Tekton Double Impacts

mac,
How are things with your new 300b?  Do you know what output transformers he used in your build?
You've listened to a number of amps.  What does the 300b bring to the table that your other amps did not?  Do you feel, driving the DI's, there are some types of music in your collection where you are less impressed?

Corelli,

The 300B from Aric sounds great. I had to work through some strange noise issues which turned out to be from my Vinnie Rossi power supply being too close to the amp. Now that I moved the power supply I'm enjoying music again! I still have a slight hum coming from the speakers that I'm trying to eliminate but it's nothing major. A preamp with more gain might be the cure for that but I'm loath to replace the MZ. 

This amp is the most musical amp I've owned. It very much brings me the performance I remember Charles' Frankensteins providing when he brought them here and that's exactly what I was after. The textures, tone and richness of the music is so natural and real. The air around notes is enhanced. Vocals are amazing and the soundstage is so open and three dimensional with more space between performers. It's also amazingly powerful for 8 watts. 

Going from the Raven Blackhawk to the Decware Torri mkIV to the MZ2 to Aric's Transcend KT 120 to Aric's 300B has been a pleasurable journey. It's rewarding knowing that the 300B is my favorite and I have no regrets replacing the others with it. They are all great amps that I've enjoyed but the 300B is where I want to be. 

With the DI's it's a perfect amp for me. I tend to listen to acoustical performances, female vocalists and jazz and this 300B delivers them beautifully and effortlessly. This current system of mine probably isn't ideal for metal or hard rock but once my SE's get here ( hopefully in two weeks) I'll move my DI's to my tv system with a SS amp and I can rock out there. 

I believe all of the transformers are Hammonds, albeit very oversized ones, but Aric can correct me if I'm wrong. 

They are all great amps that I've enjoyed but the 300B is where I want to be.

+1

@corelli - Indeed the transformers are Hammonds, and the output transformers are 30 watt SE units. I've compared them head to head with some others that cost twice as much (I won't name names), and there hasn't been any discernible differences I've found under lots of extended A/B testing. 

Also that slight bit of hum occurs at higher gain settings- with the amp's volume near max and the two cathode switches flipped up. This was my first 300B build, and as such I based the front end on the popular two stage 6SN7. The 6SN7 is a current master- but a voltage weakling. As such it needs the cathode bypass caps engaged to give the extra 3 db per stage (unless your preamp outputs close to 2 volts). In future builds, I would opt for a 6SL7 in the first stage with it's voltage strengths- to drive the 6SN7, with no cathode bypass caps. That would give plenty of gain and really push the noise floor down to nil. 

@mac48025 - If you ever choose to go that route, I'll cover the mods if you want to be without her for a week and ship her back. 

Best, Aric

My Tekton Design Double Impacts Special Edition (SE) were delivered yesterday evening. The build and finish is gorgeous. They are getting run in. More on the sound later.