New Western Electric 91E tube amplifier with 300B tubes

The Western Electric 91E Integrated Amplifier operates in a single-ended design and is based on the 91A from the second half of the 20th century. The novelty was the first Western Electric amplifier in over 15 years. The model was announced back in 2019.


Most popular vacuum tubes in the world

Western Electric 91E

The Western Electric 91E proprietary circuitry has more than doubled the power that can be drawn from a 300B end-tube in this mode – over 20 watts per channel. It controls a parallel DC power supply. Half of the AC is applied to the plate (anode) of the 300B, modulating the quiescent current.

Displacement control – automatic, microprocessor. The Western Electric 91E pre-stage contains two ECC81 tubes. All four lamps are displayed on the top panel. The amplifier provides for the replacement of the output transformers with a version with support for 4-ohm load.

Bluetooth 4.2

Western Electric 91E

From modern technologies Western Electric 91E received a Bluetooth module – a wireless audio input. Six more inputs (counting the preout) are RCA cables. In addition, the system has USB and LAN inputs. Western Electric 91E receives firmware updates over the network.


Remote control

An infrared remote control is provided to control the novelty. The amplifier status is displayed on a dimmable color LCD.


Price and availability

The Western Electric 91E tube amplifier is already available in the US on pre-order for $12,500.


Western Electric 91E Specifications

Western Electric 91E
Weight49lbs / 22.2 kg
Dimensions18.9 x 15 x 11.1” / 48 x 38 x 28cm
ChassisMachined Aluminum
ColorsNickel, Gold, Black
Operating Voltage100V / 115V / 230V / 50-60Hz
Power Consumption (Operation / Standby)160W / 0.3W
Mains Fuse2A slow-blow
Electron Tube ComplementOne Matched Pair Western Electric 300B, 2x ECC81
Phono MM Sensitivity (10W / 4Ω)0.75mV
Phono MC Sensitivity (10W / 4Ω)70μV
CD Sensitivity (10W / 4Ω)0.27V
CD Input Impedance20 kOhms
Phono MM Input Impedance47 kOhms | | 100 pF
SNR MM (10W / 4Ω, input 5mV)83 dB(A)
SNR MC (10W / 4Ω, input 0.5mV)73 dB(A)
SNR CD (10W / 4Ω, input 0.5V)101 dB(A)
CD Frequency Response15 Hz – 32 kHz (-3 dB)
Phono Frequency Response30 Hz – 20 kHz (RIAA within +/- 0.5 dB)
Output Power / 4 Ω / THD 10%2 x 20 watts
Output Power / 4 Ω / THD 5%2 x 16 watts
Output Power / 4 Ω / THD 3%2 x 14 watts
Output Power / 8 Ω / THD 10%2 x 20 watts
Output Power / 8 Ω / THD 5%2 x 16 watts
Output Power / 8 Ω / THD 3%2 x 14 watts
BT* Standardv4.2
BT* CodecsBC, MP3, AAC, Fastream, APTX
BT* Sample Rate (adaptive)Up to 96kHz / 16-bit
BT* frequency response20 Hz – 20 kHz
BT* SNR96dB

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