Why not more on 845 SETs?

The 845 simply does not sound as good as a top notch SET 300b amplifier. In addition, if you want the best performance from 845 designs NOS tubes would be useful; they are priced at something like 1000/pr last time I looked? Sure, the manufacturers will tell you their design is optimized for the chinese tubes; the NOS will sound better but at a huge cost.

A 300b push/pull interstage coupled amplifier with top quality parts will make 16 to 20 watts and sound damn close to a well executed 300b SET. Main reason more 300b push/pulls are not sold is they are quite a bit more expensive. More power means bigger transformers; push/pull means more parts and more contruction time required (and a bigger chassis, usually) to put the push/pull together. More capacitors, resistors, wiring, twice as many 300b tubes (which raises cost anywhere from 200 to 2000 over a SET design depending on tube selection).

I would rather have a well designed 211 based push/pull amp that will run into class A2 and make a LOT of power. Or, a single ended 211 that will make in the mid 20s of power when pushed into class A2. The 845 cannot be driven into Class A2 is my understanding. The 211 is the tube that Mr Kondo selected for his original Ongaku amplifier in the late 80s.

C123666, what is class A2 operation?

Whoa there. Some of us like the sound of 845 SETs better than the 300Bs. In my case in a three-way comparison in my system between the CJ 12s, a modern SET 300B stereo amp, and the 845 SETs, the 845 was the clear SONIC winner. I know, YMMV and all that, but I've never heard a 300B amp -- not yet anyway -- that can compete with my amps. And certainly not a PP version.

The new 845B and 845M (I haven't heard these yet) tubes from SuperTNT are rewriting the book on what can be expected from new-production versions of these tubes. The 845Bs are $150/pr. There is absolutely no reason to invest in NOS 845s, IMHO. And even the best current production 845s are dirt cheap compared to 300Bs.

Where does one get a pair of 845B/Ms? The SuperTNT website doesn't allow you to get to check-out. Any local distributors?

Great thread, Denis!

My friend had a pair of ASL 1009 amps, featuring this tube, and of all the amps he has ever had, and he's had a lot of them (including his current Mesa Barons), this was far and away MY favorite. As good a sounding pair of amps as I have ever come across. Boy, did they sound HUGE, and lush, sweet, quiet, and detailed at the same time. A lot better built than I hear most people say.