The way time flies of late it feels like nearly a lifetime ago that I had the pleasure of living with the Treehaus Audiolab ‘Phantom of Luxury’ Field Coil Loudspeakers.
Treehaus proprietor Rich Pinto has been busy in the intervening months and I am happy to share news of his new single chassis “300B-1” 300B SET Amplifier.
The new Treehaus 300B-1 SET Amplifier is a transformer-coupled, Sukuma-inspired design that offers about 6 Watts of output power (@ 2.2% THD), more than enough for the right speakers.
The picturesque C3M mesh plate tubes are “at the core of the gain stage” and “drive the 300B through a Finemet interstage transformer; free of coupling capacitors. The 300B outputs through the same over-spec Finemet transformers we use on our other amplifiers.” according to Treehaus.
As you can see, the Treehaus aesthetic is apparent in every aspect of the 300B-1’s design, something I value highly. The 300B-1 joins the two chassis 300B-2 and the four chassis 300B-4 SET Amps in the Treehaus lineup that also includes open baffle field coil speakers, like the ‘Phantom of Luxury’, a preamplifer and Step Up transformer.
The new 300B-1 SET Amplifier is available directly from Treehaus Audio for $16,000 including vacuum tubes.
Here’s the press release from Treehaus:
Treehaus Audiolab Introduces the “300B-1” 300B SET Amplifier
Oct 17, 2024—We are excited to present the latest addition to our lineup of 300B SET amplifiers, the Treehaus Audiolab 300B-1. This amplifier builds off our experience with transformer-coupled and Sakuma-inspired SET designs in a compact, one enclosure design. Superlative audio performance in a more accessible footprint.
The venerable C3M tubes function at the core of the gain stage. This tube was created as a “no compromise” design by the German Post for telephony use. With more drive capability and better specifications than the typical tubes paired with 300Bs, it is a fantastic sonic companion. The beautiful mesh plates are simply icing on the cake for this wonderful tube. The C3M drives the 300B through a Finemet interstage transformer; free of coupling capacitors. The 300B outputs through the same over-spec Finemet transformers we use on our other amplifiers.
Despite the compact footprint, the power supply section is robust. 5AR4/ GZ34 provides DC rectification. The CLCLC configuration, utilizing both film and Mundorf HV+ capacitors, smooths and cleans high voltage power. Regulated DC heater circuits minimize filament noise and ensure long tube lifespan.
The result is sound that captures the magic and sonic bliss of the 300B, without the excess bloat, bloom and noise that accompany typical “period-correct” topologies.
The 300B-1 completes our selection of 300B SET amplifiers. Treehaus Audiolab also offers the 300B-2, possessing a separate signal enclosure and power enclosure, and the 300B-4, our ultimate monoblock configuration. Further customer choice can be found in two unique design languages for our electronics: “Kinsuido” is influenced by 1970’s Japanese Hi-Fi and MCM aesthetics, and the “A/Machines” visually pays respects to early Western Electric and Klangfilm equipment.
The 300B-1 is priced at $16,000 including vacuum tubes.
About Treehaus Audiolab
Audio Mania, the pursuit of best sound, is our design ethos. We find inspiration in technology from the golden ages of audio around the world, and reimagine it for the 21st century listener. Treehaus Audiolab was founded in 2017 in Connecticut.
Company Website: Treehaus Audio
Specifications
One Enclosure Design
C3M interstage driving 300B
EL Power Transformer and Chokes CLCLC
5AR4/ GZ34 Rectification
Finemet Interstage (small) and Output Transformers
Regulated DC filament supplies
Mundorf HV+ Power Capacitors
Input Sensitivity: 6W @2.8VRMS
THD: 2.2% @6W
S/N: 95dB @6W
Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz +/-0.5d
