WESTERN ELECTRIC 91E INTEGRATED

Western Electric is soon to release its 91E integrated amplifier, a single-ended design using new production versions of its famous 300-B triode valve developed in 1938 and re-released in 2021 following construction of a purpose-built valve production facility in Rossville, Georgia. “The first new amplifier from Western Electric in more than fifteen years, the 91E continues a long-running legacy of quality sound,” said Rom Beyerle of Pure Music Group, which distributes Western Electric in Australia. He told Australian Hi-Fi Magazine that for a limited time Pure Audio’s dealers were authorised to give a ten per cent discount on the recommended retail price to any customer who pre-ordered a Western Electric 91E.

“Dubbed by Western Electric as ‘the only tube amplifier you’ll ever need’ the 91E is a revolutionary new integrated whose sound is inspired by its famous predecessor, the WE 91A,” he said. “A never-before realised level of performance has been achieved with a completely new approach to single-ended amplifier design, where the 91E’s circuitry intelligently steers the parallel feed constant current source (SCCS), allowing the tubes to deliver more than double their previously rated output of 8-watts.”

Western Electric says it has patented the 91E circuit design and included features including an interchangeable transformer block and glass tube covers. Charles Whitener, president of Western Electric said, “We’ve waited a long time to officially announce the 91E’s arrival. Research, development, and sourcing materials were completed over the last five years. During that time we also had to manage the return of the 300-B, the worldwide demand for which surged so high that only now are we able to dedicate inventory to support amplifier production. You can’t have a Western Electric amplifier without Western Electric tubes.”