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Low watt tube amps/pros/cons

300B's, 845's and others. What are some of the benifits of these tubes as well as the limitations. I see someone posted that he has a 15 watt tube amp and wants to get 30hz bass. It is highly unlikely that his amp will deliver as low as 30hz, even if he did find a speaker that went to that level, would the bass have any authority? Also by saying I want to find a speaker that goes to 30hz hows the mids anf highs. IOW I'd never buy any speaker based on the fact that it goes to 25hz, its a package deal.
Back to the main idea here. Can anyone give a list of +'s and the ='s of the low watt tube amps. For myself its not something I'm interested in as all my listenings are classical, and I want the orchestras to sound full rich, dynamic, that is the low and high end extended. I heard a 300B amp, the Cayin, and was incredible with light jazz, blues, but for classical orchestral it fell flat and lifeless. The speakers were the Silverline Sonatas.
bartokfan

Showing 3 responses by herman

herman
2,282 posts
 
Bartok, I told you, and as I look at your other posts, others have also told you, that the 300B has nothing to do with what you heard. If you drove a BMW with a flat tire would blame the car for poor handling? You can't pair a low power amp and a low efficiency speaker and get good results.

Why do you post these questions and then completely ignore informed responses?
herman
2,282 posts
 
You auditioned a setup that is not even close to ideal for orchestral music. Even if the speakers have an impedance that is easy to drive, 93 dB speakers still require more than a few watts to get them going. I wouldn't dismiss low power amps based on a single audtion. Paired with the right speakers those amps will sound incredible with more than jazz and blues.

The pluses are just what you heard, incredible sound. The minus is they must be paired with the right speakers, if you can call that a minus since matching components is a must with any set up.

For myself its not something I'm interested in as all my listenings are classical, and I want the orchestras to sound full rich, dynamic, that is the low and high end extended.

These things are easily obtained with low power amps. One solution is to use a powered woofer for the lowest octaves. Avantgarde and other highly regarded speakers go this route. Take a look at my system. It delivers all you asked for and more.
herman
2,282 posts
 
These 300B & 845 SETs act as tone controls, & most are deficient in the bass & topend.

Attributing this to the tube is simply wrong. It comes from misinformed individuals who don't understand electronics especially the interaction of amps and speakers.

Amps that use these tubes are often paired with incompatible speakers and the combination can be deficient in the bass & top end. They are sometimes used in amps of poor design or that have poor output transformers. However, the tubes are capable of amplifying from near DC to way beyond what is audible. Used in a well designed amplifier they are not the limiting factor.
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