[Kw6]

Hi Tube Afficianonos!

Say to were to get SE parallel monos between 7-10 watts. What tube is more better for wide range of music. No classical music. Thanks 😊

[sfox7076]

Why paralleled tubes when you can get a 300B to push 8W without paralleling them?   I have never met a 2A3 I have liked.  I guess I would vote paralleled ultra linear EL84s. 

[Kw6]

But isn't 300b more romantic sounding and doesn't have the bass and drive? What is your take on the sound of the 2a3 tube? I thought 2a3 was combination of 300b and 211? Thanks!

[sfox7076]

I think bad 300Bs get bad raps.  So do bad drivers.  The 6SN7 driven garbage out there has caused a ton of bad reviews. Get a C3G or 10Y driven 300B.  It has great, defined bass. I would do push-pull 6L6s if I wanted a non-SET sound.  And, well, why Paralleled EL84s when you can do 6L6s.  What speakers are you driving?

[Kw6]

What is sound of 6L6?

[Kw6]

Snell type K

[planet10]

Execution is very important. I have heard los of over syrupy 200B SE amps, but it is the execution not the tube in particular. The 2A3 amps i have heard (few) have been very good. An EL84 is good but in a whole different price class.

This AM i hooked up my mighty (3.2w at clipping) PP Class A triode EL84 amp. Spectacular within its limited power.

I am not a big fan of parallel output devices.

2A3 is good for about 3.5 w, EL84 a bit less than 2 w in SE triode, the scade feedback SE amp we built outperformed triode with about 5w. 300B is good for 5-8 w.

After many tube amps my main amp is noe a Firstwatt SIT-3 (SE SS)

It is important with high output impedance amplifiers to choose speakers carefully, either very flat impedance or a speekaer designed to expect highish output impedance (Fostex FEXX6 for instance).

dave

[planet10]

Snell Type K

Could only find the impedance measre of Snell Type K/II. If we assume that the curve is similar, this speaker is not well suited to a high ioutput impedance tube amp. You will likely hear that huge impedance peak at the XO.



If you ar elooking to an SE amp, more suitable speakers might be appropriate.

dave

[Kw6]

Ok thanks Dave! So basically you like single ended triode one tube per side no parallel. So basically get single ended preamp and use a Sit J2. What you think of GM70 tube se?

[Kw6]

So I take it you don't like 300b driving big output tubes like 845/805/211? Like Cary monos.

[FullRangeMan]

I would suggest two EL34 PSE,
6W SÉ,  15W PP. Very cheap tube, not expensive as 300B.

[planet10]

Ok thanks Dave! So basically you like single ended triode one tube per side no parallel.

I do not like paralleled tubes or SS. PP & SE are often quite different, execution is key.

What you think of GM70 tube se?

SITs and other old & new (we hope) are so far the closest SS device to having a triode-like transfer curve.

GM70 i have no opions on except that the jigh voltage makes for a pricwy amp with a more desdly PS.

dave

[planet10]

So I take it you don't like 300b driving big output tubes like 845/805/211? Like Cary monos.

That has been well done. I have heard a 300B used as a driver for a MOSTFET output stage running at tube-like voltages, output & interstage transformers. Sounded really good.

dave

[Kw6]

Fullrangeman,

How would you describe sound of parallel El84 compare to 300b. I'm currently using the Cayin 300b integrated. Looking for something to dethrone it.😊

[FullRangeMan]

I have not listened EL84,
Decware have great amps with EL84
+1 on GM70 very reliable tube.

[planet10]

Decware have great amps with EL84

They have a pretty good public recognition, but the actual execution does not stand out. I would not buy a Decware.

dave

[FullRangeMan]

I have seen the transformers are small (Edcor ).

[Kw6]

Ok but I thought 2a3 tubes and the most meat on bones sound with delicate detail like 300b. I never heard 2a3 so you guys would know better than me.

[Docere]

Ok but I thought 2a3 tubes and the most meat on bones sound with delicate detail like 300b. I never heard 2a3 so you guys would know better than me.

The 300B traditionally has been described as more "meat on the bones" or softer or psychedelic or colourful or coloured or... than the 2A3. The 2A3 has a reputation for being a more direct, perhaps neutral, perhaps unemotional sounding tube.

But really, these are just generalisations. My listening/experience and opinions of people I trust tell me that tube manufacture, operating points, circuit and build all matter.

I reckon by using the right driver and running the right 300B at 1:6 to 1:7 plate mA:V ratios (e.g. 50mA/350V, 60mA/400V) at 5K load (SE) would give a rather 45-like (not same) with 4-8W power and lowish distortion. I believe that when done right, they are a most competent, nice-sounding tube.

For 2-4W, I've gotten really nice sound from the 2A3, but I don't run classic operating points and have chosen a driver with a saturated tonality and big sound. An interesting thing about the 2A3 is that its 3.5W is rated at 5% distortion - it actually produces over 5W before nearing 0V at the grid. A 2A3 could be considered a moderate-high distortion (for DHT) 5W output tube... or a 2.5W low-moderate distortion output tube having 100% headroom (which is how I see it).

[FullRangeMan]

The 300B traditionally has been described as more "meat on the bones" or softer or psychedelic or colourful or coloured or... than the 2A3. The 2A3 has a reputation for being a more direct, perhaps neutral, perhaps unemotional sounding tube.

How different human beings are in my country 2A3 is called the Triode of emotion.

What drivers are usually used to drive 45/2A3 ?