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Experience the Excitement of
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Western Electric |
Western Electric
Model 1086 |
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Western Electric Model 46 Amplifier |
The technology and performance of Golden-Age theater systems have inspired generations of listeners, collectors, and audio designers over the years. Today, it is common to read of triode amplifiers and horn loudspeakers in the audio press. We agree that much of this modern tube equipment can represent progress over the high-powered amplifiers and inefficient speakers of the 80s and 90s. However, not all tube gear and sensitive speakers offer top performance. System matching from available components and speakers can be a challenge. The system-level engineering approach is not part of most hobbyist audio thinking, leaving the problems of matching individual components to the consumer. Part of what made the Western Electric and Klangfilm theater systems great was systems engineering. Speakers and amplifiers were designed in tandem, with particular goals in mind. Our objectives today are different and more stringent than for pre-war cinema sound but careful system design is still critical. Our Reference 300 Amplifier and Aporia Horn Unit were designed as a pair but what makes them play well together allows them to be flexible tools in creating systems that mazimize your options in partnering equipment. |
SYSTEM FLEXIBILITY
The excitement that classic triode amplifiers and high efficiency loudspeaker technology can provide is elusive, requiring a systematic and thoughtful approach, but it is well worth the effort. Silbatone is engineered with system matching in mind to help make this job easier.
Much of our design work is focused on challenges of practical system building, ergonomics, and flexibility. Our SE triode amplifiers are engineered to work with modern speakers beyond the capabilities of most competitive products. You won’t need a horn loudspeaker to enjoy our single 300B, even though we are horn specialists.
We developed the Aporia full-range horn unit as a proof of concept for an uncompromised modern realization of this great approach. However, our horn is a moderate sensitivity unit, excellent for use with medium-high powered tube amplifiers as well as our eight watt single 300B amp. We hope to demonstrate the promise of this uncompromised approach to a wider audience, beyond triode listeners.
he custom German Manger driver we selected as the platform for the Aporia Horn Unit is extremely well behaved with most popular types of amplifiers. We find that many speakers trying to maximize efficiency at all costs suffer from unmusical sound and can be unusable with some modern amplifiers. |
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Of course, the advantages of a crossover-free single-driver approach are appealing, but usually serious bandwidth compromises must be made. The Aporia is an extremely wide range speaker, taking the full range concept to a new performance level. Conventional multi-driver horn systems would require a 3 way implementation to achieve the same frequency range as our single driver full range design. Also, many systems are not horn loaded in the LF range where great advantages of the horn can be felt. The Aporia Horn Unit is in a class apart from other pro and audiophile horn systems for uncompromising design and sound. |
Our Aporia horn unit features a custom Manger flat cone driver. Moderate sensitivity allows for lower system noise and wider system matching possibilities than provided by super efficient horns.
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Inspiration of the classics with modern enhancements
Some core approaches that are central to the Silbatone philosophy are
dedication to triode amplification and the use of the finest parts,
especially the use of silver conductors for the detail and immediacy
that careful use of this material can bring to musical reproduction.
We believe that the best path to value does not involve cheap
solutions in the manufacturing department.
Silbatone combines the best of the old and the new, without being slaves to the past or followers of contemporary fashion. Modern engineering and materials and an uncompromising vision are at the heart of Silbatone's new audio classics.
Many critical parts are specially designed and built for our products. We researched audio transformers using pure silver foil, which led to our exclusive “semi-silver” process, layering silver on copper for superior mechanical and electrical properties, while maintaining the sonic benefits of silver foil. Our in-house designed Silbatone semi-silver foil output transformers use an optimized premium nickel core and pure silver litz lead wires for the highest performance.
In 2001, Silbatone created the world’s first fully battery operated tube preamp and stereo 300B amplifier. We believe that use of our special state-of-the-art power supplies can provide the purity and low-noise of battery-operation with maintenance-free enjoyment and greater dynamic range than batteries can provide.
All Silbatone electronics are designed with extreme high-efficiency, full-range loudspeaker systems in mind, so vanishing low noise is a major concern. Old fashioned tube power supplies can sound pleasant but far better performance can be obtained through purposeful engineering.
An additional practical benefit of advanced power supply technology and our efficient high bandwidth transformer design is that Silbatone amplifiers can drive many modern speakers that leave orthodox single triode 300B amps behind the power curve. Many happy owners of Silbatone 300B amplifiers choose contemporary speaker designs such as B&W and Wilson Watt/Puppy. Not every 300B amplifier can rise to this task but Silbatone invites you to listen for yourself!
We feel that horns can provide the most exciting and involving listening, but most horns on the market are severely compromised realizations or recycled 1950s DIY projects. Our Aporia Horn Unit is presented as a moderate efficiency design in order to work as well with medium power push-pull amplifiers as it does with low-power single triode amplifiers. The problems of crossovers and matching horn midrange to direct radiator LF drivers are avoided with a true full range horn.
At Silbatone Acoustics, we love the traditions of vacuum tube audio and we are proud to contribute to modern development of the art.
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Western Electric Model 91 Amplifier |
Silbatone Reference 300 Amplifier |
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