1st The Design and its specifications:
This design of this Pro 200B is very sophisticated. The cabinet is made of 1.5mm thick steel, so that makes it extremely rigid and firm. The cabinet has been sprayed black in colour and comes along with a high quality cherry-wood bezel. In the center of the cherry wood bezel, is located a gold plated control knob. These touches make the amplifier look very elegant and creates the feeling of harmonious. The four EL34 tubes are listed an arc line order. It give a sense of dynamic.
PRO - 2000B uses 4 x EL34 in a Class A triode push-pull mode, 2 set of 6F2 are used for pre-amplification, with a maximum power output of 35W/channel. The Pro-200B model uses Russian tubes which offer greater sonic performance and stability.
As we all know, sonic performance is highly dependant on a high quality power supply. Rectification for this amplifier is done using US imported valve, in order to reduce the power supply ripple.
The design of the PRO - 2000B output transformer is unique. Many other amplifiers incorporate output terminal design that provides 8 ohm, 4 ohm or even more impedance outputs, however, the PRO - 2000B has only have a choice of 4 ohm or 8 ohm. This is done to reduce the complexity of the manufacturing process. The output transformer uses the auto-adaptive impedance design to reduce the inter-modulation effects within the transformer, making it far easier and convenient in matching the amplifier with different speaker loads.
Because the compact size of PRO - 200B, there are only 2 stereo sets of RCA sockets included, however this should suffice for most users.
Overall, the PRO - 200B’s SNR is very high. Pairing it with a set of LS3/5A speakers, no static noise could be heard, even while the amplifier was in the pre-heating stages.
2nd, Sentimental and dynamic sound
The asking price of the PRO - 2000B is $2850 RMB, which makes it far more expensive as compared with the other models such as the FV-34B, which retails at just 1,650 Yuan. Looking from the design perspective, the electronic circuitry is remarkably similar. The reason for the Pro 2000B commanding a higher price lies in the material and components used in this model. The use of high quality components in the Pro 200B increased the unit cost dramatically. As highlighted earlier, this machine uses Russian EL34’s, which cost much more than the Shuguang tubes used in the other models. This corresponds to an increase of the unit cost. Due to the nature of the Russian tubes, which offers a more detail sound, more low frequency extension. Tighter specifications on components used and a re-design of overall circuit layouts also lead to an increase in cost. Although the PRO - 2000B looks smiliar to the FV-34B, but its unit cost is actually double that of the FV-34B. From the sound played from a Pro-2000B, you would admit that the extra cost involved is properly justified.
In our studio, the Pro-2000B was connected with a pair of LS3/5A loudspeakers for an audition. This machine produced a warm mid range, smooth upper range. airy and fast response and high definition characteristics. Unlike vintage design tube amplifiers, it has the dynamics that other vintages amplifiers lack.
Amplifiers using EL34s are not something new. Marantz set the benchmark for such amplifiers. However, not much EL34 amplifiers are good, due to the fact that not all amplifiers can produce elegant and smooth mid high frequency. However, the PRO-2000B excels in this aspect. Its transparency, definition and smoothness can compare with many expensive amplifiers made overseas. The PRO-2000B produces a warm mid range, with good low frequency extension, and sounds very cohesive. Its dynamics aren’t extremely impressive, however, the airiness is . When it comes to vocals, the sound from the voices are full of feeling and many other expensive brand name amplifiers are not able to meet the benchmark set by the Pro-2000B.
3rd, conclusion
PRO - 2000B represents extremely good value and performance. Although it is not a big brand upscale amplifier, it is actually an excellent quality product with a reasonable price. Its appearance can be compared with other brand-name amplifiers, but the sound quality remains unmatched, especially within this price class. Base on personal past experience from auditing many tube amplifiers, Pro-2000B remains unrivaled in this price range.