Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
SE-845
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Output Power: 20 watts (4, 8, or 16 ohm load)
- Tubes: 845 filamentary power triode, EL822/CV2382 power pentodes
Description
The SE845 Mono Amplifier is the flagship of our all-tube power amplifier line. It employs the famous 845 filamentary power triode in single-ended operation mode for an output power of up to 20 watts into a 4, 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load.
The SE845 Mono Amplifier is... the flagship of our all-tube power amplifier line. It employs the famous 845 filamentary power triode in single-ended operation mode for an output power of up to 20 watts into a 4, 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load. The 845 power tube works into an ultimate in-house made output transformer (with highly elaborated dual- coil winding sitting on a large custom made C-core) and is excited by an extraordinary single-stage arrangement utilizing two EL822/CV2382 power pentodes operated in triode mode with high idle current. The driver is so powerful that it could (theoretically) drive a loudspeaker load with very low distortion on its own. The SE845 Mono Amplifier is an ultimate component in every respect and as such a worthy complement to our Dual Function Amplifier or Full Function Preamplifier.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- They draw heavily from classic professional audio design, with a clear emphasis on functionality and a vintage aesthetic reminiscent of 1950s and 60s laboratory equipment.
- Thöress uniquely combines tubes with carefully chosen solid-state components like MOSFETs and Schottky diodes to optimize tube performance and minimize noise, rather than adhering to a strictly tube-only design.
- Almost all inductive components, including power, output, and MC step-up transformers, are hand-wound in-house, allowing for precise control over their specifications and performance.
- Rather than using a printed circuit board (PCB), Thöress amplifiers are assembled point-to-point, which Reinhard believes is a superior approach for the large parts, high voltages, and need for ventilation in tube circuits.
Select products
Select product comparisons
F2A11 INTEGRATED
- Positioning: A compact integrated amplifier suited for small room applications and modest budgets.
- Description: Uses the vintage F2A11 tube in single-ended triode mode to deliver a simple 2×6 watt output ideal for minimal setups. Compared to the DF and EHT models that offer additional functions and higher power, this unit is best for users focused on basic performance without extra features.
DF AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A versatile dual function amplifier that combines line control with headphone driving.
- Description: Features a minimalist vacuum tube circuit with a triode gain stage followed by a current buffer that supports low impedance loads, ensuring flexible connectivity. Compared to the entry-level F2A11 with its simple integrated design, the DF amplifier adds tone control and remote volume features for users needing extra functionality.
FULL FUNCTION PREAMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A versatile preamplifier offering both line control and a built-in tube phono equalizer.
- Description: Integrates a tube phono equalizer with a refined line amplifier circuit to process signals accurately. In contrast to the simpler integrated F2A11 and dual-purpose DF, this model is tailored for buyers who prioritize advanced tonal control for vinyl and line-level signals without a built-in power section.
EHT INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: An integrated amplifier combining tube warmth with solid-state drive for challenging speaker loads.
- Description: Uses a single-ended hybrid triode topology that combines a vacuum tube section with MOSFET technology to deliver 2×20 watts and low output impedance. Compared to the F2A11 and DF designs, the EHT offers advanced drive and display of modern hybrid technology.
SE845 MONO AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A high-end monoblock amplifier designed for refined, powerful performance.
- Description: Uses the well-known 845 power tube in a single-ended triode configuration with a custom dual-winding transformer that ensures precise control and low distortion. Compared to the preamplifier and EHT models, the SE845 is aimed at buyers who need robust, high-performance amplification.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
350
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
9
Founding Year
2000
Our take on the brand
Thöress is a hifi brand known for its unique EHT Topology, which combines single-ended triode tubes with MOSFET output stages in Class-A mode, setting it apart from typical tube amplifiers through its transparency rather than warmth. The brand's products feature a distinctive vintage laboratory aesthetic with German labeling, and include the Phono Enhancer, which lets users adjust equalization curves on-the-fly without conventional tone controls.
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Thöress
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What if you spend more?
Feliks Audio
ECHO 2
943
943
/
7
Reviews
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Product Strengths
- Unique and engaging musical experience, even with some hard-to-drive headphones
- Natural, fluid, musical sound with a bit of warmth, superb soundstage, and resolution
- Exceptional detail for the price category and low distortion
- Great build quality and a pleasing aesthetic, being hand-built
- Also works as a preamplifier for stereo setups
Product Considerations
- Not designed for planar magnetic headphones or for low impedance headphones
- May sound brighter, with lower bass quantity and precision, with low impedance headphones
- Tubes are consumables and will burn out after a couple thousand hours of use
- The power switch is located on the back, which some may find inconvenient
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SPL Audio Phonitor 2 amp—Echo 2 provides a more refined experience
- Vs Hagerman Tuba—Echo 2 has better driving power and clarity for high impedance headphones
- Vs Audio-gd Master 19—Echo 2 has a more natural tonality and deeper soundstage for high impedance headphones
- Vs Violectric HPA V340—Echo 2 has a more magical musicality and a smoother presentation for high impedance headphones
- Vs Burson Soloist 3X Performance—Echo MKII leans towards a slightly more relaxed sound, while Soloist leans into a more forward aggressive one, and the Soloist has stronger treble extension
Takeaway: The Feliks Audio Echo 2/MKII is a great tube amplifier for those who appreciate engaging and emotionally rich listening sessions, especially with high-impedance dynamic headphones. This hand-built amplifier offers a unique musicality and adds warmth and depth to music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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