2. amps-preamps
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tubes and current

hi all, I current use a 300B SET with a pair of B&W805 D3 sounds good but with obviously drawback that the B&Ws love high current and the 300B SET can only do so much.  I've been saving up for a second tube amp for large orchestral music and when I want lush full body sound.

I've been looking between EL34/KT88 amps with 4 tubes vs 8 tubes.  I have borrowed a 4x EL34 tube amp before and there was more than enough volume for me, so I don't need 8x tubes for more volume.  What I'm wondering is if 8x tubes would produce 1.5x-2x the current produced or is that really just a design of the amplifier not directly related to number of tubes.

Otherwise, any high current tube amp you guys like below $2500 used or new?  
Is it worth trying 300B push pull or 845 SET?

Thanks.
hifineubee

Showing 3 responses by lilmsmaggie

lilmsmaggie
273 posts
 
+1 for the Quicksilver mid-mono’s. I’ve recently seen these 40w wonders drive a pair of M-series Sound Lab’s. Both the audio dealer AND Sound Lab were impressed by that feat. OTOH - Melikes KT88 vs EL34

With with respect to 845's.  The only amp with that tube that I've seen and heard are deHavilland 845-G SET mono's.

Enjoy!
lilmsmaggie
273 posts
 
I don't have the electrical/electronic chops to answer, maybe someone else will have to provide an answer but it seems the amplifier design,  power supply and transformer that will determine current.

I don't think "high current" determines what your speakers see. 

Speaker impedance (resistance) come into play.   Room size comes into play.

Your B&W's have a nominal impedance of 8 Ohms.   With a recommended amplifier power rating of 50 - 120W into 8 Ohms unclipped.

As long as you match the speakers impedance to the amplifier in use, so that the amp is not working overtime, you should be fine.  It's when we ignore the manufacturer's parameter's that we get into trouble.


lilmsmaggie
273 posts
 
Here is more info on the Quicksilver Mid mono amp.  There is also a 
230 volt/50Hz version:

Power Output: 40 watts into 4 or 8 ohms

Power Bandwidth: 16 Hz to 35 KHz

Input Sensitivity: 1.25 volts

Input Impedance: 100 K ohms

Power Consumption:
105 watts at idle
210 watts at full power

Tube Complement: 1 12AX7 input, 1 6922 driver, 2 EL34 outputs


I believe all Quicksilver amplifiers have the same input impedance.   Input sensitivity does vary.
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