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Power amplifiers stereo — Ampsandsound Stereo 17
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Ampsandsound Stereo 17
Image source - (c) Ampsandsound
The Stereo 17 is a valve stereo power amplifier from ampsandsound, the company founded by Justin Weber in Aliso Viejo, California. It was introduced at AXPONA 2026 in Chicago together with the Kenzie Reimagined headphone amplifier and the Badlands preamplifier, at a price of USD 6,000.
Key specs that matter
Rated output is 2 x 17 W in ultralinear mode, delivered by a push-pull pair of EL84 pentodes in each channel. The circuit follows the Halfer design and uses cathode bias. The input stage uses a 12AX7, and the phase inverter is a 12AU7. Input impedance is 500 kohm. Speaker taps are provided for 4 and 8 ohms, with an optional 8 and 16 ohm combination. Its chassis is built from 11-gauge steel plate, and the amplifier weighs about 17.7 kg. ampsandsound recommends speakers with a sensitivity above 92 dB in small to moderate-sized systems.
Engineering and use context
In ultralinear operation the screen grid of each EL84 is connected to a tap on the output transformer. The 12AU7 splits the signal into the two opposite-phase halves that the push-pull output stage requires, while the 12AX7 supplies the voltage gain. With its very high input impedance the amplifier accepts any source or line stage, valve line stages with high output impedance among them.
ampsandsound builds its amplifiers by hand in the United States and buys most components from domestic suppliers, among them the top plates, chassis, transformers and circuit boards. The company avoids integrated circuits and silicon voltage regulators, using capacitors, resistors and diodes instead, so that its amplifiers can still be serviced 15 to 20 years later. Hand-finished solid wood is part of its styling. Weber has also introduced the DAC 4.4, an R-2R converter.
Pairing
The Stereo 17 is meant for efficient loudspeakers in small and medium rooms. Its matching partner is the Badlands, a tube-rectified line preamplifier launched at the same show.
Alternatives
The ampsandsound Stereo ST15 Special Edition is an earlier, compact valve stereo amplifier by this company.
Key specs that matter
Rated output is 2 x 17 W in ultralinear mode, delivered by a push-pull pair of EL84 pentodes in each channel. The circuit follows the Halfer design and uses cathode bias. The input stage uses a 12AX7, and the phase inverter is a 12AU7. Input impedance is 500 kohm. Speaker taps are provided for 4 and 8 ohms, with an optional 8 and 16 ohm combination. Its chassis is built from 11-gauge steel plate, and the amplifier weighs about 17.7 kg. ampsandsound recommends speakers with a sensitivity above 92 dB in small to moderate-sized systems.
Engineering and use context
In ultralinear operation the screen grid of each EL84 is connected to a tap on the output transformer. The 12AU7 splits the signal into the two opposite-phase halves that the push-pull output stage requires, while the 12AX7 supplies the voltage gain. With its very high input impedance the amplifier accepts any source or line stage, valve line stages with high output impedance among them.
ampsandsound builds its amplifiers by hand in the United States and buys most components from domestic suppliers, among them the top plates, chassis, transformers and circuit boards. The company avoids integrated circuits and silicon voltage regulators, using capacitors, resistors and diodes instead, so that its amplifiers can still be serviced 15 to 20 years later. Hand-finished solid wood is part of its styling. Weber has also introduced the DAC 4.4, an R-2R converter.
Pairing
The Stereo 17 is meant for efficient loudspeakers in small and medium rooms. Its matching partner is the Badlands, a tube-rectified line preamplifier launched at the same show.
Alternatives
The ampsandsound Stereo ST15 Special Edition is an earlier, compact valve stereo amplifier by this company.
Specifications
Model name
Stereo 17
Input sensitivity (mV)
N/A
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
500 000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Max current (A)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
17
Output power (4Ω) (W)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Max power consumption (W)
N/A
Damping factor
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
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