very big surprise coming also. For now these Lii Audio F-6S speakers are the reason for a big possible change coming. I am speechless for now in the best way.

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Must have been the sound stage that comes from a crossoverless point source on speakers pulled 6 feet into the room : ). The amp would indeed love that.

Happy listening!

Steve

I tried the Cryotone 5AR4 and hated it. But the Cryotone driver tubes and 300B tubes are really nice. I replaced the Cryotone input with a GE 5639 that Steve provided with a ZROCK2 and I'm done tube rolling (I'm also using 75C1 regulation tubes, I love these).

I have had my toe-in on the HR-1 the way you've decided on for these speakers and that is a great compromise. However I now have my HR-1 with NO toe-in and it's best for my less stellar recordings (many!) and my great recordings still sound great.

Hi Lon,
Did you mean to say GE 5963? Thanks for all your insight on the forums!

Lon, could you describe that GE tube. Does it have gray or black plates, etc.
Thanks again!

Charles, sorry to hear about the hum.  The fact that you have tested this in other systems with the same result, speaks to something being off in that particular unit, but it also went through a Decware checkup with flying colors.  Really bizarre.

Thank you!

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Roughly four months ago I said the above. After the Decfest gathering, the amp was sent in so it was gone roughly a month. Then Christmas came, then the new year. As of today I have roughly 400 hours on the amp ( I started keeping records since it's return only. When the amp was purchased a brand new set of Wathen cryotone tubes with both 5u4 and 5ar4 rectifiers were purchased. They are possibly the quietest tubes I have owned. Having said that I am really bummed out to say this morning the third replacement rectifier from Wathen arched up then put on a show before the fuse popped in the Sarah. That's two 5ar4's and a 5u4. Before I posted this I wanted to make sure it wasn't any other possible issue to be completely fair. I have run half of those hours with two other complete non Wathen cryoed tube sets from my personal stash. I have tried several rectifiers in these other combos without one hitch. I had got busy and re read the original post and it reminded me I never ordered the Aqua II 274B from Sofia so I did this morning out of frustration partly, though I wanted to try the Sofia II for quite some time prior. I have a rather large pile of expensive boxes accumulating, and I think I am done for now with at least the rectifiers from Wathen. On another note I am very surprised how well things are sounding despite all of the above issues from left channel ac hum in a perfectly new amp to tubes randomly and prematurely expiring. I also moved the gear from the side wall to back up front. I previously ran all my gear into the preamp then ran a 30ft set of xlr's to a zbit next to the Sarah. I now have shorter cable runs, and freed up the Zbit to try on my DAC out into the preamp. Shazaam!! Something is definatly going on that I have never heard. So I'll be in the room the rest of this rainy day readjusting settings and listening I suppose.

No complaints..... just examples of what's been going on lately.

Charlie

Warming up as I type. I need a great sounding rectifier that does blow on me instantly out of the box, or after a few weeks. Please be the one.

A few shots. Sorry but it’s just gorgeous and the sound eith this new Aqua II is just thick as a brick and so deep and airy. Only about 10 hours in.

Charlie

I'm still fairly steady. They were handheld with an iPhone 11, but I thought they were nice as well. . Thank you.