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EL34 in triode vs 300B/845 SET

Hi All,

    I thank you ahead if some of you already helped out with my previously related post.  Quick story, I currently use a Dared VP-300B SET and just loving the sound but since I'm using B&W805 D3 I keep wondering if better higher current/watt amp would further impress me.  The best SET in the market seems to be 805B driven by 300B, very very expensive (thinking Line Magnetic 219ia).  I've been reading that EL34 due to it's design gets very close to 300B SET when wired in triode mode.  It seems far more economical to get the romantic lush sound and lots more power (relative to SET) with EL34B in triode then going 845/805 tubes (especially considering high heat).  Any anyone can share experience with above since there're lot of EL34 triode/UL amp out there these days?

    I'm also wondering since Dared VP-300B is a very entry level 300B SET, if upgrading to more expensive ones like Line Magnetic or AudioSpace or Cary...etc would make big difference with fuller body sound?  Or maybe SET is SET and won't get too huge leap of a difference.

Thanks.

hifineubee
wcfeil
464 posts
 
If you are willing to give up the SET topology yet stay with the 300B tube, Canary Audio has a number of push pull amps that will drive your speakers. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
An amplifier that operates push-pull with 300bs is likely not in the budget as proposed. I suspect that the amplifier that will be used will be an ultralinear amp based on 6550s/KT88s.
hifineubee OP
56 posts
 
thanks trelja for the first hand feedback on Consonance amps!

thanks for everyone else's continual feedbacks, so many choices... so little money... sob sob
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Suggest you reach out to @aricaudio and see if he can be of help. All the best.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
@hifinubee thank you for the kind words.

As a suggestion, you may want to seek out a Consonance Cyber 10 Signature.  It's an integrated amplifier, using 2A3 triode output tubes in push-pull configuration, and a Mullard long tail pair driver stage.  Not a huge number exist, as the amplifier looks all wrong on paper.  It's a product I had to work harder than any other to sell, as everyone (including myself) dismisses it out of hand without even a listen, but I believed in it that much after hearing it and living with it.  I imported enough of them that they come up here and there on Audiogon, USA Audio Mart, and eBay.  Typical pricing ranges from $500 - $900.  It's a deceptively wonderful amplifier, and in my experience, one of their best products across board.  I realize most find it hard to believe, but at just 11 watts per channel, it can drive the typical loudspeaker with authority, excellent low-end output, and a seductively sweet tone.  They also produced a more or less identical, more expensive version using the 300B tube producing 22 watts per channel, called the Cyber 100S Signature. It lacked the seat of the pants power, bass response, and magic of the 2A3 amplifier. The Cyber 10 Signature 2A3 ran just about stride for stride in terms of loudness, power, and oomph with the 35 watt EL34 / 40 watt KT88 Cyber 100 Signature amps
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