Jond,
Now that we know the budget the recommendations can be much more specific. The current available version is the Dynamo MK II and is reported to be noticeably improved. Bigger and better chassis, power supply capacitance and better transformers. Worth the extra 200 dollars over the original version per reviewers. Runs the el 34 single ended for 8 watts.
Charles, |
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This is why I inquired about price range in an earlier post as it's a major factor.if your budget is roughly 1500 USD then virtually all of the amplifiers listed earlier will exceed that range by a substantial amount.
The Sean Casper F2a amplifier could very possibly be a good one. The F2a isn't a DHT (directly heated triode) but is a German Siemens Pentode type tube. Shindo used this tube in two of their power amplifiers(Shinhonia and Cortese). This would suggest to me that it's a very good sounding tube. It is reputed to be a very durable and long life tube as well.
I'd try to get in touch with Sean Casper to gain further information on his amplifiers. They’re American made and claim to use good parts and transformers. I believe that it's worth checking out. Any amp much less costly "may"compromise on parts and built quality.
Charles, |
If you take a look at usaudiomart.com you'll find lots of tube amps in your price range. Some here as well. Finding the right one will be tough. As to your query about that Far East gamble, Triode Lab's other business is fixing and upgrading and troubleshooting lesser quality tube amps. Their bills are very reasonable for the amount of work they do but they are amazed at what passes for QC in some of their repairs. All the best, Nonoise |
How's this one on eBay? I know buying stuff from the Far East is a gamble. This guy is just two hours away from me. How does the guts look?
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$5K yikes! Thats a lot of overtime. Anything close 90% around the $1K mark?? (really being optimistic here) |
There's also this latest review on the Triode Lab 2A3is that set me to drooling. Its sounds like it might be right up your alley. The article goes on to mention that if you call them and let them know what speaker you have, they can tailor it to the speaker and within your budget. All the best, Nonoise |
....just started reading. So much out there, so many opinions. How do I decide? (this is actually a self-diagnosed neurotic condition I have- I have a hard time deciding)
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Ramoneo14,
That question has been debated since the invention of the DHT tubes and is yet to be settled. Each type of DHT has its advocates and detractors. Within the same family you'll hear very distinct differences of individual brands of tubes as well as different amptolifiers due to implementation etc. Want to do some interesting reading? Google 300b vs 2A3 vs 45 which sounds the best. You'll be reading a long time 😁. All can be excellent sounding, I'm a fan of the 300b for its tone,bloom liveliness and naturalness. By no means will I knock the other terrific DHT tubes as it is a personal preference issue. My 300b amplifier took my listening enjoyment to a higher level when I bought it 7 years ago.
Charles, |
16 ohms speaker impedance is ideal (generally speaking this means easier load for the amplifier to drive). I agree with Jond, on paper this speaker "should " be an excellent match with the vast majority of SET amplifiers. |
Since my speakers are VERY efficient, is the 300b still the "best" tube to use? Is there anything "better" at 1 watt or so? I want that warm bloom that I heard once, music just coming alive like I've never heard it. 300b vs 45 vs others? |
From what I could find online looks like your driver is over 100db efficiency and 16 ohms impedance so you should be able to drive it with virtually any good single ended amp even down to 1 watt or so. A stiff power supply means the power supply is robust and typically way over spec for the amp in question.
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Hello Ramoneo14,
If your speakers sensitivity is in the vicinity of 102 db thats very impressive. With a 300b SET amplifier you’d hardly ever get outside of the 1 watt range of power usage. In reality you’d be using only small fractions of 1 watt. Your amplifier is coasting at this power level and the distortion is nearly unmeasurably low as well. Most 300b SETs have 6 to 10 watts of power thus the headroom factor is considerable.
Bradf posted a list of of companies that offer high quality amplifiers with established reputations, also the Allnic and Border Patrol amplifiers mentioned earlier. A few more quality brands are Thoress, Ocellia,Wavelength, Sophia Electric, Audion , Concert Fidelity, there are more. Certainly there are differences between various brands brands and their models.
However what this list has in common is very good quality design, part quality (P. Supplies and output transformer) solid track records. Definitely lots of choices and it takes some time to sort thorough them and gain some degree of familiarity. The 300b SET amplifier niche is very alive and plentiful.
Charles, |
I pulled the full range single driver and it is an AER MK1 which from what I read is (can be) a great speaker with the right enclosure/baffle (for $2500/pair it better be). Again these AERs are in a Hedlund Horn (feel free to search Google pics) so no crossover.
As far as efficiency, not sure how to measure this or where to find as the AER website has no specs- any help would be appreciated. If I had to guess it would be in the 102db range.
So what is a good 300b design? What makes a "stiff" power supply? What’s a good output transformer? What specs should I look for? None of the suggested 300b manufacturers mentioned share their circuit design nor parts list. Is it better to have one built to match specs for the AER speaker?
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I agree with Charesdad if you know the efficiency of your horns and if the crossover is complex? I think you have to get that decided before you go forward with your tube power. Beware that the design of an SET amplifier is as important as the tube selection. Not all are created equal. Best of luck, gwalt |
I would certainly also recommend Deja Vu Audio, fantastic single ended amps using a mix of new and vintage parts, talk to Vu he's incredibly knowledgeable about amp/speaker matching and horns in particular. No affiliation just a very satisfied customer. http://dejavu-audio.com/index.html |
Lak,
Yes the Allnic is , another fine choice. In the current market of 300b SET ampliifiers there is an abundance of quality products. |
In addition to the suggestions above, you might also want to consider the Allnic brand. They make some nice 300B amps and integrated 300B.
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Ramoneo14,
Congratulations on acquiring your new horn speakers. Your speakers may be efficient and sensitive enough to be adequately driven with a 45 or 2A3 SET amplifier, how sensitive is the speaker?
I’m more familiar with 300b SET amplifiers and fortunately for you there are many High quality choices available. Gwalt mentioned the necessity of a "stiff"power supply and he’s correct. I would add that output transformer quality is a crucial factor. The Border Patrol amplifiers he cited and my Coincident Frankenstein MK II SET are two examples of very high quality 300b amplifiers, there are certainly other fine choices as well.
Do you have a specific budget? Be careful with lower priced SETs, there are good value amps to find as long as corners aren’t cut in regard to power supply and transformer quality. If you exercise some patience and do some reading and research you’ll find a very good match for your speakers. You're on the right pathway, a high quality 300b SET will provide you with superb music reproduction.
Good luck,
Charles, |
I am not familiar with your horns or the drivers involved but you do have a big room. Since there is a popular play in 300B tubes manufactured today with many choices I would check a 300B with a stiff power supply for bass control. There is a Border Patrol EXD powered amp. on the gon right now and with the EML 300B I predict you would be very happy if you can afford that quality. BP can and will drive some other speakers. Best of Luck gwalt |
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