6C33-B vs everything else.

Darkmoebius,
Wow! Spoken like a true audiophile. Except now you have me thinking about the 300B tube agian. I never did get around to listening to them. Do you think it would be worth my while to demo a integrated 300B amp? I would probally start out with something less expensive. If i liked it I could always upgrade at a later date.

Jeff. Per your thought that the 6c33c is quite destructive when they failed in your VK60s, and therefore you would not consider another amp that uses this power tube. Certainly any type of problem is a pain in the rear and I am sorry you had a bad problem.

It seems to me it is how the circuit in your amp dealt with the tube failure that caused the destruction you experienced. I am not aware that the 6c33c exhibits any unusual characteristics such that failures with that tube would result in problems that would not occur if a different output tube had a similar failure when used in the same circuit.

Darkmoebius,

Almarro is said to release details for a non-NFB version of the A318B. It's supposed to be warmer sounding with denser imaging w/o losing the dynamics. Maybe, you should contact your dealer about the retrofit

Hi KT_88,

You've never stated whether you are interested in a SET or PP amp and the type of speakers you have. Unfortunately, there is such a big difference in power output between the 300B & 6C33C-B (both SET & PP) that under 94dB and a fairly steady impedence your speakers will be a larger determining factor in the resulting sound than the amp. By that, I mean bass performance primarily.

300B's and 90dB speakers was good for most jazz trio, acoustic, chamber, and quartet types of music. Even most low key rock at moderate levels. But, if you still have the Quicksilver V4's and Meadowlarks, I think you'll find stepping down to 300B SET, or even PP, might be underwhelming. 120 wpc driving 89dB speakers gives pretty good control.

celebrer_le_temps,

I actually sold the Almarro a month or so ago along with the Reynaud monitors so I could focus on just one system. To clarify my comments a little more, I don't think the A318B needs anything, it is excellent as it is. It just happened to be a little less than perfect with a very unique speaker - the I-Bens. That's just the way it is with single drivers, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 95% of other efficient enough speakers are going to sound awesome.

Darkmoebius,

You have went to the trouble of researching me on Agon quite well. My complements to your industrious ambitions.

As far as what I have.....

I have done much traveling in the last 3 years and have sold all but my Meadowlarks. So basically I am starting over. Now the room I will be using for audio is not so large 16' X 15 'True the Kestrels are at 89db but, me being a person that works with things that are measured in db reference all day long, believe that I can get away with some things in regards to " what can or what will work "

I have long read about ( but have never heard ) the 300B tube. I thought perhaps if I could find the 300B in a PP setup running between 20-40 watts I could make it work in my system. I'm sure if I tried this by simply disconnecting something such as the V4's I would immediately feel I was robbed of certain aspects of my music. But I thought by finding a good integrated ( price wise ) I could hopefully enjoy the beauty of the 300B. I notice used 300B integrateds on Agon occasionally and thought I might try my luck with one. If i enjoyed the sound I could upgrade my speakers and even go to a SET 300B. I know it is possible after all my fuss I could very well go back to Quicksilver perhaps on a smaller scale of amp such as the Mid-Mono. But one never knows if is afriad to try.

Of course if there is someone out there that is crazy enough to let me demo their ( dealers included ) 300B amp. Feel free to write me :)