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What is the characteristic of diff. Triode Tubes?

I am a bit confused about the sound characteristic (and maybe design concept as well) of these tubes for Triode design: KT-88, 2A3, 300B.

SET amp with 300B seems to be the most expensive one then 2A3 and KT-88. Is the price different just due to the cost of tube itself? Also does it mean that the 300B sounds better than 2A3 and KT-88 (which is not as stated by decware)

So if I would like to get into the SET amp, which tube should I be looking for?

For example, decware (zen amp) use SVETLANA SV83 or EL84/6BQ5 tube while ASE have option of KT88 and 2A3, and 300B tubes (which is more expensive respectively) while Cary uses 300B tube.

I am interested in ASL product (MGSi15 DT INTEGRATED(KT88) and ORCHID integrated (2A3))

If I decide to get the 15DT, does it mean that it sound will be inferior than the ORCHID model?

I know there are lots of variation and factors that effect the overal sound quality, but assuming other parameter were the same, what is the order of tube in term of sound quality?

Thanks,

Ake

PS Any 15DT user around here? Could you share some thoughts if you like it or not?
ake
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danner
202 posts
 
Disclaimer: Just trying to help so be aware that this is very subjective and I've only been into tubes for about a year with limited experience.

Matching an amp (with various tubes) to a speaker with the appropriate sensitivity and characteristics is, I expect, an art and only comes with experience but here are some starting points that I found useful.

TUBE - AMP - POWER - SPKR - "SOUND"
2A3 - SET - 3.5 watts - 93dB - magic; refined
300B - SET - 7 watts - 90dB - magic; clear/natural
KT88/triode - P/P - 15 watts - 88dB - warm; solid
KT88/pentode - P/P - 25 watts - 86dB - ?
(P/P = push/pull design)

I started with ASL Wave 8 monoblocs (P/P) which are a great place to start (bang for buck and they're resellable). I tried KT88s in the AES Super Amp (P/P) and liked that better (Svetlanas were my favorite). I then got an AES SE-1 (SET) that can use either 2A3s or 300Bs. I liked the Sovtek 2A3s better than the 300Bs that came with the unit. Then I tried Sophia 300Bs (300/pr) and have found the sound I was looking for. Since the speakers I use have a sensitivity of 89dB, is reputed to be tube friendly, and I listen at moderate levels, the 300B has been a good match.

The main point I'd make is that I have enjoyed owning all three of these amps (and they satisfied my curiosity about these tubes you are asking about). Listen if you can to amp/speaker combinations before buying, but if you cannot (like me living in the sticks) stay with amps in your price range that have a good resale value here on Audiogon and enjoy.
ake OP
48 posts
 
I am confused a bit.. so is the ASL MGSi15 DT integrated amp (http://www.divertech.com/mgsi15dt.html) a SET amp or not? Looks to me like it is a SET in a triode mode and not if it's in another mode. Please correct me if I am wrong.

ake
danner
202 posts
 
Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to the AES Super Amp that I owned that was a push/pull design. It had 15w/ch in triode mode with KT88s. According to Divertech, the ASL MGSi15 DT is a SET design with KT88s. I have not heard that so I was trying to relate the KT88 sound that I had with my AES. The ASL will no doubt sound different using a SET design (hopefully have some SET magic).
danner
202 posts
 
I took another closer look at the Divertech site.
The ASL MGSi15 when running in triode mode is only 5w/ch. The 15w/ch is for pentode mode. If you want to use it in triode mode, you'll need fairly efficient speakers (say 92dB/w sensitivity) if you want more than polite levels. I'ver read some reviews that suggest pentode mode gives tighter bass but is not as refined as the triode mode (I never ran mine in pentode mode since it required an internal wiring change on the AES).
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