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Thread: Sophia Electric 126S-03 integrated valve amplifier

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

    Default Sophia Electric 126S-03 integrated valve amplifier

    Perhaps not well-known in the UK, this US-built amp is a real gem imo. Sophia Electric are probably best known for their triode valves and 300b amplifiers, and the 126 is their (successful!) attempt to bring the best of that 'sound' to a more powerful amplifier, capable of driving most speakers.

    http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...ic_126s_03.htm
    http://hometheaterreview.com/sophia-...fier-reviewed/
    http://www.sophiaelectric.com/pages/amp/magic126.htm

    The amplifier has recently been fully serviced at AmpRegen, where, amongst other things, a 'bucking' transformer was added to ensure all voltages are in spec when used with UK typical mains supply. Communication with Sophia Electric established that this example is an early production model, and was fitted with switches for both Triode and Pentode mode operation, something not on the current production version, apparently. Both work well, but the bench tests showed that the design has lower distortion in Triode mode, easily giving 14 Watts of very clean output ... a conclusion I'd already come to through listening, preferring the extra subtlety of the Triode mode. Please note that this amp has 8 Ohm outputs only. The bench tests also showed it has very low residual noise for a valve amp, so can also be used with high sensitivity speakers, with no intrusive 'hum' audible through the speakers.


    Very happy to demonstrate this (I am near junction of M1 and M6) ... bring along your speakers and source ... or will travel to you if you are within an hour of me.

    Been hanging onto it for a while now, as I love the way it presents music, but I now need to sell to fund upgrades elsewhere. New, these are $5000, and this one owes me around £1800. For sale at £1250.

    PHOTOS IN POST 13
    Last edited by petrat; 11-07-2017 at 10:58. Reason: photos stolen by photobucket

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Original photo stolen by photobucket, see posts 13 and 14
    Last edited by petrat; 11-07-2017 at 11:13. Reason: Pixture gorn

  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by petrat View Post
    Whoops ... this is of course, an integrated amplifier
    Could a kind moderator please modify the title accordingly? Thanks!
    Done that Peter. Lovely amplifier!
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    I have the original packaging for this, so can ship if necessary ... prefer to meet up, though, to avoid the potential for courier-damage.

    PHOTOS IN POSTS 13 AND 14
    Last edited by petrat; 11-07-2017 at 10:59. Reason: photos stolen by photobucket

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

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    Another pic. Was using this for a while with Harbeth P3ESRs, which was a lovely combination. Also heard it with Snell and Audio Note speakers, which were excellent, too. Open to offers ... pm me with any questions.

    PHOTOS IN POSTS 13 AND 14
    Last edited by petrat; 11-07-2017 at 11:00. Reason: photos stolen by photobucket

  6. #6
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    Oooh! lovely Amp!!
    Peter sure knows his Amps, always has top notch quality equipment..
    Bloody nice chap to deal with too.

    This won't hang around for long..
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

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    Thanks, Adam.

    As posted above ... offers considered, just PM me.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: North Hill, Cornwall

    Posts: 230
    I'm ROGER.

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    Have a bump on me, these are fabulous amps, superb build quality & sublime sound, a true bargain...

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Going away on holiday tomorrow, to a remote place with no internet. Back on the 8th, when I'll answer any PMs.

  10. #10
    montesquieu Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by petrat View Post
    Going away on holiday tomorrow, to a remote place with no internet. Back on the 8th, when I'll answer any PMs.
    Lucky you!

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