English Acoustics Stereo 21c stereo power amplifier

The Stereo 20 covered its tracks well; it took a lot of listening to begin to hear that slightly rolled-off top-end, especially when playing with the equipment and recordings of the time. However, with brighter metal dome tweeters, that top-end never quite sounded fully extended into the ‘Piccolo Symphony for Dogs’ level. Fortunately, whether it’s the latest grade of components or 60+ years of transformer development in the driving seat, the Stereo 21c sounds far comfier and soaring in the upper registers. I’d still argue the Stereo 20/21c is not best matched to metal dome tweeters, in the same way, this is not meant to be partnered with low-sensitivity loudspeakers with an impedance plot like a map of the Himalayas.

Play to its strengths, though, and this warm, enticing sounding and (here it comes again) beautiful sounding amplifier sings sweeter than almost anything made today. While this is a high-precision, high-fidelity (in the old-school sense) amplifier, it’s not the kind of soulless beast designed to reproduce test tones. It’s a musical instrument from the classic era of the best in British audio, brought right up to date. English Acoustics is more than simply a recreator of audio antiques; the company has a Stereo 41c and an all-valve preamp waiting in the wings.  Further down the line, English Acoustics will have a range of monoblocks and other stereo amplifiers that break away from the 21c look. But with the Stereo 21c, English Acoustics took a classic and made it their own, and in the process helped remind us what good hi-fi is all about!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: stereo valve power amplifier
• Power output: 14W/channel ultra linear
• Valve complement: 3× ECC83, 4× EL84, 1× GZ34
• THD+N: Less than 0.1%
• SNR: Better than 90dB reference 1W
• Frequency response: +/-1dB 13Hz–35KHz (full power bandwidth)
• Finish: CAD designed steel chassis with laser cut details. Transformer endcaps CNC machined from billet aluminium. Automotive-grade metallic paint finish available in large range of colours.
• Valve sockets: Ceramic, gold-plated
• Fixings: Custom English manufactured
• Wiring: Point to point hand-wired valve sockets with lead free silver solder
• Transformers: hand wound transformers locally in Wiltshire, England
• Protection: Thermal, vibration and tilt safety cut out
• Power Inlet filter: Medical grade
• Remote power on: available as an option
• Display: Digital LCD hour meter
• Finish: various
• Price: from £5,000

Manufacturer: English Acoustics

URL: englishacoustics.co.uk

Tel: +44(0)1249 736180

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