[sfox7076]

Well, I am not sure what the tube sockets look like, but you usually cannot plug the 300b wrong.  If you did plug it in wrong, tube may be blown.

[Servingthemusic.com]

So, my Masterpiece showed up today and the build is very solid on the unit.  My plan was to put the pre into my bedroom system which is just a little 12W amp with some bookshelves.  Plugged everything up in the bedroom, turned on the pre and blew the fuse immediately.

1st time owner of the 300B and did not realize the legs on the base on the tube are different lengths

Didn't plug them in properly.

Will report after I have a chance to replace the fuse.

Oh no!!! 

Glad the build is really good.

Looking forward to your findings once fuse is replaced.

Pics wld be great!

[sunnydaze]

Well, I am not sure what the tube sockets look like, but you usually cannot plug the 300b wrong.  If you did plug it in wrong, tube may be blown.

300B tubes have four pins,  two skinny,  two fat.   The socket has four holes,  with two having wider diameter for the fatter pins.   If one is not careful it is quite easy to insert the 300B reversed.   I don't know what happens to the amp / tube in that event.  Gratefully,  I've never done it!

[sfox7076]

The wider diameter of the front two pins makes it impossible to insert the 300B wrong in my amps/DAC. 

Shawn

[sunnydaze]

The wider diameter of the front two pins makes it impossible to insert the 300B wrong in my amps/DAC. 

Shawn

Yeah,  my porcelin sockets make it impossible as well.   But if you have the cheaper plastic sockets with metal clips in the holes,  it may be possible to insert the tube wrong?     

[sebrof]

I did it once with 2A3s, same pins as 300Bs.
Nothing broke.

[S1NN3R]

I'm happy with my Manley 300B preamp. I prefer to use it with the transformer for rock, pop, r&b, blues, reggae, hip hop and house music. OTL sounds better with jazz IMHO. I don't listen to classical so can't comment on that. Hope this helps.

[Escott1377]

The fuse popped.  99.9% confident things will work once I replace the fuse later today.  I've done worse with other pieces of tube gear and things were fine.  I literally saw flames when I had Manley Snappers - was learning how to bias with that event and things worked out fine in that situation

[FullRangeMan]

300B have four pins:
two thin = grid & plate
two fat = cathode heating

[sunnydaze]

Ummm,  four pins two fat and two thin,   I think that's already been stated.     

[Escott1377]

Oh no!!! 

Glad the build is really good.

Looking forward to your findings once fuse is replaced.

Pics wld be great!

Already swapped the stock 12 AU7's, next will be a pair of KR Audio's for the 300B.  Still WAY under th cost of the Manley.  Also may consider some cap upgrades.  I have a local shop that will do the work for me.  Any input on how the capacitors affect sound is appreciated.

[Escott1377]

FYI - this is not the main system where this pre will find its permanent home.

[rodge827]

FYI - this is not the main system where this pre will find its permanent home.

Do you have the Masterpiece up and singing yet?
Very interested in your findings.

Already swapped the stock 12 AU7's, next will be a pair of KR Audio's for the 300B.  Still WAY under th cost of the Manley.  Also may consider some cap upgrades.  I have a local shop that will do the work for me.  Any input on how the capacitors affect sound is appreciated.

Audio Note coupling caps are some of the best out there. I have had the Copper Caps in the past and like what they do.

Chris

[Servingthemusic.com]

Already swapped the stock 12 AU7's, next will be a pair of KR Audio's for the 300B.  Still WAY under th cost of the Manley.  Also may consider some cap upgrades.  I have a local shop that will do the work for me.  Any input on how the capacitors affect sound is appreciated.

Excellent, thank you. Great pics. Yes, even with premium upgrades well below the Manley. I'm inching closer to pulling the trigger myself.

[Escott1377]

Do you have the Masterpiece up and singing yet?
Very interested in your findings.

Audio Note coupling caps are some of the best out there. I have had the Copper Caps in the past and like what they do.

Chris

I am on the road this week and could not find a 1 A slow blow fuse on Sunday so should have a pack waiting for me when I return on Friday.

I am going to just put into my main system once it's up and running.

[Escott1377]

I am now using the Transcendent pre in my set up and it sounds very good.  Since this is my 1st foray into 300B's, I cannot comment on its performance vs. the competition.  The only other pre that I am aware of is the Manley offering.

The Transcendent replaces a Manley Shrimp and music sounds much different than with the Shrimp.

The music seems to be much more in the space, very open, almost holographic.

I've heard this is a characteristic of the 300B itself.

I have only been using it since Monday, but did replace the stock 12AU7's with a pair of French NOS tubes that I had laying around from Upscale.

On the Transcendent forum, most of the advice I have received is that a 300B replacement is not necessary.  I am sure I will forgo that advice in 2016 and replace them.

Right now I am letting things settle in on the system, hoping the caps will open up, tubes burn in.

I have thrown classical, jazz, rock, reggae, just about everything at it and I like the sound.

Thanks to all that led me in this direction.  I was able to slide this past the wife much easier than had I purchased the Manley unit.

Happy holidays to all -

[rodge827]

Great to hear that you like the Masterpiece!
I have been anxiously waiting for someone who isn't a TS fanboy to purchase and comment on one.
I like what the 300b tube does with music and I'm glad your experiencing it in your system.

Please continue to comment on the Masterpiece.

BTW what amp are you using?

Chris

[JimJ]

300B tubes have four pins,  two skinny,  two fat.   The socket has four holes,  with two having wider diameter for the fatter pins.   If one is not careful it is quite easy to insert the 300B reversed.   I don't know what happens to the amp / tube in that event.  Gratefully,  I've never done it!

Did that the first time with the SV811s, too. The tube didn't survive.

I'm looking at going DHT for my headphone amp next year, and definitely considering the Masterpiece...it's odd, Bottlehead makes a 300B pre that looks similar, but the output impedance is 500 ohms. Probably wouldn't be a great choice for cans.

[Escott1377]

Great to hear that you like the Masterpiece!
I have been anxiously waiting for someone who isn't a TS fanboy to purchase and comment on one.
I like what the 300b tube does with music and I'm glad your experiencing it in your system.

Please continue to comment on the Masterpiece.

BTW what amp are you using?

Chris

The Masterpiece is driving a pair of Wired 4 Sound mAmps on my woofers and a pair of PrimaLuna 6 on mids / tweets.  I also am running 2 x 300 W active subs from it w/ no problem.  Speakers are Von Schweikert vr4jr's with Albert's latest upgrade.

[Servingthemusic.com]

we should all be very thankful to eric for posting his impressions and documenting the ordering process. This is not a product you can buy in a shop and he deserves a lot of credit for taking the plunge..of course after doing his research.