Sure, once that does occur.....be happy too
300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?
Felix Audio makes the dual 300B amp "Lybra"--are there any other manufacturers of that gear?.Does anyone have experience using two each 300B tube amps modified to be two monoblocks with 15/16 watts output power each? If yes, did you hear any difference in the exquisite 300B sound other than more power? All experiences and thoughts appreciated. (Yes, expense is already noted)
- ...
- 57 posts total
@vthokie83 Just curious. What speakers is your friend driving with the Blackbird 300b amps? Just another data point! |
@yyzsantabarbara A nice move that most tube designers agree on is bypassing the cathode resistor. The tube can behave much better. I don't like the 6DJ8 and its variants; while they are quite linear, they are also very prone to microphonics. The schematic (if accurate) indicates it could really do with a grid resistor on the input stage. Since an EL84 is used, an ultralinear output transformer could also be used, resulting in lower distortion in the output section. I know a number of designers that don't like UL operation but as far as I can make out they are intentionally trying to make more distortion. |
@atmasphere thank you for your guidance. As an amp manufacturer yourself, you have been very helpful with the education. Quiet contrary to many manufacturers who come here mostly to advertise their products. |
We all have different views as manufacturers and that is as it should be. I don't give detailed advice because some of my views will clash with others and that is not what I really want to do on a public forum. I will say from years of experience, that in general, the larger the plate on the tube, the better it sounds to ME, but that is not everyone's view. I will also say, that if you know what you are doing, directly heated tubes are the way to go, but there are problems to solve and therefore they are not for everyone. I will also say that I prefer amps with zero feedback, but @atmasphere and I will diverge there, and that is just fine. I respect his opinion for what he builds. I do agree with him that the 6DJ8 family isn't all that good sounding a tube. Neither is the 12au7 and I never understood why people used them. But we all have our taste. I would still take a well designed push pull amp over a single ended one every day of the week, but again, that is my opinion and take it or leave it. I also favor completely regulated supplies, but others differ in opinion. I am sure if you buy an amplifier you can modify it to improve it, unless you are buying a very expensive and well designed amp that someone has put a lot of time and effort into. One that was designed without the usual budgetary constraints. As a modifier of more cost effective gear you can certainly remove some of those constraints. If there are coupling caps then those are generally modified for personal taste. There are certainly things you can do to power supplies on cheaper gear to improve them, but it depends on whether there is room. Often just bypassing a power supply electrolytic cap with a small film cap of sufficient voltage rating can make a subtle improvement for a few dollars. We used to do all sorts of things to improve vintage gear when rebuilding it. |
- 57 posts total