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300b INTEGRATED AMP Suggestions

This will be my first post here but I have enjoyed advice from this site for quite some time.  

After living for many years with the Rogue Cronus Magnum I am interested in downsizing a bit to a smaller, more finessed system built around a 300B integrated amp.  I am intrigued by what I have read about SET amps and given my small room and musical preferences I think this could be a fun switch.  I have been looking at the Cary CAD-300sei amp and am leaning that direction but wanted to put this out there to see what comes back before I jump.  (I like the reviews and the positivity around Line Magnetic as well, however I'd like to stay away from the 845 tubes for heat reasons)  My musical preference is generally around folk, singer/songwriter, jazz etc but not limited to.  My budget is around 5k new or used.

I know speakers are a huge part of this equation as well.  I currently have some KEF r5 speakers that I would likely be looking to replace with something from Zu's line depending on where I end up with an amp decision. 

I'd love to get any recommendations.
dholmes189
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
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.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks DAD, I needed to be straighten out.. I love Rolls-Royce thinking.

I’m just TOO CHEAP, plain and simple, knowing I’ll get there just as fast in my old pick up truck. A 100.00 flat tire is fine. A 1000.00 flat tire is not..

6V6 - KT90s have and will always serve well.. After that it’s all splash and "look at me" I got, 120, 150, 2000s(LOL) oh and 300s. It only took me 12 years. Western Electric 166a.. I had the best... No doubt..

They were special though..

Someone else has the best NOW.. I’m just fine with that. :-)

Until you hear my Cary V12r, then it's not the best anymore.. HUGE :-) 6V6-KT90s works just perfect.

Regards
abd1
156 posts
 
I've got a pair of Sophia Electric 91-01 mono block 300B SET amps that I might be willing to sell. I purchased because I wanted to experience the 300 SET sound, and it is fantastic. But, I have too many amps right now and am moving so might be interested in selling. Not an integrated but with your budget you could add a Sachs preamp and have an amazing setup. I have a Sachs preamp and I'm never getting rid of it.


dholmes189 OP
2 posts
 
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. Lots to process here and despite rising costs (of mostly everything in the world) I am still going to hold the course and pursue the 300b sound.  

I need to do a little more research and dig into quality of build and transformer spec as @charles1dad has suggested and then I should be able to base a decision from there.  

Again, thanks for the help and knowledge.  I am excited to join the club
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@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 
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