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Sonic qualities of SET output tubes?

Can you readily identify a 300B, 2A3, 805, 211, etc., amp’s sound with your eyes closed most of the time?


If so, I’sure would like to hear from you.


Amplifier design and the technology utilized within its confines decides the ‘voice’ or influence it will yield as much or more so than merely the output tubes the designer has chosen to use.


I get that part emphatically. One must hear the amp regardless the type of output tube technology on hand.


And yes, some Pentodes and Tetrodes are used as Triodes but are not indeed triodes by their specific architecture. That’s OK, just focus on their use as Triodes herein, please.


There are however certain tube types, irrespective of vintage which have basic undeniable sonic colors or characteristics, apart from their electrical aspects which keep attracting people to amps which use this or that tube in its output stage.


Some love 211s. some adore 300Bs. Some love EL34s configured to run as Triodes. I have an affinity for the latter. So far anyway. This topic could change my mind.


Has your own experience informed you what this or that output tube’s natural flavor regularly announces itself to be so you can have a reasonable expectation of its general presentation?


What sonic attribute continually attracts you to a particular SET tube design, 300B or some others?


Or, conversely, what is it about the sound that would bring you to covet a 211 amp over a 2A3, for example.


Why as another example, would you pick a 2A3 amp over one using 805s or 300B, 211, etc. or vice versa?


Removing ‘vintages’ and electronic or electrical qualities from the argument, what sonic attributes for the more popular S.E.T. amp output tubes have you determined seem to persist in their particular DNA?


I’m asking for input from those SET tube devotees to lend their experiences and knowledge on the subject of what tube sounds like what irrespective of the SET application, generally speaking.


My goal is to try getting a better feel for which SET Tube amp design, if any, I’d want to pursue and possibly invest heavily into going forward as the soul of a new system.


Tremendous thanks to all!

blindjim
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grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,519 posts
 
Good points @stfoth,

We have to remember 50 watts with an 805 tube etc, is still a SET amp and the 20% rule comes into play. Speaker matching is still critical. Will it work with a 4-8 ohm, 90db effecient speaker? It depends. Big room, like to listen at 85-90db levels at times, sit 10-12 feet back, then it won’t.

Small to moderate sized room, 70-80db listening, 8-10 feet back from the speakers, then it may work wonderfully indeed. Once the room gets bigger and you want to turn it up more often, then you enter a real risky area. Sometimes your happy, sometimes not with that system. Can be a frustrating place to be.  




kdude66
1,200 posts
 
Gentleman,

Keep the Knowledge coming,

Best thread on audiogon presently.

I'm getting good factual info that were kinda grey areas to me and this thread has educated me well.

I thank you all,

Kenny.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,519 posts
 
Kenny, I am working on a 300b mod to my Lyngdorf unit. I will update once finished. I call it the "1DadDHT" mod package. Pictures coming soon! Charles, you will be asked to beta test. 
wolf_garcia
6,726 posts
 
I have no idea how many watts my HO generates, although as a recent one it’s maybe 17 watts (it’s not a "Hot Rod", although those claim about the same wattage as mine), but at least 12…I currently prefer it with KT88s and  a Shuguang 274b rectifier (I mean really…a cool looking tube), and these amps come with zero published specs other than what can be gleaned from forum conversations and Had’s comments (and a published log book page  of Hads with various parameters noted in pencil…great stuff…), a somewhat unique thing with no warranty or anything other than good faith from Dennis. Also it wasn’t expensive…relatively...
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