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I'm considering the purchase of a demo SET integrated, the Mastersound 300B SE.
So far my net research suggests that Mastersound, an Italian tube amp designer actually manufactured the VAIC 300B SE integrated. And at some time later Mastersound began producing the identical amp in a similar chassis under their own name.
Its been further suggested that Mastersound and Ayon were involved in a design and build process at some point before Ayon went out on its own.
Does anyone have any definitive information on the quality of the Mastersound product? I understand they're best known for building superb transformers.
The '08 Stereophile review of the Mastersound 300B SE was rather glowing. I've got single driver speakers so a low watt SET integ would meet my needs.
Thanks to all in advance.
Follow Ups:
Did you get it? if so, what dii/do you think?
My understanding is that VAIC and earlier Ayon products were made by MasterSound. That doesn't mean the designs were Mastersound but the build is from them (not a bad thing necessarily as Mastersound stuff looks very nice!). The actual Mastersound products are using "normal" tubes; 300B, 845 and such, whereas the Ayon and Vaic amps were designed around their proprietary tubes; 52B, 300B-S, 32B-S etc. so there is not a direct 1:1 comparability.
Ayon now has it's own factory in China so they no longer use a European contractor to build the amps.
You could do a lot worse than the Mastersound. They are lively amps that sound more powerful than they are. Build is beautiful also.
They did build the early prototype amps for Vaic. But primarily only supplied the transformers later on.
I'm not 100% sure of the Ayon connection, but I believe that was only as a transformer supplier as well.
Dan Santoni
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