Elrog 300B vs Takatsuki 300B tubes

Pani,

I have heard one of the First Watt amps (cannot remember the specific model) in my system for about two weeks (borrowed from a friend).  I liked it a lot--smooth, clear and lively.  Yes, there was a bit of brittleness and an artificially hard edge to the initial attack of some notes (common to solid state), but, it was still a very nice sounding amp.  Unlike a lot of other solid state amps, it did not sound flat and lifeless when playing at soft or moderate volume levels.  It also sounded harmonically rich and dense (a lot of solid state and high-powered pushpull tube amps fail in this respect).  As far as practical concerns, I found it a reasonably easy amp to use--no pops or other noise on turn-on or turn-off, no other problems during my time of usage.  But, like most solid state gear, it takes longer to warm up and really sound its best than tube gear; one possible approach would be to leave it on most of the time).  Although I have not heard other Pass gear in my own system, I have not been favorably impressed the times I have heard their non-First Watt gear.

I own a parallel single-ended 2a3 amp (Audio Note Kageki) a pushpull 45 amp (Deja Vu Audio) and a pushpull 249 amp.  They all have a different sound, and I cannot really say whether this is mainly the characteristic of the topology, differences in components, and/or differences in the tube used.  The single-ended amp is very good at sounding relaxed and harmonically rich; I also like how the bass, though not strong and punchy, is "refined" in the way it delivers subtly different tonal structure depending on the music being played.  My pushpull 249 amp sound more punchy in the bass, but, that sound is a bit more mechanical and generic and not as subtly differentiated as the bass from the single-ended amp.  Still, right now, the pushpull 249 is my favorite amp (somewhat difficult to compare with the Kageki because the 249 amp has transformer inputs and works best with my full transformer input and output linestage).

If I had to pick an amp that is my absolute favorite, it might well be a custom-built, output transformerless amps that two people I know have in their system.  These are extremely dynamic and lively amps that also deliver a very rich harmonic palette.  Unfortunately, they are nearly one-ofs, and are a bit scary (no protection circuitry and no transformer between the tubes and the speaker to protect the speakers).   The other totally unrealistic candidate I heard is a very old Western Electric 59B amp, which is another ultra dynamic sounding amp; too bad those go for somewhere near $80,000 per channel.

In short, I don't really favor any particular implementation of tube amps; I have heard great sound from all types.  As a rough generalization, I tend to like low-powered amps over higher powered amps that use multiple tetrode or pentode tubes to achieve the high power (OTLs being the exception).  To me, if someone really needs a lot of power and ability to drive a difficult load, solid state is the better way to go.

To me, the question is: Why would anyone choose a difficult load where one needs a lot of power and ability to drive that difficult load. There are many ways to make it easier on yourself, likely less costly as well. Best, Rob

Hi Charles 1 dad,

Have you tried the EML meshplae tubes?  I know they are not supposed to be as robust as the XLS, but, I do wonder how they sound.  I use to run EML meshplate 2a3s in my Kageki, and that was a VERY interesting tube and quite different from the EMLs with solid plates.  The mesh-plate tubes delivered a huge, enveloping sound-stage and a very extended and airy sounding top end.  In some sense, the sound could be described as a bit "phasey" and almost unnatural, but, I liked it nonetheless.  

One more thing, I cannot imagine anyone providing better service than George Lenz at Tubes USA.  That would be my go-to source for anything that he carries.   

Mesh Plate 300b's might not do to well in the Coincident Franks 300b amps. They would probably be run too hard and not have a long life. If I were running 300b Mesh my operating points would be conservative. 350v across the 300b plate at 60mA.  I think the Franks are running over 400v across the plate and maybe 80-90mA?? A good way to fry a mesh plate tube since they don't dissipate as efficiently as a solid plate tube. Jet

Hi Larry,
I had the EML mesh 300b in my Frankenstein for about a 3 week period a few years ago, Its sonic character was just as you described, very open, airy yet delicate and nuanced. I really liked that tube.   Jet is right however, it didn't last long in my amplifier for the reasons Jet stated. The EML XLS is right at home in the Frankenstein by comparison as it's much more rugged and robust. For more conservative run 300b amplifiers the EML mesh plate 300b wound be one to strongly consider in my opinion. This tube is a "true" mesh design unlike the Sophia "mesh plate" versions.
Charles.