Black Pearl XL - SE

The Black Pearl XL Special Edition is our flagship 300B amplifier, exemplifying authentic 300B Directly Heated Triode (DHT) Single-Ended Triode (SET) sound. It delivers audio true to the source, moving beyond the midrange-centric, warm euphonic signature of 1960s HiFi, and harkens back to Western Electric's emphasis on spatial cues and tone.

The Black Pearl XL SE includes the new Filament regulation. 

Building upon the foundation of the original Black Pearl, the Black Pearl XL pushes performance targets even further. We have integrated our proprietary, custom-wound output transformers, designed to resist saturation and provide a minimum frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz.  These transformers are bench-tested to ensure ultra-wide frequency response and rock-steady RMS, resulting in a non-fatiguing sound that captures the full soundstage.

The integration of these robust output transformers necessitated an increase in chassis size to accommodate their larger cores. Additionally, we've upgraded the chassis plate thickness to 11-gauge steel for enhanced isolation and structural rigidity. Our redesigned power transformers feature a 5V filament winding positioned closer to the core, reducing vibration and unwanted resonance, thereby minimizing mechanical noise. The Black Pearl XL now utilizes our Gen 6 power supply, offering an even lower noise floor.

Much like its namesake, the Black Pearl is crafted from legendary components, notably the Western Electric 300B tube—renowned for its low distortion, clarity, and purity of tone. In the right amplifier, the 300B is fast, dynamic, and tight, qualities often associated with more complex pentode topologies.

The Black Pearl XL's unassuming exterior conceals its sophisticated design. It is a true dual-mono amplifier built on a single chassis, featuring separate power supplies, power transformers, output transformers, and turret boards. This configuration delivers monoblock performance with the convenience of a single chassis.

The 300B tube is celebrated for its lifelike vocal representation, clarity, and spatial qualities. The Black Pearl XL incorporates this tube in a circuit rooted in designs by Western Electric and refined by RCA, updated with a modern 5751 input stage tube. This streamlined circuit allows the inherent sound of the 300B to take center stage, delivering fast, detailed, and pure audio.

Our skilled team assembles each unit entirely by hand, adhering to classic techniques to ensure longevity. The amplifier features a massive tube-rectified dual-mono power supply, ensuring tight bass and impactful dynamics. With a single gain stage, zero feedback, and meticulous grounding techniques, the Black Pearl XL offers a deep connection to your music and an exceptionally low noise floor, measuring a distortion figure of less than 0.5% @ 1watt.

The inclusion of filament regulation via C, L, C, R, C filtering has resulted in a 25% reduction to the SINAD (ambient noise floor). This improvement came about with the development of custom filament chokes bringing the total number of transformers to 12 inside the Red October/Red October XL and adding 3lbs. The overarching goal is successive improvement.

Purchasing an ampsandsound amplifier is an intentional choice to support a company that believes in proven circuits, meticulous craftsmanship, and the use of custom-wound transformers. We take pride in our transparent approach, showcasing our work without secrets. Our transformers represent sophisticated design, with each transformer's intellectual property developed and owned by ampsandsound. We understand how these specifications impact sound, allowing us to optimize the amplifier from transformer to circuit.

When connecting your components to the Black Pearl XL, you have two options: a pair of high-quality single-ended RCA inputs and a pair of XLR inputs. The XLR inputs utilize an input transformer to convert the incoming balanced signal to a single-ended signal, retaining the benefits of balanced cabling while providing improved bass and a quieter background.

The Black Pearl XL is everything we envisioned it to be—a marvel to behold, and we are proud to call it our flagship SET amplifier.

Specifications:

• Input Sensitivity: With 5751 input @ 2V P-P
• Noise: @ 8ohm 480µV RMS prior to Filament regulation to 360µV RMS
• Max Power: @ 8ohm 8 watts RMS
• Bandwidth: 10Hz to 24kHz @ 1 watt -2dB
• Finish: Black texture base with silver texture cover. Additional colors available as a special order; please contact us for details.

Power and Noise specs are dependent on tube selection.

Actual size is 13”deep, 19” wide and 10”tall. (102lbs)

Amp weighs in at 102lbs/ 126lbs shipped in a large Pelican style case.

Black base/Back cover/ Black cage with Black Mesh, please look at Red October for color choices. 

Additional colors are possible as a special order... please call or email for details.

Our amps are hand-made by a small team with quality being our priority.

Additional colors are possible as a special order... please call or email or for details.

All ampsandsound amplifiers are handmade in Southern California with custom hand-wound output transformers and U.S.-sourced parts. Our amps are crafted by a small team with quality as our foremost priority.