This is an amp worth several times over its price. I highly recommand it. However, DO NOT replace the original volume dial and the 'horse hair' signal cable. I've tried to replace the dial as others have recommended to the highest grade Noble and the wires to 6N cables. Believe it or not, it's either the same or worse. I can hear more base out of the original than the upgraded parts. What a waste of time and money.

price, compact design

original volume changer

No raving revieuw here. There's no need to rave about this High-end bargain. What, in the world, can you buy for this money ? Well, this little S.E.T. for sure. And I did. Never had a bad feeling about it too. Replace the volume meter for a DACT, and you'll be sure it IS the best valve amp in the world. Also replace the Sovtek EL34's for JJ's(Tesla) or Svetlana's and you will notice the TRIODE magic. Indeed, use a real good source (Tjoeb 99), and there will be nothing but MUSIC. And that, my audiophile fella's, is the ultimate goal. You achive this goal, by buying the Sterling. Hook it up to Audio Note AN J-sp speakers, and go with the musical flow...
Litlle tip. Please replace it's copper horse-hair wiring for, say, Siltech. Magical. Stunning. Will there be any better ? Anything more beautifull than this Sterling (modified) ? Any suggestions... No sir, for this money it's unbeatable. Rgd's, tridiot's, from the "valvonerd".

focused and involving sound without tubey colorations

can't handle heavy bass information

Bought mine secondhanded for a ridiculous price. Changed the tubes to heavy duty Sovteks, took the cheapo pot away and substitued it with a high quality one, wired the signal path with silver and added some capasitance to critical places. Voila! No I have something special to drive the ribbons in my two-way hybrid dipoles. A pair of hybrid 100 watters take care of two 10 inch woofers per side and the combination works. I tried many other power amplifiers before Audions, both SE:s and P&P:s, with tubes and transistors, but even relatively pricey and famous amps failed to handle sonic palette without the natural and musical way this little box of steinless steel does. I'm talking about 3D soundstage, precision of imaging, shimmering of metal percussion, naturally resonating voices, biting brass and crisp attack of drums. All this and much more for a price that makes me smile every time I hear someone saying the magic words: high end.
OK. You can't get head banging soundpressures out of twelve watts when your speakers are in the 88 dB/1W -class, but if you prefer quality to quantity and if you are not afraid of taking a soldering iron in your hands, Sterling is a gem to look for. You'll be suprised...

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none I know

Very impressive. Fast, nimble, clear sound with surprising good bass respond. Can easily drive my NSB speakers which is rated at juz 82 db/W!!!! Thw 12 watts class A sure goes a long way

Runs hot, still lacks the ultimate appeal of SET Amps

Got this AMP mail ordered from the UK...I believe this is one of the best kept secrets in the SET world...At juz slightly more than $1000, I get a AMP that has the magic of SET amp with real world speakers driving capability...My speaker is rated at juz 82DB/W, but the sound is room filling and wholesome(I use it in my bedroom)!!!

Smooth, detailed and speedy is how I describe this AMP, esp fabulous with vocals. Strong bass with a delightful midrange, though it is a bit soft in the treble

if you have yet to move onto the Tube wagon, well, this is your chance....!!!

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Plenty of mid end stuffs from Exposure, Musical Fidelity, Marantz, Jolida etc

I must say that I'm fully pleased with this little guy. 12 tube-watts which I currently use with Magneplanar SMGc speakers! There are no signs that this little Audion amp should give any problems with bass control or the fact that the speakers are specified at 4 ohms. (My theory is, that the planar magnetic design in itself is quite self-damping and therefore the damping factor in the amp is of less importance.) I must say, that this combination is something to recommend! Of course, you cannot play extremely loud. But my opinion is, that if the quality of sound is at a very high level, why bother about the quantity of it? The dynamic expressions of this combo is even better than when I used the Maggies with a 60watts solid state...
Due to the relatively greater amount of HIGHER ORDER harmonic distorsion in a solid state amp, it always HAVE to sound brighter! Not as neutral as a well made tubed design i.e. Of course, this "problem" isn't always obvious when listening. But, AFTER COMPARING (A-B), you will realize the fact! Please note that I'm talking about this in general! The ideal thing is of course, an amp whith so very low level of dist. that these side-products of garbage aren't audible at all. Harmonic distorsion in my opinion, can NEVER make an audio product sound darker than the totally "distorsion free utopia"! (As far as we're talking about accurate frequency responce i.e.)
It's all about placing these resonances in the subjectively right configuration!
I look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to comment this! Different opinions or something that confirms my letter.
Welcome to:
lars.stromberg@okm.ok.se

HI EVERYBODY,
I USE THE STERLING TO DRIVE A BOOKSHELF SPEAKER FOCUS AUDIO FS68S AND MY FRIEND USE IT TO DRIVE CELECTION SL600SI. BOTH OF US FEELING THAT THE STERLING IS STRONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE MOST OF THE BOX TYPE SPEAKER. OF CAUSE IN VERY GOOD SOUND QUALITY. BUT ONE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU MUST REPLACE THE ORIGINAL VOLUME KNOB BY BETTER QUALITY VR ie. NOBLE.. OTHERWISE YOU JUST GOT 1/3 QUALITY OF THE GEAR. AFTER THE SIMIPLE MODIFICATION THIS GEAR CAN COMPETE WITH THE GEAR COST 3 TIMES HIGHER.
MEANWHILE, THE STERLING IS A VERY TURE AMP. AS YOU HAVE BETTER SOURCE IT SOUND BETTER AS WELL AS BETTER TUBE.
LASTLY, I PERFER TO USE THE STERLING AS AN INTERGATE AMP. IT IS BECAUSE THE SOUND WILL BECOME LIVELESS AFTER ADDING A PRE-AMP. (MAY BE IT NEED TO OPERATE WITH A VERY VERY HI-END PRE-AMP.)
BY THE WAY, I RECOMMAND EVERYBODY TO AUDITION THE STERLING BEFORE MAKING DECISION TO BUY A TUBE GEAR.
HOPE TO HEAR OTHER COMMENTS ON IT.
ANTHONY

size,sound,price

none

I use the Audion Sterling for over 2 years, with the Jamo concert 8 (and since a few weeks)the arcam FMJ. I´m pleased with the sound. I´m not the person to analize the music i listen, i just enjoy it.

Sound, price, and compactness

Cheesy nob

This little amp is a joy. Very musical and powerful for only 12 watts. I can't think of a cheaper way to get into SET sound (manual claims it's actually pentode.) I got the optional chrome finish and it looks great. The only gripe I have is the cheap nob. The damn thing fell off the minute I opened the box. Tried screw it back on but have had no luck.

D.G. Chessell, Redesign that stupid nob!!!

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