Coming to AXPONA 2025, from Songer Audio
- Thread starter songeraudio
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That looks a bit tasty Ken… nice tease! Subscribed.
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Oooh. That’s so pretty! Looking forward to seeing (and hearing!) you there.
Rich Pinto and I joined the audio industry around the same time in 2022, and have been great supporters of each other's work over the past several years. We were talking one day after he had debuted his 4-chassis A/Machines amplifier at AXPONA, and agreed it would be interesting to listen to the pairing of his electronics with my loudspeakers. At the Capital Audiofest last November, Rich was enjoying a chance to attend rather than exhibit, and we finally had an opportunity to make it happen.
I've had the pleasure of hearing my work paired with many reference level systems over the past several years - in my early years of development, and at shows, and in the homes of my clients. Not one of those systems can equal the synergy I experienced in the room that night. It was the first time I've ever sat in the listening chair before my own work, and been unable to find fault. There were no caveats. Nothing needed to be added. Nothing needed taking away. For me, it was something akin to perfection.
Rich, Radu Tarta and I began collaborating on a Songer Audio amplifier a few days after we returned from Rockville. This is the result of that wonderful collaboration.
The A3 is a 300B Single-Ended Triode design, tailored to compliment the performance of our loudspeakers. Drawing strong references from the design language of the speakers, the solid hardwood and brass detailed chassis are a perfect compliment to the cabinetry. The hand-polished, quarter-inch thick brass top plate is not just a striking visual statement. Weighing in at 36 pounds, it likewise provides an incredibly high-mass foundation for vibration-sensitive vacuum tubes.
The C3M tube at the core of the gain stage was originally created as a “no compromise” design by the German Post, for telephony use. It possesses better drive capability and specifications than tubes typically paired with a 300B. Combined with a large Finemet-core interstage transformer, the A3 has an input sensitivity of 1.6VRMS, allowing it to be connected directly to source components. That large interstage and an over-spec Finemet output transformer produces a very wide frequency response. Unique circuitry choices increase damping factor as well, allowing the A3 to exhibit excellent bass control in a single-ended design.
It features a stout power supply with excess capacity, and 5AR4 / GZ34 DC rectification. The CLCLC configuration of both film, oil and Mundorf HV+ capacitors smooths and cleans the high voltage power feeding the audio circuit. Due to the nature in which the tube heater circuit and audio circuit interact in the 300B, filament noise can be problematic. However in this design, regulated DC heater circuits minimize DHT filament noise, and ensure long tube lifespan.
We couldn't be more proud to offer the A3. It is the end of a long search, and the beginning of a new chapter. I invite you to experience it with us at AXPONA 2025, April 11th-13th at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, in room 1125.
I've had the pleasure of hearing my work paired with many reference level systems over the past several years - in my early years of development, and at shows, and in the homes of my clients. Not one of those systems can equal the synergy I experienced in the room that night. It was the first time I've ever sat in the listening chair before my own work, and been unable to find fault. There were no caveats. Nothing needed to be added. Nothing needed taking away. For me, it was something akin to perfection.
Rich, Radu Tarta and I began collaborating on a Songer Audio amplifier a few days after we returned from Rockville. This is the result of that wonderful collaboration.
The A3 is a 300B Single-Ended Triode design, tailored to compliment the performance of our loudspeakers. Drawing strong references from the design language of the speakers, the solid hardwood and brass detailed chassis are a perfect compliment to the cabinetry. The hand-polished, quarter-inch thick brass top plate is not just a striking visual statement. Weighing in at 36 pounds, it likewise provides an incredibly high-mass foundation for vibration-sensitive vacuum tubes.
The C3M tube at the core of the gain stage was originally created as a “no compromise” design by the German Post, for telephony use. It possesses better drive capability and specifications than tubes typically paired with a 300B. Combined with a large Finemet-core interstage transformer, the A3 has an input sensitivity of 1.6VRMS, allowing it to be connected directly to source components. That large interstage and an over-spec Finemet output transformer produces a very wide frequency response. Unique circuitry choices increase damping factor as well, allowing the A3 to exhibit excellent bass control in a single-ended design.
It features a stout power supply with excess capacity, and 5AR4 / GZ34 DC rectification. The CLCLC configuration of both film, oil and Mundorf HV+ capacitors smooths and cleans the high voltage power feeding the audio circuit. Due to the nature in which the tube heater circuit and audio circuit interact in the 300B, filament noise can be problematic. However in this design, regulated DC heater circuits minimize DHT filament noise, and ensure long tube lifespan.
We couldn't be more proud to offer the A3. It is the end of a long search, and the beginning of a new chapter. I invite you to experience it with us at AXPONA 2025, April 11th-13th at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, in room 1125.
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Before I met Ken, I was well aware of this work as he painstakingly documented his journey creating his field coil drivers. Despite the benefits possessed by field coils, the reality is there is not *that* much information out there compared to other audio technologies. Needless to say it was refreshing to see someone else out there passionate about the tech and creating emotive audio components, driven simply by the drive for “best sound.”
Fast-forward a bit and here we are with our fantastic collaborative effort! It builds upon the experience Radu and I have through the Treehaus Audiolab 300B family of amplifiers, with unique component choices and tuning specific to the A3 to extract superlative performance from Ken’s speakers.
The industrial design compliments the Songer speakers for a very cohesive look. The single-enclosure integrated design also speaks a bit to the Songer design ethos of refined simplicity. While the Treehaus motto is “Audio Mania, with lots of power supplies, separated components, etc., he A3 captures a lot of this performance distilled into a single piece of kit.
Im certainly excited for everyone to hear the A3 in Chicago!
Fast-forward a bit and here we are with our fantastic collaborative effort! It builds upon the experience Radu and I have through the Treehaus Audiolab 300B family of amplifiers, with unique component choices and tuning specific to the A3 to extract superlative performance from Ken’s speakers.
The industrial design compliments the Songer speakers for a very cohesive look. The single-enclosure integrated design also speaks a bit to the Songer design ethos of refined simplicity. While the Treehaus motto is “Audio Mania, with lots of power supplies, separated components, etc., he A3 captures a lot of this performance distilled into a single piece of kit.
Im certainly excited for everyone to hear the A3 in Chicago!
The Songer A3 amplifier has bumped off all other contenders at the top of my lengthy “next audio purchase” list! My extraordinary Songer S1x speakers NEED this amp to power them!!!
Cheers, Jeff! The amp is something truly special. We can't wait to build yours, in a beautiful matching Peruvian Walnut.
Looks beautiful! I will be looking forward to seeing and hearing it in the flesh at AXPONA 
Best wishes,
Don
Best wishes,
Don
That brass, with Peruvian Walnut, is going to be.. *chefskiss
I owned a pair of the S-1 speakers for about a year and a half now. Ken built me a pair out of American walnut and they are gorgeous! They are still my favorite speaker of all time. I have them paired with a Shindo 300b amp and they are nothing short of breathtaking.
This is the first time in my audio journey that I have felt completely content with a system. I haven’t had the urge to try something different or search for something missing. Of course, until this new amplifier has began stirring some wonder and awe…
I recently had a audio nerd friend over and he said these were the best sounding speaker that he has ever heard, and it was a transformative experience.
Ken is also a great person to deal with. He will bend over backwards to take care of you and he couldn’t be more fair. I can’t wait to get a chance to listen to the new amplifier.
This is the first time in my audio journey that I have felt completely content with a system. I haven’t had the urge to try something different or search for something missing. Of course, until this new amplifier has began stirring some wonder and awe…
I recently had a audio nerd friend over and he said these were the best sounding speaker that he has ever heard, and it was a transformative experience.
Ken is also a great person to deal with. He will bend over backwards to take care of you and he couldn’t be more fair. I can’t wait to get a chance to listen to the new amplifier.
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You're going to be blown away, my friend! When we return from AXPONA, let's get something on the calendar - I'll bring an A3 with me. Kimberly and I are long overdue to visit friends in Seattle, and spinning some tunes at your place would be a wonderful way to spend an evening. I'm so glad your S1x's continue to fill the house with music and happiness, that's what it's all about.
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I like this idea.. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what the A3 is capable of!
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If this sounds half as good as it looks, it’s going to be exceptional!
You won't be disappointed, Abe. It sounds as good as it looks. Is there any chance you'll be joining us for a listen in Chicago in a couple of weeks?
We spent much of this past week burning in the unit we're taking to the event, and of course, the sound keeps getting better and better as the tubes have more hours on them. We're using Stradi tubes this time, to great effect. Nice weighty bass extension, plenty of air, presence and detail on the top end, effortless 300B midrange... it's hard to walk away from it, it just pins you to the listening chair.
I'll be there all 4 days and am looking forward to checking this amp out!
I'm sorry if I missed it, but do you know what room you'll be exhibiting in and what the system will be comprised of?
Best wishes,
Don
I'm sorry if I missed it, but do you know what room you'll be exhibiting in and what the system will be comprised of?
Best wishes,
Don
We'll be looking forward to seeing you in room 1125, Don!
We're delighted to have a reference Lampizator DAC with us once again, from our good friends at @LampiNA. Streaming and network services are courtesy of Innuos, with a ZENith Next-Gen Streamer and Server and PhoenixNET Network Switch. PS Audio, a wonderful new partner for us, contributes a PowerPlant 12 AC Regenerator to feed sine-wave perfect regulated power to the entire system.
Lastly, we'll be pairing it all with our mighty S1x. I anticipate the finest sound we've ever had at an event.
Nicely done, Ken, as always! Your passion and commitment to your craft are always on display. It was good seeing you again at SWAF.
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