2. amps-preamps
  3. 168991-162543

300b INTEGRATED AMP Suggestions

This will be my first post here but I have enjoyed advice from this site for quite some time.  

After living for many years with the Rogue Cronus Magnum I am interested in downsizing a bit to a smaller, more finessed system built around a 300B integrated amp.  I am intrigued by what I have read about SET amps and given my small room and musical preferences I think this could be a fun switch.  I have been looking at the Cary CAD-300sei amp and am leaning that direction but wanted to put this out there to see what comes back before I jump.  (I like the reviews and the positivity around Line Magnetic as well, however I'd like to stay away from the 845 tubes for heat reasons)  My musical preference is generally around folk, singer/songwriter, jazz etc but not limited to.  My budget is around 5k new or used.

I know speakers are a huge part of this equation as well.  I currently have some KEF r5 speakers that I would likely be looking to replace with something from Zu's line depending on where I end up with an amp decision. 

I'd love to get any recommendations.
dholmes189
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,488 posts
 
I'm having a ToolShed 300b built now....
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Not a ONE.. 

After 116As in the 90s I gave up the ghost..

Great 300 valves are starting to have NUTSO prices.. WE at 500.00 a pair (90s) was thought to be NUTS. 1500 - 2000.00 for 80% original 300s.

NO, plain and simple NO... Way to many other valves that sound better at 1/10th the price. They were never meant for music, they were meant for voice transmission over long distances and extreme longevity..

If your really stuck on 300s look at Cary for the money.. They sound good at least.. Almost as good as modified WE 116a

Regards
rwanda
67 posts
 
I agree...300b have gone thru the roof in price and quality. There are other tubes out there that are also great and sound amazing.
I was on the 300b merry go round for over a decade....then I switched to an integrated 2a3...never looked back.
Also the Almarro 318b is a great set with a bit more oomph!
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Precisely why it’s strictly a matter of individual taste and objectives. A talented and knowledgeable amplifier designer and builder can choose from a variety of output tube types and create a fabulous sounding amplifier. 300b, 45, 2A3, 211, the list can go on and on. People can post here and say this tube sounds better than that tube. You will never establish universal consensus, Taste is personal (As only it could be).

If someone doesn’t like the 300b or believes that it is too expensive, okay that’s fine and understood. The OP expressed a specific interest in 300b SET amplifiers and I can completely understand this and yes encourage and support him. The premium tier 300bs are expensive and in my opinion worth it. You receive superb sound quality and impressive tube life longevity. An excellent tradeoff in my estimation.

If the OP had shown an interest in an el 34, 845, PX 25. or whatever I would support that endeavor as well. There are  so many terrific directions one can elect to pursue that can result in excellent outcomes. The superb 300b happens to be one of them.

Talented builder + good design and implementation +high quality parts= very good sounding amplifier. Best of luck @dholmes189 (The OP). You’ll love a 300b SET amplifier if you decide to  acquire one.
Charles
troidelover1499
253 posts
 
A work friend and fellow audio lover had a small Cary 300B amplifier driving Audio Note speakers, I don’t know what model, but they stood on low-boy stands. The sound was really impressive, sounded like a real voices real guitars and so on
More to discover