Anyone prefer EL34 over 300B?


Trying to decide if I'm likely to like a 300B tube amplifier more than the EL34 I have now.  I really like the EL34 but if there was a good chance I'd like the 300B even more I'd buy one. I listen to audiophile test recordings such as  "Chasin the white line down" by Dave's True Story, and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Dead Can Dance along with the likes of Pink Floyd and Supertramp.  I tend to focus on the vocals and the soundstage.  I use only Tidal Premium. 

Any information would be appreciated.  
chinook9

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

Atmasphere is spot on regarding sensitivity.  Check out the SPL rating of every Tekton speaker conducted by Stereophile.  They always show a noticeable reduction in the actual SPL rating vs. reported.  

This doesn't make the speakers bad in any way, it just means you need a bit more oomph to drive them.  I am not sure you need 60-100 watts for music listening.  In most rooms 50w will deliver 105dB of output and 25dB will give you 102 dB at 10' from the listening position.  

I don't think a 300B SET will deliver what you are looking for.   A 300B parallel SET delivering 16 to 18w might be enough but that is cutting it close with 100dB of output.   I think some higher powere SETs using 520Bs, 845s or ever 1605s will get you the output you need.  THe 520B and 1605 will be closer to a 300B while an 845 is just more linear and is not going to be your liking most likely.