The SP-T700 monoblocks are created “in the image and likeness” of their predecessors SP-T800, as evidenced by at least identical dimensions and design, including a power supply with an “inverted” (that is, suspended from the top panel) toroidal transformer. The aforementioned 6S3P is used here as a voltage-to-current converter, and the driver is the 6ZH9P pentode.
The output stages are represented by three complementary pairs of Toshiba bipolar transistors, 2SA1943 and 2SC5200 (230 V/15 A/150 W). The radio tube on the front panel is a 6Z4 rectifier. For the first few watts, the amplifier operates in class A mode, then smoothly transitioning to the usual AB.
The Vincent SA-T7 preamplifier and Vincent SP-T700 monoblocks look quite elegant and even somewhat dapper, and the switched-on lamp illumination makes them the dominant feature of the interior, especially at dusk. At the same time, the rich orange glow of the front “portholes” is perceived not as a straightforward reference to “warm lamp”, but rather as a completely appropriate stylization, the degree of which can be adjusted by changing the brightness of the backlight or completely turning it off.
The first impression of the Vincent trinity is a fairly harmonious, even, slightly softened sound, with a characteristic tube accent, but not loose, but quite bodily and elastic. I wanted to dust off the “layers” and lower the pickup head onto a track with a recording of “Show-Biz Blues” from Fleetwood Mac from 1969, and immediately following it with the canonical “Oh Well”, from the album “Then Play On” (although The majority of blues fans rightly associate this piece with the guitar and musical talent of Peter Green, and not the creative duo Fleetwood-McVee).
Vincent SA-T7 and T700 very coolly and inspiredly play tracks from almost half a century ago, where you need to give in the “meat” where necessary – giving out a precisely measured dose of melancholy, tying together a rock manifesto and a cantilena. Frankly, having dealt with various components from Vincent before, I approached the devices I tested not so much with prejudice – no, I respect the products of this company – but with certain expectations. And, perhaps, for the first time I realized what it means to be a prisoner of my own stereotypes: the Vincent SA-T7 and T700 combination are as separated from the younger representatives of the model range as a Toledo blade is from a digging stick. Without feeling the right to label and give advice, I will still repeat that from my point of view, the Vincent SA-T7 and SP-T700 and everything else, as they say in one beautiful southern city, are two big differences.
Despite all the apparent omnivorousness and friendliness (which in fact is quite true), the Vincent SA-T7 and SP-T700 set is a serious and worthy instrument for exploring music with many degrees of customization. In other words, simply by purchasing it, you will automatically provide yourself with a decent level of playback of musical material. But by carefully selecting components and switching elements, you will be able to “squeeze” out of the kit much more than you could count on simply based on the cost of the devices.
Specifications Vincent SP-T700
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Nominal output power RMS / 8 ohms: 150 W
Nominal output power RMS / 4 ohms: 300 W
Nominal output power Class A / 8 ohms: 10 Watts
Harmonic Distortion: <0.01% (1kHz, 1W); <0.1% (1 kHz, 25 W)
Input Sensitivity: 1 V (for 25 W RMS into 4 ohms)
Signal to Noise Ratio: > 90 dB
Input Impedance: > 22 k ohms
Max. Power Consumption: 306 W
Inputs: 1 x Mono RCA, 1 x 3.5mm Jack (Power Management)
Outputs: 2 x 2 Speaker Jacks, 1 x 3.5mm Jack (Power Management)
Tubes: 1 x 6S3P-EV; 1 x 6SCH9P, 1 x 6Z4
Color: black / silver
Weight: 16 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD): 210 x 263 x 400 mm
