[ebag4]

Hi Gys,
I have a couple of threads here concerning my quest for my first SE amp.  I am now looking at potentially purchasing (instead of building) a DIY amp built on the GetSetGo board.  This amp can use 6B4Gs, 6A3s, or 300Bs with some minor mods.  It does not drive the 300B to full output (just 5 watts) and I have heard it referred to as a "baby 300B".  My question is: are these tubes (that are included with the amp) good?  I ask because if I go this route I will be paying a little more than I had planned or what the amp would cost me built with lesser tubes.  The 300Bs are stated to have about 100 hrs on them, looking at the Sophia site they appear to cost $350/pair.

BTW, This amp will be hi-passed at about 140Hz and driving the coaxials of my V1s (97dB).

The tubes in question are :
Sophia 300b Mesh plate tubes
Tung Sol Round Plate Balck GLass 6SL7s

Thanks,
Ed

[Scott F.]

Hiya Ed,

When you compare the Sophias to your run of the mill 300b you'll find that they sound a fair amount better. The Chinese versions can be hard and brittle on the top side compared to the Sophia. Also the Sophia is a little fleshier with more body in the midrange. To me they are worth the extra money over the inexpensive alternatives.

I can't speak with any real authority on the 6SN7s, only anecdotally (if that's a word). In the few amps I've had though the house that used the 6SN7, I thought the NOS TungSol was a fine sounding tube. I'd place it second to the NOS Sylvania for what that's worth.

[ebag4]

Hiya Ed,

When you compare the Sophias to your run of the mill 300b you'll find that they sound a fair amount better. The Chinese versions can be hard and brittle on the top side compared to the Sophia. Also the Sophia is a little fleshier with more body in the midrange. To me they are worth the extra money over the inexpensive alternatives.

I can't speak with any real authority on the 6SN7s, only anecdotally (if that's a word). In the few amps I've had though the house that used the 6SN7, I thought the NOS TungSol was a fine sounding tube. I'd place it second to the NOS Sylvania for what that's worth.

Thanks for the feedback Scott, much appreciated.  Coincidentally another one of the St Louis gang had a very similar response.

What are your thoughts on tube "rush" being audible through the 97dB coaxials that make up the top portion of the V1s?

Thanks again,
Ed

[Scott F.]

Hi Ed,

The tube noise is really a non-issue providing the amp design is solid. Sure, you have some but you have to put your ear up to the speaker to hear it on a quiet amp.

That said, most of us in SET land have several amps and at least one of them is what Deadfish refers to as a 'humming bastard'. Mine is my 2A3. She has hum pots and hums like a b*tch...sort of. Once you hit play, the noise is obscured by music. Granted, the hum on this amp is fairly loud (by some standards) but it's connected to a pair of 100+db Klipsch Cornwalls. Driving my Lowthers (150Hz and up), the hum is all but gone.

For me, the 'magic' of [even] my noisiest SETs outweighs the drawbacks of tube rush, but that is just me. You'll understand what I mean when everything is run in for a while and you spend some time with yours.