The 211M

The Quick Specs :

Class A (A1) Operation / Auto-Bias
11W Per Channel
10” Wide x 20” Long / Mono Blocks Configuration
Hashimoto Output Transformer
Hashimoto Choke Transformer
Triode Lab - Hashimoto 211 Proprietary Custom Make Power Transformer
6922 Input / Buffer
CV181 / 6SN7 Driver

The Front End Design :

Both front end tubes is our favourite choices of all , its guaranteed for the most seductive "modern / hifi” sound evolved for today’s music and high resolution recordings (we don’t make our amps like others - which replay the sound of the past). The unrestrained highs will not be rolled off and blurred it’s definition , and it will not run out of bass and its layers with clarity missing. Which are important criteria to the realism of the audio art -Triodeism. Our philosophy isn’t just playback audio with tubes. But evolve the circuit and sound to today’s modern HIFI standard, which is much wider band / lower distortion / quiet and reliable - it’s the minimal qualifications to be “high-fidelity”. For example , when a violin playback sounds like a viola - it’s not a pass then, or early distortion / clipping.

The Power Supply :

The focus will be the power supply stages to handle the 1000V+ operations (Most of the 211 type amps failed here, from our experience in OEM design and service / consultation over the last few decades), it has to be over engineered to live up to our name, superb quiet operations and industry known reliability records. Take a example with our custom spec power transformers that we make it with our long term partner at Hashimoto Electric from Japan, the tap for feeding the 211 tube is double over-esized than one 211 tube will needed - we don’t just make to the minimum or safe, in order to have the best durability and stability - we go miles further. The multiple-large caps arrangement are also oversized for years and decades of use.

The Technical Gallery :

The simple layout of the exterior might not tell you how serious the engineering of the 211M is - some ask how we going to make a stereo version of it? we can’t - because it’s very stuffed inside. And one less part wouldn’t be the same good anymore. All these are just for making one channel.

The dedicated individual power supply for feeding the 211. This is how much parts we needed to tandem them up to create a accurate , safe , durable , consistent and a precision operation for the big 211. The voltage is further regulated for perfection. And it gets REAL HOT. Those heat sinks are not for show!

Dual-Tandem the Rubycon ECAPS. A pair of them is already enough and most manufacturer would do to save cost. But here - for not much more, we felt alot safer and durable. Now the its more than doubling better!

The whole front end we do it the old-fashion point-to-point way. Our typical 3D quality hand construction.

Our favourite preamp tube - CV181 / 6SN7.

We voiced our 211M with our reference coupling cap - the Mundorf (Germany) Supreme Silver Oil Caps.

This is one serious important part of our power supply. This is the bias stage. An over-sized high quality Ohmite wire-wound resistor is in duty.

Some who have sharper eyes will see an extra choke inside the amplifier - because in order to extract the best out of the 211 (think expensive coffee machines and grinders) - a quiet front end is required. This additional choke transformer is to supply the most quiet voltage to the front end tubes. But because of that - make sure your tubes are good and free of microphonic!

The Sound :

Silky smooth and pure is our first thought of this design - a rare description for such type of large tube.

Imagine you have the overall balance and tube seductiveness of the 45 triode tube sound signature. But now you also have the feeling of sharpness and fast response of the 2A3 SET that makes it so realistic sounding, further more, the 211M also drive and rock like the 2A3 PSET power and handling!

Most 211 on the market are working in Class A2 for more power - typically 15W and above. Which required more circuits, parts and also material changes and phase shifts. It adds more sound change to the over sound (not what we are after - we’ve designed quite numerous of 211/845 designs for our OEM customers in the past), and thus some say that is actually less Class A because its less pure. So unlike the mainstream of going power and boldness - we want to show the world how delicate / refine the 211 can sound. Its the magic between our design along with Hashimoto transformers voicing.

The Parts Selection :

Every single bit of parts we used are well thought onto the 211M. All are brand name that we have been used for the last few decades with proven track of reliability and durability. We acknowledge lately there are lots of interested new names of HIFI parts - but reliability is an big issue we learn fast from our electronic service company. And will they be still in production is what we concern in the coming years. Therefore, we are more happy to continue our partnership with the good old brands that has been around for many decades - most of them have been existed more than half a century, and brands like the Hashimoto (Japan) and Hammonds (Canada), are closer to a century of non stop production establishment in HiFi / Audio parts.

Also, when we select our parts, we avoid using those that will change the sound too much, too much to become lean or override the sound we intended to show the audience. Then you are not listening to our design. You are also not listening to the finest / true tone and signature of the 211. You are listening to the alternated sound made up of those “exotic parts”, which FYI doesn’t improve the measurement at all, or might not improve the sound as well (very subjective). Our 211 customers are the elite / experienced bunch of audiophile experts , which seek for both sound and performance and understand the importance.

MSRP :

211-M : $36,000 USD / Pair

211-M RS : $48,000 USD / Pair : Hashimoto 40W Sized Custom OPT x Dual Small Hashimoto Choke Transformers X Front End on PCB

211-M RSR : $65,000 USD / Pair : 50W Grade NOS TAMURA or TANGO NOS Flagship 211 Output Transformers (Even 30 years ago - the production was very small and very rare). Limted 2 Pairs Only. The 211-M RSR is only constructed on pure copper chassis. Dimension and length of amp will also be longer/heavier.

TRIODE LAB