New to tubes in general but after hearing an (expensive) SET 300b amp I know what I want to get. So looking for DIYers/local artisans who can make me an amp or recommend me a place to get one. I prefer to buy locally in Europe if possible.
There are so many makes out there and it’s so hard to audition that am trying to collect recommendations and tips for finding my happiness...🙂
There are so many makes out there and it’s so hard to audition that am trying to collect recommendations and tips for finding my happiness...🙂
What was the amp you listened to? I only ask to see what kind of "philosophy" is behind it. They are not all the same. What would be your budget, roughly? Do you have the "right" speakers for a SET 300B, also in relation to your listening habits?
I listened to the 300b Amp made by Dbtronics (a specialist store based in Valencia Spain). They make a very nice amp as I said and what surprised me (not knowing about this a lot so based mainly on pre conceptions) is that aside being fantastic playing jazz, it also had a nice punch playing rock music which is a point important for me as I listen both to Jazz and acoustic music, but I like my dosis of rock from time to time. My current speakers are made by the Italian company Audel. They are great although being the small monitors version the do luck some body and I may either replace them or complement them with a sub. I have a small listening room (4 x 3), so I think the 8w amp will not have an issue driving them (being 87 db).
In your small room I think you are fine as you are with 8-9W. No need for subwoofer, IMHO.
Those 300B amps I don't know them personally but seem to be optimized in several aspects like power supply and noise. The low distortion they declare for me means they use some feedback, which is not a bad thing by default.
They don't use any special component (standard 300B PSVANE, EI core in output transformers and JJ small signal tubes) but having a production line allows them to obtain some selected components at more reasonable price, I guess.
What's the price?
Those 300B amps I don't know them personally but seem to be optimized in several aspects like power supply and noise. The low distortion they declare for me means they use some feedback, which is not a bad thing by default.
They don't use any special component (standard 300B PSVANE, EI core in output transformers and JJ small signal tubes) but having a production line allows them to obtain some selected components at more reasonable price, I guess.
What's the price?
Well they look cool and use top quality SBAcoustics drivers. But one thing you need to remember with tube amplifiers is to figure out the real efficiency of speakers because tube amps are constant power amps (i.e. they deliver more or less constant power into variable impedance). So the sensitivity figures are usually misleading unless the nominal impedance is 8R and it is really 8R across most of the bandwidth. In your case, because they are 4R speakers it means that their efficiency is 84 dB/1W which is good for the size of the mid-woofer and speaker.
In any case, as your room is small you will have no issues with 8-9 W clean power.
In any case, as your room is small you will have no issues with 8-9 W clean power.
If I wanted to buy a kit of really good 300B amp without spending a lot of money, I would certainly chose the Japanese Elekit TU-8600S. The basic one is already good. The upgrade kits (expensive resistor and capacitors + Lundahl transformers) in my opinion are un-necessary.
This costs around 940 pounds in UK taxes included, without tubes. Then you can use premium JJ tubes.
If you cannot assemble it you could find an experienced person who can do it for you.
In general, for this quality level, I am not sure you will find another solution. This kit is really good. The AudioNote Kit1 costs twice and is not better, IMHO.
This costs around 940 pounds in UK taxes included, without tubes. Then you can use premium JJ tubes.
If you cannot assemble it you could find an experienced person who can do it for you.
In general, for this quality level, I am not sure you will find another solution. This kit is really good. The AudioNote Kit1 costs twice and is not better, IMHO.
Hi
this is one of the best kit of se 300B
Kit1 Kit1-10 300B Integrated Amplifier – ANK Audio Kits
very good transformer
( I see the post of 45; I have built some of them, also tested but musically are very fine) the price is not so low
Walter
this is one of the best kit of se 300B
Kit1 Kit1-10 300B Integrated Amplifier – ANK Audio Kits
very good transformer
( I see the post of 45; I have built some of them, also tested but musically are very fine) the price is not so low
Walter
I would personally buy this one:
OTOMON Laboratory (音門ラボ) / 45PP stereo tube amp with LUXMAN output transformer * 117V input
It is currently for sale and as many of those amps in that website is a unique amp. It uses vintage Luxman output transformers and ISO Tango power supply and chokes. It is sold without tubes and will need an (isolation) transformer to get 117V from 230V (having a cleaner power line is not bad idea at all) but it's a finished amplifier made by a highly regarded master...😉
45 tube amplifier - YouTube
OTOMON Laboratory (音門ラボ) / 45PP stereo tube amp with LUXMAN output transformer * 117V input
It is currently for sale and as many of those amps in that website is a unique amp. It uses vintage Luxman output transformers and ISO Tango power supply and chokes. It is sold without tubes and will need an (isolation) transformer to get 117V from 230V (having a cleaner power line is not bad idea at all) but it's a finished amplifier made by a highly regarded master...😉
45 tube amplifier - YouTube
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Hello Al, hello everyone,
I make tailor-made products and offer my devices via my commercial site.
Manufacture audio d'exception
Below is my SE 300B OTA. It is part of the OTA game. Described here : Amplificateur SE 300B stereo
pre-series model
First série
My name is Tony and I am a craftsman from Switzerland. I am above all a passionate music lover and also a designer. This gives me the opportunity to express and share my design philosophy through my creations and / or my devices.
I make tailor-made products and offer my devices via my commercial site.
Manufacture audio d'exception
Below is my SE 300B OTA. It is part of the OTA game. Described here : Amplificateur SE 300B stereo
pre-series model
First série
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In BE you can ask here: AQUABLUE DIYPARADISO tube amplifiers lundahl double c core , tubes , triodes , penthodes , se 2a3, se 845 , pp or single ended, se300b ,dht se,scan speak , accuton , mundorf , diy tube amps (I only ordered some parts there in the past so cannot really judge)
Hi Tony, thanks for your offer and very nice looking amp. I am looking though for an integrated amp as a first option and also for a wired on not PCB based setup. many thanks, Ariel
Interesting company - nevery heard of them and the speakers actually look interesting . Thanks!
It is quite possible to build a really good 300b amplifier for under £1,000. But for me there is a difference in sound between the "commercial" input valves like the miniature 9 pin varieties and the familiar octals like 6SN7. I haven't used any of these for 12 years because I don't have to. I just build individual amplifiers and I use rare tubes that you don't usually find in 300b amps. They sound better to me, and my only goal is to get the best sound possible. This also means using a 2 stage design not a 3 stage one, which is to me the easy and rather lazy way to make such an amp.
Commercial amplifiers optimise the look of the amp, which is fine, and even essential for many buyers. But they may or may not use the best components like DC Link and teflon caps which are relatively cheap. The transformers can be good quality, however, and that's pretty essential. So my priority is the parts rather than the case. I'm a musician and the timbre of acoustic instruments is essential for me. But anyone who is musical or loves music can identify with sound that is realistic and sounds as if the instruments and voice are in the room. That's the whole point of a good audio system for me, having spent a lot of my life alongside live musicians.
Commercial amplifiers optimise the look of the amp, which is fine, and even essential for many buyers. But they may or may not use the best components like DC Link and teflon caps which are relatively cheap. The transformers can be good quality, however, and that's pretty essential. So my priority is the parts rather than the case. I'm a musician and the timbre of acoustic instruments is essential for me. But anyone who is musical or loves music can identify with sound that is realistic and sounds as if the instruments and voice are in the room. That's the whole point of a good audio system for me, having spent a lot of my life alongside live musicians.
Is this amp you auditioned?
Valvulas, HiFi/High End - Servicio Tecnico Audio. Valencia
Not all 300B tubes sound the same, even in the same amp, and not all 300B amps sound the same. I own the full gamut of tubes from original Western Electric, Emission Labs, KR, and various Chinese brands.
Listen to some more 300B designs before you make a decision and make sure you like the "300B sound" before making a decision. In a room your size, you maybe able to use a lower power 2A3.
Again, spend more time listening.
This is the amp I auditioned. I will not buy it though.
I wish I could audition amps, I don't know anyone who has them nor stores carrying too much of this stuff. If someone from Belgium sees this post and can point me to a place I am able to listen that would be great.
Good morning all,
Some time ago, a passing friend kindly lent me a pair of 300B KR so that I could listen to them on the 300B Officina, to worry if I can have an idea about the rendering is incidentally giving it back. ..
Unfortunately, for lack of time, I was only able to listen to them too briefly. Indeed, I would have liked to listen to them at greater length and take the opportunity to set up a direct comparison with, for example, the 300B PSVANE, the 300B EML or even other models. This is only a postponement...
As soon as possible I would invite a few triodists and other music lovers to a shoot out to share our pleasure and our passion for music around a few cakes and various works.
Greetings. Tony
Some time ago, a passing friend kindly lent me a pair of 300B KR so that I could listen to them on the 300B Officina, to worry if I can have an idea about the rendering is incidentally giving it back. ..
Unfortunately, for lack of time, I was only able to listen to them too briefly. Indeed, I would have liked to listen to them at greater length and take the opportunity to set up a direct comparison with, for example, the 300B PSVANE, the 300B EML or even other models. This is only a postponement...
As soon as possible I would invite a few triodists and other music lovers to a shoot out to share our pleasure and our passion for music around a few cakes and various works.
Greetings. Tony