The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier Ii: A Tube Odyssey

what tubes sophia electric baby amplifier ii

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a small, 5-watt tube amplifier with a powerful sound. It has a frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB and uses a Class A, push-pull circuit with output tubes wired in pentode mode. The Baby Amplifier II delivers exceptional sound quality with strong, deep bass and clean, crisp highs. It is known for its audiophile sonic performance and superior reliability. The amplifier can be used with a variety of speakers and headphones, and its tubes are not interchangeable with other models due to electrical differences. The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a popular choice for music lovers and audiophiles alike, with many praising its sound quality and performance.

Characteristics Values
Size 18cm wide, 23cm deep, and 13cm high (7in x 9in x 5in)
Weight 7kg (15 lbs)
Wattage 5-watt
Frequency response 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB (12Hz to 45KHz at ±0 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio -95dB
Output tubes Russian military 6P1T pentodes
Input/phase splitter tubes American-made, NOS 5670, medium mu, 9-pin miniature dual triodes
Optional Headphone amplifier function
Headphone amplifier price $399.99

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The Baby Amplifier II has an optional headphone amplifier function

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a compact yet powerful device, delivering 5 watts per channel of exceptional sound with a frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB. It offers a unique option for audio enthusiasts seeking a blend of performance and portability.

The Baby Amplifier II builds on the legacy of its predecessor, the original Baby Amplifier, which established Sophia Electric as a leading brand for audiophile-grade sonic performance and reliability. The Baby Amplifier II takes this commitment to audio excellence a step further by offering an optional headphone amplifier function.

This optional feature transforms the Baby Amplifier II into a versatile listening machine. For an additional $399.99, the headphone amplifier function can be custom-ordered, opening up a world of enhanced sonic performance for headphone enthusiasts. This additional amplifier is specifically designed for driving high-impedance headphones, such as the HD600, HD650, and Hifiman HE600, as well as low-impedance models like the Grado 125, Philips 9500, and Sony headphones.

The Baby Amplifier II's headphone amplifier function delivers a superior listening experience. Its transformer output ensures a significant upgrade in sound quality compared to entry-level headphone amplifiers without such outputs. This results in a lush and magical auditory experience, with exceptional bandwidth, resolution, and dynamics. Whether enjoying music at home or in the office, the Baby Amplifier II with the optional headphone amplifier function promises to elevate your audio experience to new heights.

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The amplifier delivers 5 watts per channel

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a compact and powerful device, delivering an impressive 5 watts per channel. This amplifier packs a punch with its exceptional sound quality and dynamics. With a rated frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB, the Baby Amplifier II offers clarity and strength across the entire audible range. Its bass response is strong and deep, and the highs are clean and crisp, without any harshness or distortion.

The Baby Amplifier II is a single-ended triode tube amplifier, often referred to as a "SET amp". It is designed to deliver a glorious, lush, and magical sound that surpasses the performance of typical 2A3 single-ended amplifiers. The amplifier's exceptional bandwidth, resolution, and dynamics make it a standout performer in its class.

One of the key advantages of the Baby Amplifier II is its ability to drive speakers efficiently. It can easily power Sophia Electric Model One (88 dB) and Model Two (88 dB) speakers, making it perfect for home or office use. The amplifier also has an optional headphone amplifier function, which can be custom-ordered for an additional cost. This feature is designed for high-impedance headphones like the HD600, HD650, and Hifiman HE600, as well as low-impedance models such as the Grado 125 and Philips 9500.

The compact size of the Baby Amplifier II is worth noting, measuring just 18cm wide, 23cm deep, and 13cm high, and weighing approximately 7kg. Despite its small form factor, the amplifier delivers a sound that rivals larger and more powerful amplifiers. The construction and design of the Baby Amplifier II are also impressive, featuring a curvaceous stainless steel accent surrounding the tubes and a gold-plated volume knob.

The Baby Amplifier II uses input tubes of type 6J1 and output tubes of type 6P1T. These tubes are not interchangeable with other types due to electrical differences, but they provide exceptional sound quality and contribute to the amplifier's overall performance. The output transformers are also worth mentioning, as they play a crucial role in delivering the amplifier's well-controlled bass response and overall musicality.

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It has a frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a compact amplifier, measuring 18cm by 23cm by 13cm and weighing around 7kg. Despite its small size, it delivers a powerful sound, with a frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB. This means that the amplifier can reproduce a wide range of frequencies, from deep bass tones to high-frequency sounds like bells and chimes, with exceptional clarity and strength.

The frequency response of an audio device, such as an amplifier, refers to the range of frequencies it can reproduce. In the case of the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II, the frequency response is specified as 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB. This indicates that the amplifier can accurately reproduce frequencies from 6Hz up to 80,000Hz (80KHz), with a tolerance of ±3dB.

The frequency response range of 6Hz to 80KHz is quite impressive for an amplifier of this size. It means that the Baby Amplifier II can reproduce a wide range of audio frequencies, from very low bass frequencies up to very high frequencies. This allows for a rich and detailed sound reproduction, ensuring that music and other audio content can be enjoyed with high fidelity.

The ±3dB tolerance indicates that the amplifier's output level may vary by up to ±3dB across the specified frequency range. In other words, at any given frequency within the 6Hz to 80KHz range, the amplifier's output level may be up to 3dB higher or lower than the input level. This variation is typically not noticeable to the human ear and is considered acceptable for high-quality audio reproduction.

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II achieves its impressive frequency response through a Class A, push-pull circuit design, utilising output tubes wired in pentode mode and minimal global negative feedback. The output tubes are Russian military 6P1T pentodes, which are known for their robust construction and low noise. The input/phase splitter tubes, on the other hand, are American-made NOS 5670 medium mu, 9-pin miniature dual triodes.

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The tubes are Russian military 6P1T pentodes

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a compact amplifier, measuring 18cm wide, 23cm deep, and 13cm high, and weighing about 7kg. It delivers a strong, deep bass and clean, crisp highs with no trace of harshness. The Baby Amplifier II has a rated frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB and a signal-to-noise ratio of -95dB.

The tubes used in the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II are Russian military 6P1T pentodes. These tubes are known for their robust construction and are treated by Sophia for low noise. While the 6P1T tubes resemble the EL84 family of tubes in terms of dimensions and appearance, they are not interchangeable due to significant electrical differences. The 6P1T is a type of electron tube used for broadband power amplification and is known for its high reliability and long service life.

The Russian military 6P1T pentodes are part of a family of "rod-shaped tubes" developed in the USSR by V. N. Avdeev in 1950. These tubes represented a significant design change from the traditional electronic amplifying triodes. Rod-shaped tubes were used in military and aerospace applications, including the Sputnik mission and early human and animal test flights in space. They feature a unique construction with a filamentary cathode and electrode connections, creating two electron beams focused on two separate anodes.

The 6P1T tubes in the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II are output tubes wired in pentode mode, contributing to the amplifier's impressive frequency response and sound quality. These tubes are an essential component of the amplifier's design, delivering a powerful and clear audio experience.

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The input/phase splitter tubes are American-made NOS 5670

The Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is a compact amplifier, measuring 18cm by 23cm by 13cm and weighing approximately 7kg. Despite its small size, it delivers a powerful sound, with a rated frequency response of 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB. It features a pair of input/phase splitter tubes, which are American-made NOS 5670 medium mu, 9-pin miniature dual triodes. These tubes are known for their excellent soundstage and rugged construction.

NOS 5670 tubes were originally manufactured by GE (General Electric) in the 1950s and are now sought-after for their audio performance. The "NOS" in NOS 5670 stands for "New Old Stock", indicating that these tubes are unused vintage inventory. GE 5670 tubes feature triple mica black plates and were produced in both the 1950s and 1960s. They are often advertised for their compatibility with specific audio equipment, such as compressors and limiters.

The 5670 tube design has been replicated and mass-produced by the Soviets and Chinese under the designation 6N3P. However, the original American-made 5670 tubes remain highly regarded for their audio performance and are sought-after by audio enthusiasts. The brand of the 5670 tubes used in the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II is unknown, as there were no markings on the tubes.

The input/phase splitter tubes in the Sophia Electric Baby Amplifier II are an integral part of the amplifier's design. They are located near the front of the chassis, with the power tubes set in a shallow arc just behind them. The tubes are surrounded by a brushed stainless steel sheet metal accent that bends over the front of the chassis, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the amplifier. The amplifier's chassis and printed circuit board have been outsourced to keep production costs down, but the final assembly and voicing are handled by Sophia Electric to ensure sound quality.

Frequently asked questions

The Baby Amplifier II delivers 5 watts per channel of "glorious, lush, magical sound" with a strong, deep bass and clean, crisp highs. It has a beautiful mid-range, 3D image, great soundstage, and very well-controlled bass.

The input tubes are 6J1 (x2), and the output tubes are 6P1T (x2). The 6P1T tubes are Russian military pentodes, which are similar in appearance to the EL84 family of tubes but are not interchangeable due to electrical differences.

The Baby Amplifier II is quite small, measuring 18cm wide, 23cm deep, and 13cm high, and weighing about 7kg.

The rated frequency response is 6Hz to 80KHz at ±3dB, delivering exceptional bandwidth, resolution, and dynamics.

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