"So when you compare you’ll see that a lot of these smaller “one man show” builders put A LOT of love into their builds . If you think of the time to build an amp like that or the one I’m having built it’s really a solid value"
@oddiofyl, Agree! The potential downside is the risk of lower value when selling it used due to lack of name /brand recognition. People tend to gravitate toward the bigger and more familiar names in the used market. There are exceptions sometimes.
Usually however many who own these custom built labor’s of love tend to be very happy with them and keep them for the long term.
Charles |
@dholmes189,
Congratulations!!! That's an excellent decision and Aric will build you a superb sounding 300b SET amplifier. He'll definitely guide you right in regard to output transformers and high quality part options.
Charles |
"And for all you SET guys I should say right now I’m listening to Claude Hopkins "Lowdown" on a 2a3 amp, but a pushpull 2a3 amp. It sounds fantastic and there are many ways to skin a cat in audio. If you need more power parallel SETs and well designed pushpull amps can also sound great"
@jond +1, many roads lead to Rome.
Charles |
@oldhvymec ,
Thanks for sharing that story. You have every reason to be as proud of your son as you are. Major medical situations regrettably don't always end well.
Charles
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"I am excited to join the club"
@dholmes189 welcome aboard and very happy to have you😊.
You are approaching this the right way. Take your time, investigate and gain knowledge. Your budget will get you an exceptionally good sounding 300b SET.
Charles |
@oldhevmec,
You're just fine and we all are recounting our unique and specific experiences and perspective. I understand where you are coming from. I've had numerous types of tube amplifiers that I owned or had extensive exposure to. For me the 300b SET experience has been the most emotionally and musically fulfilling that's all.
Charles |
@three_easy_payments
I have the Coincident Frankenstein MK II 300b SET mono blocks that I bought new in 2009. I am using the EML XLS 300b. Other excellent 300bs I’ve had are Takatsuki, Elrog and Vaic 300b variant 32b.
I’ve had on loan from friends to audition the Sophia Electric Royal Princess, KR XLS 300b and 1980s vintage Western Electric 300b. All of these upper tier 300b sound splendid with their individual sonic signature/characteristics.
@oddifyl that Tool Shed amplifier I bet is going to sound fantastic!
Good luck,
Charles |
Precisely why it’s strictly a matter of individual taste and objectives. A talented and knowledgeable amplifier designer and builder can choose from a variety of output tube types and create a fabulous sounding amplifier. 300b, 45, 2A3, 211, the list can go on and on. People can post here and say this tube sounds better than that tube. You will never establish universal consensus, Taste is personal (As only it could be).
If someone doesn’t like the 300b or believes that it is too expensive, okay that’s fine and understood. The OP expressed a specific interest in 300b SET amplifiers and I can completely understand this and yes encourage and support him. The premium tier 300bs are expensive and in my opinion worth it. You receive superb sound quality and impressive tube life longevity. An excellent tradeoff in my estimation.
If the OP had shown an interest in an el 34, 845, PX 25. or whatever I would support that endeavor as well. There are so many terrific directions one can elect to pursue that can result in excellent outcomes. The superb 300b happens to be one of them.
Talented builder + good design and implementation +high quality parts= very good sounding amplifier. Best of luck @dholmes189 (The OP). You’ll love a 300b SET amplifier if you decide to acquire one.
Charles |
@dholmes189,
There is a talented American builder Aric Audio who could build you a terrific 300b SET integrated amplifier. You have the flexibility to choose and upgrade output transformers and other specific parts.
Charles |
@facten,
Thanks, that's the link I wanted @dholmes189 to see.
Charles |
@jond,
I know that you live in the vicinity of Deja Vu Audio. I have never had the pleasure of visiting them but they certainly have quite the word of mouth reputation. I'd loved to have been there to hear the magical presentation of the iconic "Something Else"
Charles |
"I will never stray from SET"
So well put @isochronism. That’s exactly where I find myself after 12 beautiful years of owning my 300b SET. @jond I bet that combo you heard was "really excellent ".
Given the direction @dholmes189 is headed he has the opportunity to assemble a truly superb sounding audio system. As long as he resists the (potential) temptation to sacrifice true quality to save a few dollars 😊.
Charles |
@three_easy_payments
My fault, I was trying to provide a link for a "new" review on Mono and Stereo 2021) . You are correct that 210ia has been in the LM line up for awhile and is well established.
Charles |
@dholmes
Line Magnetic definitely offers 300b SET integrated.
Very intriguing new model ."Line Magnetic Audio 210IA integrated amplifier review NEW"
This is from their upper tier Silver series, better power supply and output transformers. Very high quality and heavy duty parts and construction. 5K new.
You have a plethora of excellent quality choices new/used in your price range.
For a small sample,
New, Coincident Dynamo MK III 300b.
Used, Mastersound Compact 300b
Trafomatic Experience 300b
Audion Audio 300b
Allnic T-1500 300b
Melody Audio 300b
Audio Space MK II 300b
The list can go on and on for good quality 300b integrated amplifiers for 5k or less.
My advice is pay attention to the level of quality regarding output transformers and power supply..
These are crucial parameters for SET amplifiers. This is the last area you want to go cheap. Be certain to have speakers that are reasonably high sensitivity. In a smaller room 92 db and higher is preferable. Equally as important is an easy speaker impedance characteristics/load.
A good quality well implemented 300b SET will bring your music to life . Excellent realism if done correctly.
Charles
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