Art Audio Carissa Signature 845 or 300 b amp?

Mattzack2,
You can`t go wrong with either amp type. So very much depends on which particular brand/model. Within the genre of 300b amps there`s quite a bit of variation in terms of performance due to implementation,part quality, power supply,transformers etc. Same principle for the 845 amplifiers.Factor in different brands of the output tube for even more variables.

How sensitve and efficient is the speaker you`re drivung?A 845 tube outputs more power but a 300b may or may not sound better, it all depends. I`d say for 4000 dollars you`re likely to find 'more' choices of a quaility built 300b but if buying used you can find very good examples of both.

I use the Coincident Frankenstein MK II 300b SET 8 watts and it is superb. There`re other amps(like the Wavelength mentioned above) that I`m sure would make you quite satisfied. Jeff Day(Positive Feedback) loves the Sophia Electric 300b SET.It ultimately is amplifier-speaker matching.
Best of Luck,

Almarg makes a very good point.Mattzack2, as much as I admire my SET amplifier it`s not the 'ideal' choice for your Dali speaker. Al is right the Frankenstein does`nt have a 4 ohm transformer tap(8 and 16 ohms).The Frankenstein has an exceptionally stout power supply and premium over speced transformers. It`s asking a lot for this amp to drivr that speaker load and expect the best from the amp(or speaker) under these circumstances.

I agreed that the VAC REN amps are better suited for this Dali speaker and IMO would sound wonderful.As I mention in an earlier post amplifier-speaker matching is the key factor. To be clear I`ve driven 4 ohm speakers with my amp and it was a very good sound.I just believe the 300b push-pull VAC would handle lower loads even better yet(particularly with the lower sensitivity).

Mattzack2 if your speaker were more sensitive and had a higher ohms load I`d strongly recommend the Coincident Frankenstein without hesitation. For example my speaker is 94 db and has a 14 ohm load. the amplifier has complete control of this speaker and it just sings.
Regards,
Charles,

Jburidan,
A high quality 300b PP amplifier such as VAC,Canary,NAF etc. would be fine with this speaker I believe. If they better the Jadis is a matter of personal choice.I`ve heard the VAC REN amps and like them very much (they have exceptional power supplies and transformers).
Regards,

I really do enjoy open forum boards as there`s such a diversity of individual opinions and experiences discussed. I like the 45,2A3 and 300b tubes. Gordon Rankin(Wavelength Audio) has expressed his dislike of the 2A3 tube, he thinks it`s inferior to the 45 or 300b(I don`t agree). It all comes down to designer talent and implementation more so than what output tube is used. I`d like to hear a push-pull 2A3 amplfier(I`ve only have experienced SET versions). By the way, Wavelength does offer a 2A3 SET amplifier now so he`s likely found a 2A3 tube he considers acceptable.

Regards,
Charles