Glasshouse 300BSE Amp - Upgrade kit

The standard Glasshouse 300BSE provides electronic components of good quality, but there is always room for improvement. With many years of upgrading experience and numerous hours spent listening, we have come up with a list of audiograde components to take your 300BSE amplifier to the next level.

CONSTRUCTION

To include the upgrade kit into your Glasshouse 300BSE construction does not add complexity to the build. There are some slight changes in the layout owing to the increased size of a few components. Namely, C13/15/17/19, 4700uF 35V Black Gate standards, as used for smoothing of the heater supplies. Inclusion of these components requires a layout change on boards PSU3 & PSU4. C5 requires the use of a 35mm vertical clip rather than a 25mm, this is supplied.

LISTENING TEST by Simon Pope

What the additional high quality components in this amplifier buys you is the next step up as far as resolution, details and presence is concerned. With a range of high quality classical, jazz and contemporary music recordings the upgraded amplifier demonstrated a higher level of smoothness and liquidity. However, this was combined with increased bass depth, extension and speed, a more involving midrange and a slightly sweeter treble. Detail was increased and so was the three dimensionality of the sound staging. For example, with vocal lines, the voice was further forward in the sound stage and this increased presence brings the listener right into the recording. Similarly, with acoustic instruments, especially guitars, there was a greater sense of authority and realism. All in all it is a very sophisticated sound that well and truly defies its price tag.