[JoshK]

Thanks Bill, at least the KR's are worth the money. 

Buddy, I wouldn't bother with ever getting a 300B amp, since your 842HD amp would just need minor tweaking to become a 300B amp (or 300B-XLS even better!).  In fact if your 842's ever die, I'd probably opt for the 300B-xls's from KR and do some minor bias tweaking if needed. I am pretty sure the rest of the voltage and load is the same, cause as Gary said, its basically a 300B variant.

No, I am not working on a SET amp, but a PP class A DHT amp, Lynn Olson's Karna (nutshellhifi.com/triode1.html).  5687 > 45 > 300B...all PP, no signal/coupling caps, all iron interstage coupled.  Its a big (huge even) amp and very spendy to build.

[SET Man]

Buddy, I wouldn't bother with ever getting a 300B amp, since your 842HD amp would just need minor tweaking to become a 300B amp (or 300B-XLS even better!).  In fact if your 842's ever die, I'd probably opt for the 300B-xls's from KR and do some minor bias tweaking if needed. I am pretty sure the rest of the voltage and load is the same, cause as Gary said, its basically a 300B variant.

No, I am not working on a SET amp, but a PP class A DHT amp, Lynn Olson's Karna (nutshellhifi.com/triode1.html).  5687 > 45 > 300B...all PP, no signal/coupling caps, all iron interstage coupled.  Its a big (huge even) amp and very spendy to build.

Hey!

    Yes, it is possible to make my amp into regular 300B amp and I've been wondering about that and even asked Ron Welborne about it. It is possible for sure... won't be that easy. But I don't think I will ever do it. Unless I couldn't these high power tube anymore than I will do that. Well, I did paid premium price for these amps of which are designed around these high power tubes with Electra-Print tranformers to get about 18wch.

    BTW.... I do prefer the 842VHD over the 300BXL. Well, I bought my amp back in Dec. '99 and they came stock with KR 300BXL tubes of which I used for a few years than the 842VHD came out. As luck might have it.... Mr. Bubble my cat, back than he was a young cat and very active ran into one of the KR 300BXL hit it very hard caused the pin/tube base to bent and cause leak in that tube... I didn't know it was possible but it did.

    So, in stead of buying another pair 300BXL I opted to switch to 842VHD. And if my memory served me right. Comparing the sound between the two. I do like the 842VHD better. Between the two KR tube types. The 300BXL is more of what you would expect from a good Triode tube... no it is not tubey in the sense of what you would think of the old tube sound. Still much more open and more dynamic.

    But with the new 842VHD. These tubes are more dynamic than the 300BXL. Better extension on both end. The 300BXL sound a bit laid back compared to the 842VHD. But to me the 842VHD sound more open. And if I have to use a word from the Naim people to describe 842VHD compared to the 300BXL... than it would be that the KR 842VHD got more PRaT than the KR 300BXL

   So, yes I like the 842VHD in my amp, in my system and with my kind of musics... now that is a tube that can boogie and got PRaT. aa

   Hey! Josh.... you know you should stop by my place sometime to listen to my system. Let me know if you want to stop by.

Take care,
Buddy

PS

 I still have one good KR 300BXL in my closet so if anyone interested let me know

[TONEPUB]

Jeff, Pacific Creek rates that amp at 3.5mV background noise. Really??? That’s horrible! My Decware was that bad prior to needing a repair  (mod gone bad  ) and I could not stand it. After a trip to the SteveD’s, noise was reduced to about 1.5mV and its still a tad noticeable. In comparison, Decwares Torii is rated at about 0.5mV.

Oddly enough, when Jacob George was out here setting up my 2nd Rethms a while back, he remarked how quiet
the Pacific Creek was.  I haven't noticed it to be any noisier or quieter than any of the other SET's I've had around.

As for the 300B's, I would kind of agree with Josh.  While I have a pair of WE's, Sophias and EH, the EH are definitely
great as far as bang for the buck goes.

What I see as the main benefit to the WE is their life expectancy.  The folks at WE claim 40 thousand hours for a set of
their tubes as opposed to 3-6000 hourse for the Chinese and Russian tubes.  Granted, I don't know if I can verify any
of this, but if it is true, you are either paying up front or paying as you go.

Personally, I kind of see the 300B choice as somewhat of a tone control...  with each tube having its own sound,
you can custom tune your sound the way you prefer.  One system might be really good with WE, another might
warrant another choice.

Again, part of the SET fun/madness!!

In the long run, I guess I agree with Steve, who said he's never heard an SET he didn't like.  I guess you could
put me in that camp too.  Most audio reviewers really don't like the SET thing, but I have always enjoyed it
tremendously.  I just don't have the time and space to devote to it anymore. 

But my good freind Marc Phillips has a great SET setup, so I can always hang at his place to get the magic back!!

[Scott F.]

In the long run, I guess I agree with Steve, who said he's never heard an SET he didn't like.  I guess you could put me in that camp too.  Most audio reviewers really don't like the SET thing, but I have always enjoyed it tremendously.  I just don't have the time and space to devote to it anymore. 

Jeff,

You sort of allude to it but SET's are really finicky. They do take lots of time and patience to get set up properly. Once you do that, they are really really tough to beat. Once you have the system dialed in, seemingly minor changes can throw off the entire system balance. If you do SET's and you write (like we do), you really need to be careful what you accept for reviews.

I'm really lucky. I've set up several dedicated listening rooms in my house since my wife and I are essentially empty nester's. In the other rooms, I can run high or low powered stuff without upsetting the delicate balance on my SET rig. That and it always gives me that 'safe haven' I can retreat to and listen to what real music should sound like 

[tvyankee]

hey

the audio vista amp that is on this site is really kick ass for the money.i have heard it twice and i can tell for the amps i have heard its the best one i have heard for under $1500.00 bucks.he is having a sale and a money back program if you don't like.i think its a no brainer.

good luck.

http://www.vista-audio.com/

[boead]

hey

the audio vista amp that is on this site is really kick ass for the money.i have heard it twice and i can tell for the amps i have heard its the best one i have heard for under $1500.00 bucks.he is having a sale and a money back program if you don't like.i think its a no brainer.

good luck.

http://www.vista-audio.com/

EL84's are special. 

In the long run, I guess I agree with Steve, who said he's never heard an SET he didn't like.  I guess you could put me in that camp too.  Most audio reviewers really don't like the SET thing, but I have always enjoyed it tremendously.

Steve who? I know lots of people with others names besides Steve that have said the same thing. Also I put little trust in Audio reviewers, most have agendas.

[boead]

Peter McAlister is building me one of these.

SE32 Single Ended Class A Stereo Amplifier
Using Horizontal Output Tubes Paralled in Triode Mode with 15 Watts per Channel
$1100

Description:
The SE32 stereo single ended power amplifier utilizes a pair of horizontal output tubes paralleled in triode mode to produce 15 watts per channel. The input stage for each channel utilizes an improved Mu follower design that combines a 6DJ8 / 6ES8 in parallel as the voltage amplifier with a 6CL6 as the constant current source. This is a true constant current source that has more than enough gain to properly respond to the small signal / voltage changes without a resistor dropping large amounts of voltage typically in standard Mu follower designs.

Additionally a driver stage has been included which is a critical factor to ensure excellent low end response and a quick rise time. The driver stage uses a 6/12SN7 of which one triode provides regulation with the other triode directly driving the output tubes in a cathode follower configuration without the need for capacitors. The only capacitors in the signal path are between the input and driver stage which are high quality polypropylene. The output stage for each channel consists of two EL504/PL504 27GB5 horizontal sweep tubes paralleled in triode mode with class A operation. This output configuration can pass a large amount of current with harmonic distortion in dB relative fundamental of 2nd -26, 3rd -44, and 4th - 60. A separate and well regulated bias supply with external top mounted chassis adjustment is used

Please note the following comment regarding bias; Cathode/ automatic/ self biasing amplifiers use a large resistor impedance between the cathodes of the output tubes to ground. This raises the cathodes above the ground potential in effect creating the required negative grid number one voltage on the output tubes that determines the current flow and class of operation. Amplifiers with this type of bias do not require any adjustments when output tubes are replaced and are less expensive to the manufacture as no additional negative power supply or controls are required- just a cathode resistor and by-pass capacitor. With cathode biased amplifiers the speed and rise times are much slower due to the large value cathode resistor that is in series with the audio output. Further a large value electrolytic cap in parallel with this cathode resistor has to be used for a shunt AC path ground return and impedance reduction. Electrolytic capacitors in the signal path further degrade the sound quality.

Fixed negative bias supplies connect the output tube cathode to ground and have an additional negative voltage power supply. The negative voltage is adjustable and fed to the control grid of the output tube that determines the current flow and class of operation. All of my power amplifier designs use a fixed bias voltage that eliminates the cathode resistor and electrolytic by-pass cap producing an amplifier with fast rise times, superior dynamics and transparency. Bias adjustments are required whenever output tubes are replaced- I personally prefer to keep my bias controls inside the amplifier requiring the removal of the bottom cover to adjust the bias. As an option on customer demand I will make the bias adjustments accessible on the top chassis.

The output transformers are custom designed and hand wound with four primary and three secondary interleaved sections with each layer varnished prior to insulation. The power supply has over 2,000uf of capacitance by-passed with film capacitors- electrolytic capacitors are only used in the power supply and never directly in the signal path. Plate voltage is delayed 30 seconds to prevent cathode stripping. This automatic system uses a damper diode providing D.C. relay voltage through a controlled warm up. Quality Ceramic tube sockets, point to point wiring, IEC input, 5 way binding posts and NOS tubes complete the package. Tube compliment 2X 6DJ8 or 6ES8, 2X 6CL6, 2X6/12SN7, 4x EL504 / PL504 / 27GB5, 1X 6AX4
 
Build Features:
• Only film capacitors in the signal path- no electrolytic capacitors (only in power supply circuits).
• Thermal delay to prevent cathode stripping.
• Hardwired point to point.
• EL504/PL504/27GB5 horizontal output tubes that have lower harmonic distortion than 811, 300B 6550, EL34 etc and are more efficient than 300B’s. A minor modification will allow the use of a variety of different types such as the EL509/PL519 or 6KG6 currently produced in Russia.
• Aluminum one piece chassis construction finished in polyurethane black with a clear finish.
• Amplifier dimensions: 8”H x 20”W x 12”D

[Scott F.]

In the long run, I guess I agree with Steve, who said he's never heard an SET he didn't like.  I guess you could put me in that camp too.  Most audio reviewers really don't like the SET thing, but I have always enjoyed it tremendously.

Steve who? I know lots of people with others names besides Steve that have said the same thing. Also I put little trust in Audio reviewers, most have agendas.

boead,

I think Jeff was talking about (paraphrasing actually) something from one of my earlier posts. He likes to call me Steve (probably because of my editor)

When it comes to writing and having an agenda.....I think not. I take that back, I do have an agenda that I make clear in no uncertain terms in the articles I write....I love tubes in all shapes and sizes and even more so I love the purity SET's paired with wide/full range drivers.

OK, so I do have an agenda.....what of it 

[JoshK]

The input stage for each channel utilizes an improved Mu follower design that combines a 6DJ8 / 6ES8 in parallel as the voltage amplifier with a 6CL6 as the constant current source.

Just an FYI, the 6ES8 is a variable mu tube.  It is fine as a cathode follower but no good in gain stage.  Stick with the 6DJ8/6922. 

[opnly bafld]

Boead,

You WILL like it!
I received mine in January and I love it.
(the one in the picture you posted is actually mine; even though it has an SE44 face plate it really is an SE32)
If you want to know what it sounds like, just read Earlmarc's review of the McAlister PP150 he posted today.
Must be a family resemblance, I thought he was describing my amp after some time in the weight room.

Lin

[doug s.]

I had a Decware Taboo and sold it to Duggie.  He liked his Almarro A-205 better.  I found the Decware nice, but almost SS in its cleanliness.  Neither of these amps are true SETs though.

As you know, SETs vary significantly in power output.  Unless you like mellow music at quieter volume a 45 amp will probably run out of gas.  As your rockin' goes up the scale, you'll need more juice.  I think Sean at Zu likes 845-based SETs, which should put out in the neighborhood of 20 watts.

While the Druids are quite sensitive, I've heard they appreciate a little more juice in the caboose.  When I had mine I only used them with small amps.  In a large room, I found they can jump pretty high with 6 watts.  Could you get away with a 2A3?  Probably.  Would you want a 300B sound?  I wouldn't (generally) but you might.

Does the Fi give you the choice of 45s or 2A3s?

It would be hard to wrong with the Almarro.

yes, i bought mike's decware taboo, & it didn't hold a candle to my almarro a205a mkll, which has a coupla hovland musicaps installed in place of the stock caps.  i got what i still think to be a fantastic deal, at <$600 shipped.

if you have efficient speakers, it's really hard for me to imagine getting anything much better at any price.  different, mebbe, but better?  hmmm...  my 97db-efficient coincident victory's really sing w/that amp.  nothing lacking anywhere - soundstaging, detail, smoothness, dynamics...  6moons audio has compared the diminutive almarro amp to the costlier yamamoto a-08s amps...

as a caveat, i must say that i do not run my monitors full-range - they are crossed over at anywhere from 50-80hz (depending on which speaker i am using) w/a marchand xm9 to a pair of s/s electrocompaniet amps driving a pair of the older upright megawoofer'd vmps larger subs...

i can also put in a plug for el84 amps in general.  from the cheap chinese ebay integrated amps, (exactly like the sophia baby, but ~$200 or less shipped), to a custom-made euro set amp, made from nos 50's euro electronics, to a pair of set amps salvaged from an akai m8 reel-to-reel tapedeck, all the el-84 amps i have tried sound great...

doug s.

[eric the red]

so who are you??? doug s. or duggie??? why would you care what duggie say??? I could have sworn doug s. got banned from here awhile back...

[doug s.]

so who are you??? doug s. or duggie??? why would you care what duggie say??? I could have sworn doug s. got banned from here awhile back...

duggie is my evil twin.  if it were not for him, i never woulda gotten banned in the 1st place...   

doug s.