High powered single end 300b recommendations


I would like to try a se 300b integrated to find out what the famed sound is like. However, at 86db, my Harbeth S-HL5 are not very efficient. They need more like 25-30W to drive them.

 

Any recommendations on an 300b amp that will work with these speakers? 

mikedc

Showing 1 response by zazouswing

How low do those speakers go in ohms? As others have said, the 300B is usually used as a SET - and then limited to 8-16 wpc. The latter value is seen in parallel configurations. I recall seeing a push pull 300b design but can’t recall the maker. I have a Tektron integrated that uses 2-4 300b’s and gets 16wpc with 4. Highly recommended.  That being said, it also can take 45’s, 350’s, 2A3s, and equivalents.  I got it for the 300b’s, but after some swaping I found I preferred the 45’s. I would listen to a few options before committing to a tube type. 
 

If you do go the parallel route, keep in mind the cost. A high end 300b tube can get over $1,000. NOS is off the table due the popularity, matching requirement, and stigma behind it. If you can’t individually bias the tubes and need to replace a matched quad, then when 1 tube goes bad you’re in for a $4,000 bill. I have over 60 tube bed across 3 systems. I wish someone had told me that when I started