Forums - Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B

Skip

Verified Member

Posts: 36

Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B
09/12/25 at 19:40:59

I have a CSP325 + SE84UFO25. I'm on the list for a Sarah 300B, but have started thinking more about the Torii MK5. My room is 30' x 15' x 7'6", with front side and ceiling absorption panels. I really enjoy the SET sound and thought the Sarah would be a step up from the SE84UFO25. Aside from more watts I'm beginning to think it might essentially be a lateral move with the Sarah. Not to mention the dreaded "hum" that some folks are talking about. My Klipsch Forte I speakers are pretty sensitive. I'm thinking about the push-pull Torii for a few more db's and the ability to use some of my less efficient speakers. So for anyone that has heard both amps, could I get your opinion on the overall differences?

Cheers,
Skip

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Lon

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Re: Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B
Reply #1 - 09/12/25 at 20:12:09

I had a pair of SE84UFO3 with all the mods for over four years, and now have had the SEWE300B for over two years.

I'm posting just to say that the SEWE300B is more/different than the UFO25 sound with more watts. To my ears the UFO25 sound is more analytical, and the SEWE300B a fuller, deeper sound. That's the best way to describe it. I've lived happily with both, and both allowed me to tailor the system to fantastic playback. But there's more to it than just power number difference. (I've had a fully modded CSP3 in use with both--the differences in texture and depth are even more pronounced when the SEWE300B is used with the preamp, but I found that better sound came without a preamp as the SEWE300B has an amazing "preamp" stage built in).

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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Skip

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Posts: 36

Re: Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B
Reply #2 - 09/13/25 at 20:30:55

Lon, Thanks for that info. Interesting that you prefer the Sarah without the CSP3. I was excited with the thought of pairing them up, but now, I don't know.
I just watched a video from Thomas & Stereo on YouTube comparing the Torii and the UFO25. Really leaning toward the Torii now. It seems like I'll get what I'm looking for. Two fairly different amps. One with the SET sound and the other for my less efficient speakers, like the Acoustic Control Corp. set in the photo.

Cheers,
Skip

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Lon

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"Love without
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worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

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Re: Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B
Reply #3 - 09/13/25 at 22:08:14

I just think that Steve carefully chose just the right preamp stage for the SEWE300B and that another stage before it is too much of a good thing. Others may differ, though I do know one other owner who has forgone a preamp because of this. The SEWE300B ended my amp envy--I really love this amp and after having Zen amps, Rachel type amps and Torri II and IIIs . . . this is the one for me. Paired with my HR-1 speakers I get dream sound. (I can honestly say that I prefer the single-ended Decware to the push-pull after living with them both).

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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Dominick

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Re: Torii MK5 or Sarah 300B
Reply #4 - Today at 03:05:14

Skip…I was originally on the list for a UFO25, but after a conversation with Steve, I changed my order to a Torii MKIV 25th due to room size and speaker efficiency. A few years later I acquired a pair of SE84C+ zZen amps that I upgraded to the UFO’s and 25th Anniversay mods that I run in a mono configuration. So I do own both SET and Pushpull amps, and I love them both for different reasons. In terms of sound… the SET sound draws me in more than the push pull.

I heard Kamran’s Sarah 300b amp, and it sounds amazing. The sound is deeper and more 3 dimensional than my pair of Zen SE84C+ amps. The Torii is a great amp, and you really can’t go wrong with either amp. The Torii is a tube rollers dream and has great adjustability.

I would place a call into Steve and go over some details like room size, speaker efficiency, the concerning “hum” with your speakers, your listening volume level, etc etc.

Hope this helps.

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Rasp. Pi 4 [Roon], Schiit Bifrost True Multibit DAC, ZBIT, ZROCK2, My Audio Cables Ultra Silver+, ZSB, CSP2+ 25th, DAG Cables, DHC1, Torii MKIV 25th /2 White Zen SE84C+ 25th mono’s, Rega P2 Turntable, White top ZP3, Velodyne Dual Firing Sub, ERR’s [Bubbinga Wood]

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