Although we fully understand the concept of diminishing returns, we often take build quality to extreme levels in Silbatone reference series designs, because we try to reach for the stars with these highly expensive models. The truth is that extremely high caliber performance is accessible at somewhat less cost because much of the quality we seek is inherent in our approach to circuit design rather than the particular fancy parts used in implementation of one model or another.

For our mainstream production phone stage, we took the concept of our reference-class SQ-102 Phono Amplifier, with D3a and silver MC step up and output transformers. And transformed it into the slightly more modest SQ-107, built around a German Post C3m voltage amplifier and a 7044 buffer, same as the top model Lundahl amorphous core output transformers help acquire the sound that we often look for with silver, high definition with a sense of musical truth. Aside from copper instead of silver transformers, the designs are fundamentally alike, and the much of their sound quality is shared as well.

At the level we working on, the differences between one of our phono models and another is a question of personal preference and subtle characteristics. Some are more fancy than others but all share the same technological DNA. We are pleased to adopt the SQ-107 into our family of refined phono preamplifiers, as we are always seeking to meet the vinyl maniacs desire for a little bit more from a phono stage. The SQ-107 will get you there. For convenient organization of your analog life, the SQ-107 features MM and MC inputs with selectable 7x/16x gain step up transformer. 5MV for 1V out MM input sensitivity, very usable for outboard transformers. Balanced and unbalanced transformer isolated output jacks are provided. A flexible central hub to moderate the complexities of the phono wing of any advanced phono setup!

The L-107 and the SQ-107 are a team made in heaven for the analog lover seeking very high levels of performance in a moderately-priced suite of electronics, built the Silbatone way. We think the L-107 and SQ-107 is a very good place to be for musical enjoyment and value. For no-nonsense quality, convenience and cutting-edge performance, we invite you to consider the Silbatone 107 line!

Back in the 1980s, the ideal audio component was considered to be equivalent to a “straight wire with gain.” At Silbatone, we know this is not enough. In the case of our L-101 Line amplifier, comparing it with a direct connection from a digital source shows that it is the direct connection that is missing something crucial to musical understanding and appreciation that our preamplifier provides. Our goal is to produce preamplifiers that make musical experience better in every way—both more vivid and more realistic, making an important contribution to listening pleasure rather than adding noise and electronic colorations to the signal as so many current designs.

The L-101 is a marvel in circuit simplicity. Asilver wire input transformer allows for balanced or unbalanced inputs. A 64 step relay-switched silver wire nickel core autoformer provides adjustable gain trim to establish proper system sensitivity. A Western Electric 262B small signal triode is the primary active device in the signal path, configured in a novel “zero volt in, zero volt out” structure which is directly coupled, requiring no signal capacitors at input or output. The 262B is directly coupled to a buffer using select 8416 triodes driving silver wire output transformers, providing balanced and unbalanced connections. Bandwidth is 10hz-200khz with a remarkable musical presentation.

The L-101 power supply is double-regulated, with a remarkably low noise floor and featuring an extremely fast buffer optimized for audio performance sidestepping the sonic footprint that lesser regulator designs impose on musical sound. Noiseless, smooth, and natural music is our goal and sophisticated power supply approaches are essential resources for getting there.

As dedicated preamplifier specialists, Silbatone has been leading the way in low level amplification for some years but we feel that a new level of performance has been discovered with our L-101 Line Preamplifier. Those seeking the best possible line amplification need look no further!

Although many believe that an active line amplifier is not necessary with digital sources, we find that interest in line amplifiers seems to be continually growing at the higher end of the audio market. Not only do separate amplifiers provide convenient control center functions, but a really fine line amplifier can greatly improve the overall presentation of a quality system. Even in the best DACs and players, the output stage is usually somewhat of a compromise and this can become a weak point in an otherwise well-appointed system, one which Silbatone can remedy with our specialist preamplifiers.

The newest Silbatone collection of line amplifiers features trickle-down technology from our reference-grade L-101 preamp which features a WE 262B triode in a unique zero volt in/zero volt out circuit that requires no coupling capacitors from the silver autoformer input to the Bendix 6900 driven silver wired double C core Finemet output transformer. To date, this is the best line amp topology we have experienced and we decided to explore the possibility of this approach on a slightly less costly basis.

Although much of our research at Silbatone Labs is focused on cost-no-object designs for the extremist crowd, some of our best ideas provide direction and inspiration for more popularly priced products. A case in point is our new L-107 Line Amplifier, which could be called a trickle-down version of our high-dollar L-107 Mk.II, a line amp of substantial merit and corresponding price tag.

When the two most prominent audio magazine editors in Japan heard our fancy L-107 Mk.II silver input and output transformer line stage based around the WE 310A, they both wrote personal checks for full retail and bought the unit on the spot. They even told us it was underpriced, after they paid of course. One thought it might be the best piece of audio gear he ever heard. Frankly, we were impressed that they were so impressed. We liked it too but we surely welcome such validation! It was a statement piece, as they say, an attempt to nail down a particular point in our line amp evolution.

For the production L-107, we substituted a 7044 triode section for the collector item WE 310A tube and switched to copper transformers, but we must say that it is not far behind its expensive sister in musical performance, if at all. Built to high Silbatone standards, it features a broadcast-grade 40 step Tokyo Ko-on attenuator and a 7044 output buffer configuration that is actually one generation beyond the Mk.II output stage. Input and output transformers for maximum isolation and optimal drive.

The L107 features four inputs-- 2x balanced and 2x unbalanced - with both balanced and unbalanced outputs available for optimal system building extensiblity.

Silbatone P105 NeoHyb WE 275A Amplifier

Although not as famous as its big sister, the Western Electric 300B, we really can’t think of enough good things to say about the WE 275A tube. Another 1930s triode designed for sound reproduction, the 275A was only used in several rare WE push pull amplifiers which most audio people don’t know anything about. This tube is natural, detailed and very lively, just sweet enough to be emotionally compelling while never sounding processed or overblown. A tour de force of early triodes and a great favorite of ours.

Perhaps one reason this sleeper tube has not attracted more attention is due to the lowish power rating. This is essentially a three watt tube, more or less Western Electric’s answer to the 2A3. And although single 2A3 amps are favorites among specialist tube maniacs, many listeners require more juice to make their speakers come alive.

Well, this is exactly the job that the Silbatone NeoHyb circuit was intended to perform. We take the wonderful-but-low power 275A, and with our current multiplier arrangement, the P105 can produce a potent 8 Watts of musical bliss! Low output impedance, plenty of drive for real world loads, and the harmonic characteristics are an exact match for the standalone tube. Pure 275A sound!

Since this will be the first time most people ever heard a 275A tube, we wanted to provide a top notch platform for the power stage to perform at its best. We outfitted it with a really excellent 12AY7 driver stage using select types of 1950s NOS tubes and we designed a special foil transformer with a Hitachi Finemet double C core. Operating points are chosen to ensure stress-free operation and long life for the NOS antique output tubes.

In listening sessions between the P105 and P106, both eight watt class NeoHyb amplifiers, it is interesting to observe how some are drawn to one design and some to the other. Maybe one can say that the 45 tube based P105 is a favorite with jazz lovers and classical listeners might prefer the 275A based P106, but the next listener will surely break that mold, or the next song. For Silbatone, the NeoHyb project is all about providing more options for music lovers to find their sound. Our NeoHyb series brings great classic triodes forward into the realm of practicality for today’s systems. Give them a listen. You just might fall in love!

P-103 Stereo 205D Convertible Tube Power Amplifier

Working within our NeoHyb platform for several years has brought us many insights, allowing us to explore higher power with real single-ended triode sound, an especially valuable trick with tubes that are simply too low powered to be usable as output tubes in typical amplifiers and most home systems. We were surprised how great some of the very earliest triode tubes played music when we were able to boost their output to practical levels with out current multiplying technology.

Our new P-103 Stereo Amplifier cuts right to the heart of the issue, bringing our best NeoHyb techniques to bear in a flexible design that plays the antique 205D triode natively, one of the best tubes of all time. However, the P-103 allows the user to substitute the VT-2, Type 50, and even the WE 300B with adapters! It is a tube lovers dream amplifier, bringing a world of musical possibilities into hand, pretty much the defining purpose of the NeoHyb platform.

Only the finest parts are used in the reference class P-103 Amplifier, including our best “Five Star” silver primary/silver foil secondary output transformers, built on custom-produced over sized Hitachi Finemet cores. Transformer-isolated balanced and unbalanced inputs featuring silver 10 kohm input transformers are provided for system building flexibility.

The low parts count P-103 circuitry is fully direct coupled, avoiding the inevitable colorations of coupling capacitors. The Bendix 6900 is our voltage amplifer tube of choice: rare, expensive, and requiring particular care in implementation to get right, but we use it because nothing else captures the amazing quality that it gives us. The voice of the P-103 is the pure song of silver transformers and the best tubes on the planet, so we know you will enjoy!

Output power of the P-103 is a substantial eight watts, regardless of output tube choice. In the case of the 50 and 300B, the operating points chosen are very conservative and guarantee an easy ride for your precious tubes. Let’s face it, vintage tubes are finite resources. With the P-103 and its relatives in the NeoHyb family tree, you can run your tubes where they sound best and enjoy the longest life, instead of pushing them to the limit for maximum power. The current multiplier does the rest, magnifying the drive capability of the output tube without any modification or degradation of harmonic character. A constant current filament supply provides an extra measure of care for your antique triodes.

We present the P-103 Stereo Amplifier as an exemplar of the NeoHyb project. We put everything we know into this paradigm statement of a mature R&D program, an adventure that has brought us a lot of enjoyment and edification. The P-103 Amplifer is a unique and uncompromising entry in the Silbatone catalog, offering many exciting possibilities that will surely appeal to the serious tube lovers among us.

Experience the best tubes have to offer with the NeoHyb advantage!

JI-107 Integrated Amplifier

The JI-107 Amplifier is entirely direct coupled, using an input transformer, a WE 310A triode voltage amplifier, and a unique I/V converter topology that sidesteps the soul-crushing issues usually encountered when trying to drive solid state output stages with vacuum tubes. The eliminations of coupling capacitors is achieved via sophisticated and stable servo level shifting methods that we perfected in earlier top-line designs. Basically, we reset the dialogue on high-power hybrid amplifiers by opening a completely new chapter in the history of the field.

The result of our efforts is big power with natural tube character. The JI-107 amplifier exhibits the grip and control of the best solid state amps yet it plays music with the heart of an artist. We anticipate that this genre-busting effort will convince even the most die-hard skeptic that there is promise in high-power hybrid approaches and open the door of Silbatone to a new category of high end audiophiles who prefer relatively power-thirsty modern loudspeakers. Big power without compromise, the Silbatone way!

Specification

. Output Power : 130W at 8Ω / 200W at 4Ω
. Frequency Response : 10Hz – 50KHz (±1dB)
, Input Impedance : 47KΩ
. Sensitivity : 2V
. Tube : WE310 x 2
. Dimension : 440(D) x 420(D) x 120(H)
. Weight : 23Kg