[Freo-1]

OK, what is your favorite SET output tube?  Are you a fan of the directly heated triode, or something a bit later in development? 
 
Each tube type  has a sonic signature that goes with the design, so looking for folks to pass along just what it is about their favorite tube that draws you into the music.

[FullRangeMan]

Apart from the big DHT Triodes, I like the 6C33 by the sheer power, great sound and low output impedance, which means a low price output transformer, or even OTL.
Iam out of Pentodes, PushPull or UltraLinear, but I like to listen it in the friends house.

[DaveC113]

My amp runs el34 and kt88/6550s, either UL or Triode strapped.

I run el34s in triode mode 99% of the time. The kt88/6550s in UL do put out more power though, that's what I'd use if I wanted to play dance music real loud.    That doesn't happen very often.   

As far as the DHTs, I'd like to try them but money is an issue. I built the amp I'm using right now myself, and I'd need to spend over $2k to top it, otherwise I feel I'll only get a different amp that's not necessarily better. Maybe some day...

[JackD201]

GM70

was RCA 2a3 but I don't have the speakers for them to do their best.

[56oval]

Hi

I really like the 45 but very low powered ,next 2a3 and 300B abit more juice to play with .And then theres the 845 ,211 and I liked the sound of the 4212 .

If you need more grunt you can always PP the triodes  .Or  go active using low powered triodes  .

Cheers

[Quiet Earth]

Yeah, that's sort of what I was thinking.

I have heard the 45, the 300B, the 211, and the 845 output triodes and I like them all. I have stuck with my 300B for a long time because, like Goldilocks, it's not too much and not too little. It's just right.

I am fascinated with the beauty and rightness of the 45, but I fear that it may not be enough power for me most of the time.

I am awestruck by the power and control of the 211, but a little voice inside of me says that I would hardly ever excersize it. That's a lot of heat to just sit in idle.

The 300B seems to be a good place for me. Still, I sometimes wonder about a single 2A3. Would that get me closer to a 45 but still have enough umph? I don't know.

All in all, I think that what makes one output tube stand out more than the other is really the amplifier that it resides in, not the output tube itself.  But I get the point of this post. Which flavor do you like? That's a tough one. They are all a little different.

[FullRangeMan]

Hi

I really like the 45 but very low powered ,next 2a3 and 300B abit more juice to play with .And then theres the 845 ,211 and I liked the sound of the 4212 .

If you need more grunt you can always PP the triodes  .Or  go active using low powered triodes  .

Cheers

Hello,
What a great thread. GM70 and 212E are big contenders in the power output position, one cost 18euros other 2K dollars(Gulp!).
At least the 212 socket is cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pin-Giant-Tube-Socket-for-4212E-212E-Tubes-/380355997471?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item588efbef1f
Do you would inform us how is the 212E or 4212E sound??
Thanks

[56oval]

Hello,
What a great thread. GM70 and 212E are big contenders in the power output position, one cost 18euros other 2K dollars(Gulp!).
At least the 212 socket is cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pin-Giant-Tube-Socket-for-4212E-212E-Tubes-/380355997471?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item588efbef1f
Do you would inform us how is the 212E or 4212E sound??
Thanks

HI
If you like the sound of most of the big triodes I think you will like it but do you want to play around with HV .Heres an amp a mate built for a friend of his the HT @ 1300VDC .


 The trouble with tube gear is you could use the same output tube but use different circuits and have a different tonal quality ,I think its a case of pic your poison and match with the speaker with an easy load for the amp .
Like the KT88 drive on the left  .

Heres my mates blog  http://web.me.com/blackart/Site_2/Blackart_Audio_Blog/Blackart_Audio_Blog.html  and some of the work he does .

Lucas drew up all my circuits and makes all the iron I need so I can build my amps .

Cheers

[56oval]

Nice glow


Heres my mates blog
http://web.me.com/blackart/Site_2/Blackart_Audio_Blog/Blackart_Audio_Blog.html

He's drawn up all of my circuits and has made all the iron for my projects .
 SOme 300B's I've tried for the amps

CHeers

[56oval]

Double post 

[gsm18439]

I went from 45 to 2a3 to 300b. I am currently using Takatsuki TA-300b; if you like the 300b, you need to hear the Takatsukis.

[FullRangeMan]

56OVAL: Thanks for the nice photos.  I read in Japan the AD1(now ressurect by Emission Labs) is the tube rated best sound by audiophiles, even better than 2A3 & 300B.

[Quiet Earth]

if you like the 300b, you need to hear the Takatsukis.

Got a link with more info? Are these the rare and unobtainable tubes going for two grand USD???

[TrungT]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=87830.0
http://highfidelity.pl/@main-206&lang=en

[gsm18439]

Got a link with more info? Are these the rare and unobtainable tubes going for two grand USD???

http://www.amtrans.co.jp

[56oval]

I went from 45 to 2a3 to 300b. I am currently using Takatsuki TA-300b; if you like the 300b, you need to hear the Takatsukis.

Hi gsm

Maybe at a latter stage I might track down a pair of TA-300b but their as little bit rich money wise for me at the moment  . I believe circuits can make more an an improvement than just the glass .My tweeter 300B SET's have 2 power supply's and 2 chokes  and the 300B SET's running the midrange has 3 power supply & 10 chokes per channel  ,irons good for you  .

I have a pair of PP amps to build for the bass drivers so no money for expensive 300B's  .

Cheers

Mal

[Poultrygeist]

I once heard the 2a3 described as a beautiful sophisticated but delicate woman while the 300b was an athletic 20 year old male full of vim and vigor.

[FullRangeMan]

In my country the 2A3 is called the Triode of Emotion, which is very appropriate.

[Scott F.]

I've done 45s, 2a3s, 300Bs and 211s. I still run 2a3s and 300Bs but my favorite SET tube is the 50. It's lovely. Lush yet detailed. Lots of body, delicate clean highs and weighing in at around 5 watts works right fine with my HiEff speakers. In the right circuit with the right parts, there is no better...to my ears. If I had to use one word to describe the 50 it would be liquid.

Good luck finding NOS ones. They're getting pretty rare. One of these days I'll convert a spare pair of 300B monoblocks I've got to 50s...one of these days 

[FullRangeMan]

I unaware you are a tube amp builder, good to know it, maybe useful in a future project.
Do you already made a 6C33 SET??