What is your favorite output tube for low wattage?

Freo-1 · « **on:** 16 Mar 2020, 06:06 pm »

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.

rodge827 · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Mar 2020, 06:33 pm »

300b all the way! Just listened to a very good 2A3 amp and the 300b was better by far.

2wo · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Mar 2020, 10:47 pm »

lokie · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Mar 2020, 10:52 pm »

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.

Blackmore · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Mar 2020, 11:03 pm »

+2 for the 45 but the 50 is so delicious.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Mar 2020, 01:51 am »

Quote from: lokie on 16 Mar 2020, 10:52 pm

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

shooter · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Mar 2020, 11:23 pm »

10, 50, 6cb5a.

guf · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Mar 2020, 01:26 am »

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.

Sarmck · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Mar 2020, 01:47 am »

Quote from: Blackmore on 16 Mar 2020, 11:03 pm

+2 for the 45 but the 50 is so delicious.

Mark,
Would that comment have anything to do with DrummerWill’s Locomotive amps?
Ron

Blackmore · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Mar 2020, 11:18 am »

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.

rollo · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Mar 2020, 06:38 pm »

300B then 45 from 120HZ up. Use of a sub required.

charles

Tyson · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Mar 2020, 07:43 pm »

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.

Auracom · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Aug 2020, 09:38 pm »

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)?

Tyson · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Aug 2020, 11:42 pm »

Quote from: Auracom on 30 Aug 2020, 09:38 pm

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.

Auracom · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Aug 2020, 12:51 am »

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.

Docere · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Sep 2020, 10:14 am »

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.

rollo · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Sep 2020, 04:09 pm »

What about Emission Labs 45 ? Any experience over say GE, Sylvania, RCA ? Thanks.

charles

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Sep 2020, 04:55 pm »

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

Bill Baker · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 Sep 2020, 06:58 pm »

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.

Docere · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Sep 2020, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 5 Sep 2020, 04:55 pm

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.