WESTERN ELECTRIC 91E INTEGRATED VALVE AMP NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK THROUGH ABSOLUTE SOUNDS

The road to seeing the Western Electric 91E Integrated Amplifier become available to buy has been a long one, but now it hits the UK with distributor Absolute Sounds.

WESTERN ELECTRIC

No audio brand still operating stretches back in time further than Western Electric. Founded in 1869, seven years before Edison set up his laboratory, the American company was a leader in the development of audio technology for telephones, cinemas and more. For much of its history, it was a subsidiary of AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph); it was acquired by entrepreneur Charles G. Whitener in 1995 and remains in his hands to this day.

Western Electric 91E available in the UK through Absolute Sounds

Western Electric played a major role in developing high-fidelity sound in the pre-solid-state era. It made amplifiers that were considered cutting-edge in their day, such as the 91A, a single-ended triode (SET) design launched in 1936 and originally used in movie theatres. It also created the 300B audio valve introduced in 1938 to amplify telephone signals and continues to make the definitive version to this day, having resumed 300B production in 2020.

Western Electric 91E and the 300bs

WESTERN ELECTRIC 91E INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

Western Electric’s latest creation is the 91E integrated valve amplifier, developed from the legacy of the 91A and incorporating the famous Western Electric 300B, it is made in Rossville, Georgia.

The Western Electric 91E Integrated Amplifier features a pair of matched 300B valves housed in glass cylinders protruding from the top. Available in a choice of champagne gold, nickel, and black, the 91E combines the experience gained from many decades of SET amp development with new techniques and technologies, including Western Electric’s patented, fully linear SCCS (Steered Constant Current Source) circuitry. This enhanced parallel feed is controlled exclusively by the valve’s output voltage and increases the power available from the 300B output valves to around double the seven or eight watts of traditional 300B-based SET amp designs, whilst eliminating the need for large output transformers and associated hysteresis.

Western Electric 91E in champagne

LCD DISPLAY

When the amp powers up, the LCD display shows Western Electric’s classic ‘Spirit of Communication’ logo of 1914, then switches to a pair of vertical power meters. Volume level is displayed, alongside input selection: there are the four line-level RCA inputs, an MM/MC phono input, and Bluetooth for those wishing to pair their digital devices wirelessly. There is a microprocessor-controlled valve warm-up and auto-bias regimes, an optical-encoder volume control that addresses a relay-switched resistor network, and there is a switching of filament polarity each time the amp is turned on to enhance the 300Bs’ lifespan.

Western Electric 91E Integrated Amplifier with their 300B valves

VALVES

The 91E’s complement of valves includes a pair of ECC81s in addition to the matched pair of 300Bs. While the amp’s power output is inevitably lower than that of solid-state designs,  the additional power generated by its innovative design opens up a wider range of partnering speakers. Flexibility is further enhanced by plug-in-plug-out 4-, 8- and 16-ohm transformer blocks, interchangeable to match the speakers used by its owner.

300B valve

Specs and more info on the Western Electric 91E here

WESTERN ELECTRIC AT AUDIO SHOW DELUXE

Absolute Sounds will showcase the Western Electric 91E, among other extraordinary creations from its brand portfolio, at Audio Show Deluxe. This new show is devoted to products at the summit of high-end audio and takes place at Whittlebury Park, Northamptonshire, on 25th/26th March. More information and tickets here

WESTERN ELECTRIC 91E PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Western Electric 91E integrated amplifier is available now from Absolute Sound’s group of retailers, at an RRP of £16,998 in black or champagne gold, or £18,500 in the premium nickel finish.

Alongside the amp, Absolute Sounds are also importing Western Electric’s 300B valves.

HiFi Pig Says: We have followed the journey of the Western Electric 300B valve and the 91E amp for the last few years, fantastic to see it now available for UK audiophiles.