AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Low Wattage Systems => Topic started by: Freo-1 on 16 Mar 2020, 06:06 pm
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What tube do members think is the best for the output stage with a low wattage setup?
Personally, I like the 211 or 845 tube.
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300b all the way! Just listened to a very good 2A3 amp and the 300b was better by far.
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45
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Neither 211 nor 845 is low watt.
45 is one and 2a3 is two. Everything else is a distant second... if we're talking low wattage.
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+2 for the 45 but the 50 is so delicious.
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Neither 211 nor 845 is low watt.
45 is one and 2a3 is two. Everything else is a distant second... if we're talking low wattage.
It can be in a SE application
https://audioxpress.com/article/A-211-SE-Triode-Amp (https://audioxpress.com/article/A-211-SE-Triode-Amp)
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10, 50, 6cb5a.
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I'm all about the 45.
My amp does a 45/2a3 and a 46. The 46 does surprisingly well but my speakers are not ideal for it. Not because of wattage but it likes a 16 ohm speaker.
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+2 for the 45 but the 50 is so delicious.
Mark,
Would that comment have anything to do with DrummerWill’s Locomotive amps?
Ron
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You bet it is, Ron. Willie 50 amp was just so cool!!!!!! I do have a Yamamoto A8 using the 45 so I'm not too far off.
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300B then 45 from 120HZ up. Use of a sub required.
charles
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I've heard just about all pentodes in SE mode, of them all, the 807 is my favorite. For Triodes I've heard the 45, 2a3, 300b, 211, 845 and 6c33c tubes. For mid/highs only, I like the 45 best. For full range my buddy's Sun Valley 845 amp is just about the best amp I have ever heard.
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Apologies for the bump but I was curious if anyone had general opinions on 45 vs 2A3? 10 years ago I ran a Moth Audio 2A3 into a pair of Cicadas (Lowther clone drivers) so I got relatively familiar with that tube’s sound... but I don’t have such familiarity with 45’s. I assume they add similar character to the sound, any differences in detail or soundstage (or does it just vary among individual valves)?
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Apologies for the bump but I was curious if anyone had general opinions on 45 vs 2A3? 10 years ago I ran a Moth Audio 2A3 into a pair of Cicadas (Lowther clone drivers) so I got relatively familiar with that tube’s sound... but I don’t have such familiarity with 45’s. I assume they add similar character to the sound, any differences in detail or soundstage (or does it just vary among individual valves)?
IME, the 2a3 has more headroom is a bit cleaner and more defined in the soundstage and imaging, while the 45 has a more immediate sound, it's almost like seeing directly into the original recorded event, and the 45 has a bit more of that sense of reproducing real people in your room. But the 45 is severely headroom limited.
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Thanks, Tyson. Sounds like 2A3 would be more my cup of tea, current speakers have no trouble with immediacy and I would want to go for more soundstage if possible.
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Presently 2A3, but not at “classic” operating points. EML solids as a daily drive, JJ as contingency, and EML mesh were lovely until I immolated one of the pair.
The suggestions here are rather US-centric. The PX4 looks better than most on paper and is highly regarded sonically... next amp.
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What about Emission Labs 45 ? Any experience over say GE, Sylvania, RCA ? Thanks.
charles
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All EML tubes are nice but not nicer than the originals, experiencied custumers always prefer the old stuff.
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/don-garber-fi-superx.html
PX25 is other old gold worth search.
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/artaudio-px25.html
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With so many options out there these days, I am still a fan of the 2A3 and 300B if done with the proper circuit design. (Like any tube amp of course). The 300B is my personal favorite only due to the few extra watts it provides.
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All EML tubes are nice but not nicer than the originals, experiencied custumers always prefer the old stuff.
Is that reality? Seems to me that some experienced users prefer old stock and others prefer EML... or some other current manufacture. It depends on their system, goals, biases and how they like music presented.
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Will find out soon. Using a high out 211 now, a 45 coming. My buddies will be bringing over a 300B and a 2A3 amp. The chase is on . Fun fun fun. Maybe I just should buy a SS amp instead :duh: :duh: :nono:
charles
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Will find out soon. Using a high out 211 now, a 45 coming. My buddies will be bringing over a 300B and a 2A3 amp. The chase is on . Fun fun fun. Maybe I just should buy a SS amp instead :duh: :duh: :nono:
charles
Why not both? Run a 45 amp with the gain you want/need. Buy or build a First Watt F4 and drive it with the 45.
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OK very happy so far with 45 Amp. Using 6SN7 driver tubes and 6AxA5 rectifier. Raytheon for rectifier, Sylvania 45s and GE 6SN7s. Now looking for the best tubes for this application. The Amp only cost $1250 so an Elrog 45 is out of the question. TJ meshplate maybe a $425/pr. Then depending on 45 chosen the right 6SN7 for that tube. Any suggestions my fellow low wattage people ??
charles
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EML 45
http://www.emissionlabs.com/datasheets/EML45.html
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OK very happy so far with 45 Amp. Using 6SN7 driver tubes and 6AxA5 rectifier. Raytheon for rectifier, Sylvania 45s and GE 6SN7s. Now looking for the best tubes for this application. The Amp only cost $1250 so an Elrog 45 is out of the question. TJ meshplate maybe a $425/pr. Then depending on 45 chosen the right 6SN7 for that tube. Any suggestions my fellow low wattage people ??
charles
When in doubt stick with RCA and GE.
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charles, I haven't tried the EML 45's but I am certainly not opposed. I am currently using RCA 45's which sound real nice. For 6sn7 I swap between Hitachi 6sn7GTB and Ratheon Vt-231, both are swell.
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When in doubt stick with RCA and GE.
Si Senor but my audiophile brain says try them .
charles
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Tung Sol 45's sound very nice.
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Thanks Tyson. The list is RCA Ballons, Tunsol, EML. Now using GE or Sylvania chrome.
charles
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I've always been fond of the 807 tube. They are a great sounding triode and are still very affordable. Many varieties are out there - English Cossar, Mullard and Haltron. THere are French versions and of course all the American manufactures like RCA, Sylvania, Raytheon. With all these options tube rolling is cheap and fun. the 807 can be ran in a SE layout but is most commonly seen in P/P amps.
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I've always been fond of the 807 tube. They are a great sounding triode and are still very affordable. Many varieties are out there - English Cossar, Mullard and Haltron. THere are French versions and of course all the American manufactures like RCA, Sylvania, Raytheon. With all these options tube rolling is cheap and fun. the 807 can be ran in a SE layout but is most commonly seen in P/P amps.
I have a pair of monoblock amps that use the 1625, which is the 12 volt version of the 807. Very nice tube.
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I've always been fond of the 807 tube. They are a great sounding triode and are still very affordable.
Are you talking about running them strapped?
807s are beam tetrodes.
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Always liked the EL34 with an EI OPT.
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Are you talking about running them strapped?
807s are beam tetrodes.
Cary Audio made a SET amp called the sweet 807 amp
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Cary Audio made a SET amp called the sweet 807 amp
I had one made by Dennis Had, but it was not triode strapped.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124837.msg1315999#msg1315999
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I had one made by Dennis Had, but it was not triode strapped.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124837.msg1315999#msg1315999 (https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124837.msg1315999#msg1315999)
Nice. What were your impressions?
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Nice. What were your impressions?
I thought it was a really good amp, but due to circumstances at the time didn't use it much. To be honest it was an impulse buy, Dennis Had, inexpensive, cool looking.
I had factory hot rodded Legacy Classic in my main system at the time and had a couple of other tube amps that drove them well.
The Sweet 807 would have been in my spare bedroom system which I don't use as much.
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I thought it was a really good amp, but due to circumstances at the time didn't use it much. To be honest it was an impulse buy, Dennis Had, inexpensive, cool looking.
I had factory hot rodded Legacy Classic in my main system at the time and had a couple of other tube amps that drove them well.
The Sweet 807 would have been in my spare bedroom system which I don't use as much.
Thanks. Would imagine it would be a good sounding amp, given the pedigree.