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
Interesting info re: tube amps.
Lotta talk about speaker compatibility.
Anybody got a short list of favorite tube amp compatible speakers?
I struggled to find speakers for a 300B Woo WA5 but finally gave up and now just use the headphone output.
Also have a PrimaLuna HP Integrated. More power but still swapping speakers in and out. Not completely satisfied so far.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
@blindjim 

Did you buy that set of Thor TPA30s on Audio Mart? If so, killer deal and good for you. I owned this amp twice. I have done numerous upgrades to them and they represent some of the best PP tube sound one could ever purchase. Wonderful el34 design getting the best out of this tube. I wanted so badly to buy them again and upgrade the film caps, but not enough power for me. 

Replace those Hovland caps with good copper foil PIO caps from the likes of Jupiter, Duelund, and Audio Note. Very nice improvement for sure.  
Hi Leotis,
I posted a list of potential speakers on this thread yesterday. I don’t know what your specific budget is but the Tekton Double Impacts and the Coherent speaker a floor standing 2 way (Canadian)are in the 3000-3500.00 dollar range. Different design approaches but both are said to mate  well with a 300b SET amplifier. Worth looking into I believe. 
Charles

Blindjim ;

If you do investigate HE speakers...take a look at those with built in amps for the bass units . I would think that these would be ideal for low power amps .

Just a thought .

Thanks Charles dad,
Didn't realize this had gone to 2 pages when I posted. Will check it out.
(BTW, thanks for the balanced power tip on a different thread.
I now have 4 EquiTechs. Balanced power seems to be one of the best kept secrets in audio.)