WhiteStone P331

Pre-order product: dispatch within 10 days after payment.

Digitally controlled Class A tube saturator

The Whitestone Audio P331 amplifier and its EVL version are designed to improve sound with all the color we love in transformers and tubes. The two machines are almost identical, with the difference that the EVL version works with more gain and therefore aggressiveness.

Differences between the original version (gray) and the EVL version (black)

Well, let's start with what's the same. Like the original P331, the EVL version uses digital controls for all analog commands. Left/right consistency is close to perfect. The fully differential solid-state output amplifier is unchanged. The "LIFT" circuit is also identical in both units. But, since the frequencies raised by the Lift circuit are affected by the harmonics generated by the "LOADING" section, then the "LIFT" part of the EVL will not sound exactly the same as the original P331.

The EVL's fully differential tube "LOADING" charge amplifier has a slightly different starting point. Although the "LOADING" control is functionally the same as the original P331 in that it controls the operating point of the 6SN7 tube, it is pushed much harder from the start. It's not like a guitar amp with distortion...it's still suitable for mastering. It's just a different, more aggressive feel than the original P331.

The XFORMER section is where the most differences occur. There is much more current at the EVL transformers... forcing them much more into saturation. The result is greater bass presence and punch, without becoming muffled or losing clarity.

Greg Calbi's opinion

"The only time I had a tube machine that didn't make the bottom messy"

“How many times have I tried a tube machine where I loved what it did on the vocals, but it made the kick too soft and killed the attack at the bottom”

Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQivqP0L-7s