Follow-on to the two-year old post immediately above. I finally got to a permanent abode. Things are hooked up again and the final tweaks to the system are going on. I had my 302B modded by Underwood HiFi -- full mods and what a difference -- so what I say about it is from a modded perspective. Anyway -- here are the "tricks" I have learned with this little beauty.
It is rather tube and bias sensitive. Recommended range for bias is between 34 and 44 mV (note not mA). Never more than 44 though. I run mine currently at 38 -- trial and error with the tubes I use and the result is amazing musicality -- especially on vocals. Present setup in tubes I have are a matched set of Svetlana EL34s -- I also run in some JJ Tesla Blues occasionally, but the Svets give so much to the midrange it is hard to turn down. Mullards (real Mullards) are in the 12AX7 positions and Siemens in the 12AT7 positions. I used some NOS Sylvanias before the Mullards and found that the amp got very, very BRIGHT with these. The Mullards also opened the space around the music a bit as well. The higher the bias -- the more likely you are to wander into the bright zone BTW. This little jewel is wonderful -- budget priced and very much the apple of my eye. Just roll the tubes in you wish and feel free to experiment with tubes and bias. The right combo for you will be found. Again -- just amazing little giant companion if not giant-killer.
It is rather tube and bias sensitive. Recommended range for bias is between 34 and 44 mV (note not mA). Never more than 44 though. I run mine currently at 38 -- trial and error with the tubes I use and the result is amazing musicality -- especially on vocals. Present setup in tubes I have are a matched set of Svetlana EL34s -- I also run in some JJ Tesla Blues occasionally, but the Svets give so much to the midrange it is hard to turn down. Mullards (real Mullards) are in the 12AX7 positions and Siemens in the 12AT7 positions. I used some NOS Sylvanias before the Mullards and found that the amp got very, very BRIGHT with these. The Mullards also opened the space around the music a bit as well. The higher the bias -- the more likely you are to wander into the bright zone BTW. This little jewel is wonderful -- budget priced and very much the apple of my eye. Just roll the tubes in you wish and feel free to experiment with tubes and bias. The right combo for you will be found. Again -- just amazing little giant companion if not giant-killer.