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RE: Which SET is next logical "step up" from 300B?

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In Reply to: RE: Which SET is next logical "step up" from 300B? posted by Funky Bob on June 04, 2022 at 03:29:00

I'm not familiar with the boutique 300b tubes, just the "cooking" EH ones and some cheaper Chinese ones. I find the 300b a little euphonic overall and prefer it into 5K.
I prefer the more focussed sound of the 2a3. Or alternatively the 6B4G, which I use in the form of the Svetlana 6C4C which is a very good tube supposedly modelled on the RCA 2a3. So that's my personal choice. I use normal 2-way speakers so I need a 2a3 at least.
For high sensitivity speakers you have 801A and then 45, 46 and 47. High NOS prices and you may need to build the amp yourself or have it built. And then the modern replica tubes from various boutique makers. Very specialised and pretty costly. If you don't want to throw money at this I'd stay with 2a3/6B4G. And of course the input section matters hugely - get that right and you have your "step up".

Edits: 06/04/22

Follow Ups:

I have a mess of 801A's - Ivan303 13:06:01 06/04/22 (1)
but no idea what to do with them. Only need a couple watts what with 106db Edgar Horns.

Very happy with Doc Bottlehead's latest and greatest 2A3 monoblocks while running EML mesh 2A3's. Very clean, very quiet.

Yes, 300B can be 'colored', but it can be a pleasant color, at least in my experience.
- RE: I have a mess of 801A's - Jack G 06:21:57 06/06/22 (0)
  They are comparable to 10s. In fact, in my 10 SETs they were a direct replacement. In those amps, they put out 1 1/2 watts (though I think they can do more). Clean, and more linear than any 10s I've heard. They are, or at least used to be pretty cheap too. I've only heard the RCAs though. One of my all time favorite tubes. :-)
  Jack
Agreed - Jack G 07:45:13 06/04/22 (2)
I much prefer 2A3s to 300Bs. 801As are glorious. :-)
Jack
- RE: Agreed - Cut-Throat 16:50:02 06/04/22 (0)
  Agreed on the 2A3s.....And I much prefer 45 Amplifiers to 2A3. You should hear them on Very Efficient Horn Speakers. :-)
- Agreed too - lokie 12:39:19 06/04/22 (0)
  I agree with the above.
  
  You should put in the caveat of more power or less power.
  
  For the "more power" category I would look at the 211. The problem with 211's is that I dont think you can do 211's on the cheap. The only way to do this tube is with pricey tranny's.
  
  I also think there are couple of 300B's that are not quire created equal.. for example Audio Note's new 300B looks very interesting and reports to solve the euphoric "problem".

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