petrat
12-06-2017, 07:41
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/magazine/equipment/0614/sophia_electric_magic_126s_03.htm
http://hometheaterreview.com/sophia-electric-magic-126s-03-amplifier-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
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0614/sophia_electric_magic_126s_03.htm
http://hometheaterreview.com/sophia-electric-magic-126s-03-amplifier-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