Looking for recommendations for great sounding 300B tube amps

mresseguie · « **on:** 26 Jul 2022, 09:57 pm »

I have next to no experience with 300B amps. I'd like to begin some research into 300B amps, and figured there must be people here who can suggest this or that amp. Just for kicks, let's say my budget is as much as $6000 USD.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Michael

deadhead · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 12:17 am »

I bought one from Toolshed Amps. It started at your number but after I got done with upgrades it was closer to 10k. It's built like a tank and the sound is glorious.

Blackmore · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 12:32 am »

I just bought the Consonance Audio Ref 5.5 mk 2 special edition from Stereo Haven in Illinois. It's a bit more modest in price than your budget at $3500 and uses a parallel pair of 300B tubes for around 18 watts per channel. Besides having a remote, it has taps for 8 and 16 ohms so it's a natural for my Falcon LS3/5a and Altec Valencias. Kinda cool piece of gear that can play with more speakers than you'd normally pair with a 300B tube. Don Better Audio has this amp too.

Good luck with your journey into 300B-land

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 12:45 am »

David Berning is making SET and Push/Pull bespoke 300b amplifiers to order. Trickle down technology from his 845 amplifier line. Amazing performance. Actually has full range response. Rock solid bass, extended top end and the magic midrange. Within your range. He's making one for me now.

Dieterle Tool · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 12:49 am »

^ this sounds amazing!

Michael, please give Gordan and the crew at Wavelength some consideration as well... https://www.wavelengthaudio.com/products/

-Dieter

mresseguie · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:41 am »

Quote from: deadhead on 27 Jul 2022, 12:17 am

I bought one from Toolshed Amps. It started at your number but after I got done with upgrades it was closer to 10k. It's built like a tank and the sound is glorious.

Quote from: Dieterle Tool on 27 Jul 2022, 12:49 am

^ this sounds amazing!

Michael, please give Gordan and the crew at Wavelength some consideration as well... https://www.wavelengthaudio.com/products/

-Dieter

Quote from: Blackmore on 27 Jul 2022, 12:32 am

I just bought the Consonance Audio Ref 5.5 mk 2 special edition from Stereo Haven in Illinois. It's a bit more modest in price than your budget at $3500 and uses a parallel pair of 300B tubes for around 18 watts per channel. Besides having a remote, it has taps for 8 and 16 ohms so it's a natural for my Falcon LS3/5a and Altec Valencias. Kinda cool piece of gear that can play with more speakers than you'd normally pair with a 300B tube. Don Better Audio has this amp too.

Good luck with your journey into 300B-land

Quote from: Rusty Jefferson on 27 Jul 2022, 12:45 am

David Berning is making SET and Push/Pull bespoke 300b amplifiers to order. Trickle down technology from his 845 amplifier line. Amazing performance. Actually has full range response. Rock solid bass, extended top end and the magic midrange. Within your range. He's making one for me now.

Very interesting!

I had not known about Toolshed Amps, Consonance, nor Wavelength till you guys posted your replies. Very cool stuff....I knew David Berning sells amps, but I didn't know he made 300B as well. I'll look into all of these as time permits in the next couple weeks.

I'll be at Pacific Audio Fest this weekend, and I'll keep my eyes peeled for any 300B amps there.

Michael

SET Man · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 02:01 am »

Hey!

If you can swing a soldering iron, perhaps the Audio Note Interstage 300B Monoblock with C-Core output transformers kit.

Buddy

tull skull · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 03:47 am »

Quote from: SET Man on 27 Jul 2022, 02:01 am

Hey!

If you can swing a soldering iron, perhaps the Audio Note Interstage 300B Monoblock with C-Core output transformers kit.

Buddy

Elekit also has a 300B amp kit.

mresseguie · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 05:13 am »

SET man and tull skull,

Great suggestions. However, my soldering skills are not so great and I lack confidence to tackle these kits alone. I might try my hand at an entry level component, but not at this level.

TomS · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 12:49 pm »

Speaking of PAF, I'd chat with Dan Wright. He has an offering here in the Ambrose Ai325, somewhat above your price, but beautiful work as usual from them.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=163581.0

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:11 pm »

I dont like the 300B tube but always liked the LM and MingDa amps why the heating are AC or were some years ago.

Integrated:
http://www.mei-xing.com/english/English/cp/1_300-A.html

mresseguie · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:35 pm »

Quote from: TomS on 27 Jul 2022, 12:49 pm

Speaking of PAF, I'd chat with Dan Wright. He has an offering here in the Ambrose Ai325, somewhat above your price, but beautiful work as usual from them.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=163581.0

I'm not sure he's still offering this amp, but I've already contacted him about another of his offerings, and will visit him this weekend. Thanks for the information.

RonP · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:36 pm »

If it helps, DecWare is working on a 300B

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1649817393/0

mresseguie · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:37 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 27 Jul 2022, 01:11 pm

I dont like the 300B tube but always liked the LM and MingDa amps why the heating are AC or were some years ago.

Integrated:
http://www.mei-xing.com/english/English/cp/1_300-A.html

I'm not sure what you mean by "...why the heating are AC...". Please explain.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 01:46 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 27 Jul 2022, 01:37 pm

I'm not sure what you mean by "...why the heating are AC...". Please explain.

AC heating delivery a wider soundstage and cheaper than DC heating at expense of some noise floor.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 02:01 pm »

Quote from: RonP on 27 Jul 2022, 01:36 pm

If it helps, DecWare is working on a 300B

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1649817393/0

If he is not in a hurry, order now, receive the amplifier in 2 years.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 02:09 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 27 Jul 2022, 01:37 pm

I'm not sure what you mean by "...why the heating are AC...". Please explain.

I would suggest some research on 300b filament supply ac or dc.
Designers debate which is better.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 02:55 pm »

Quote from: opnly bafld on 27 Jul 2022, 02:09 pm

I would suggest some research on 300b filament supply ac or dc.
Designers debate which is better.

I suspect builders will say AC heating are better cause are simpler, use less parts, but if the user have a hi sensitivity speaker he maybe prefer DC.
Thats heating DC regulators boards also impacts negatively the sound.

morganc · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 03:03 pm »

The two within your price range that I've owned are the Coincident Frankensteins and the Audion Golden Dreams. There has been a used Audion on USA Mart for a while. It's $15k retail and now at $6k. The Audion is more linear and has more output. i first heard the Audion in LA at the home of a music insider who was a huge Zu fan and became hooked on its sound. I've owned the Coincident 3 separate times. Great Amp, just not quite enough power.

borism · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jul 2022, 03:13 pm »

There are two additional 300B amplifiers (not yet mentioned) that I've never heard but that got good reviews and are in your price range:

Feliks Audio Arioso 300B integrated amplifier through Upscale Audio (reviewed by Steve Guttenberg),
Aric Audio Super 300 SET (reviewed by Terry London)

It's nice to have so many choices. Good Luck!