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Airtight 300b or Coincident 300b?

I have the chance to buy either one, 2nd hand used for almost the same price.  Any recommendation which one i should go for?  On the one hand, one is a monoblock while the other is a well established brand using high quality tamura transformer..  Any advice is appreciated.

I am using a diy audio note m7 tube amp driving a pair of audio note an-e spe HE speakers.  currently using a pair of yamamoto a08s.  I have used audio note kit 1 300b before so these 2 would be my benchmarks.

i listen to classical music, mostly chamber, operas, symphonies.
chaccone
brf
1,715 posts
 
Which Coincident 300B amp are you comparing?  The current Frankenstein or the older MP300B?  I have listened to the Airtight ATM300B and both Coincident 300B amps with Avantgarde Duo speakers and my preference was for the Airtight.  Very quiet amps with a lot of detail and dynamics.  Very well made also. 
chaccone OP
1 posts
 
The current Frankenstein.  Thanks for sharing.  for your audition, were both of the amps using the same 300b tube ?

brf
1,715 posts
 
Yes, all amps employed EML 300B XLS tubes. 
jond's avatar
jond
5,798 posts
 
If you're not totally set on one of those two amps, you're obviously an Audio Note fan, how about these:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-audio-note-uk-vindicator-silver-signature-2017-03-09-amplifie...

Not affiliated just a big AN fan and a big 2A3 fan. Never heard either of the amps you're asking about, though I did run an Air Tight ATC-1/ATM-1 combo for a while.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Chaccone, 
There are definitely very high quality 300b SET amplifiers in the marketplace to choose among. I have owned the Coincident Frankenstein MK II for 7 1/2  years and it is wonderfully natural and realistic in its presentation. The Airtight 300b SET has a simply stellar reputation and I believe that you'd love it.  

I could confidentially say that about Zanden,Shindo,Triode Corp of Japan (upper leve) Ocellia Signature  (with the silver wired transformers), Ancient Audio , all of these would be excellent choices.  You will never get a consensus of which is the best. The point is that you'd be thrilled with "any" of the SETs listed here and others examples I'm sure.

Any of these superb 300b SET amplifiers with the proper speaker will just sing and bring genuine musical joy into your home. 
Good luck, 
Charles 

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