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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
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict
97 posts
 
@hifineubee Have you considered the Line Magnetic 508ia? 805 tubes driven off 300B’s. 48 watts/channel of SET goodness, cheaper and is preferred to the LM 219ia in some circles. (Greater dynamics, stronger bass)

But then again, probably not the most ideal pairing for your current speakers. 

I tried my 508 with my 88db Totem Element Embers and wasn't too impressed with the paring.  The bottom end was weak and they sucked a lot of power.   

But then again, I ran for quite awhile on some 88db Jamo towers with dual 6.5's woofers and was shocked every time at how great they sounded. 




hifineubee OP
56 posts
 
Thanks for everyone's continuous suggestions.  I ended up doing two things in the past two days.  I got a EL34B PP with triode / ultralinear mode capability on sale from Amazon just so I can try things out on the cheap as experiment.  My dad who got started me on hifi with his B&W 802 Matrix back in 1985 came to visit me for July 4th, he also liked the Dared VP300B SET and we've decided to take a leap of faith with the Dared VP845 SET.  I look forward to shared my experiment results later if anyone's interested.  =)

@hfaddict, I didnt look into the Line Magntic 508, as a matter of fact been ogling at a used unit on eBay.  But I feel price is a bit too high.  Someday I may try a 805 tube if 845 turns out a good experience.   If you have the budget, PSVANE besides making tubes also makes a pair of 805 monoblocks that weigth 100lbs each.  Seems very tempting for a try...
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict
97 posts
 
@hifineubee Beautiful amp. Best of luck!
hotspot
2 posts
 
So what solution did you end up with? If none so far, then let me be your humble advisor. I’ve been an hi-fi audiophile for 50 years and I’ve had a lot of medium priced gear. Tubes as Well as ss. You have a nice set of speakers, but in order to get The Best out of Them, my advice would be to go for a
chunky second hand quality ss integrated Class A amp. Here you get The warm Sound Combined with The muscles your speakers deserve. As you Americans say ...nothing beats cubic!
ppinto1's avatar
ppinto1
5 posts
 

I have 805 D3's.  I drive them with a clone Firstwatt M2x (from diyaudio.com) using the Ishikawa input stage (genuine Toshiba JFETs).  For a pre, I use the Korn Nutube B1 (also from diyaudio.com).  I use SoundID from Sonarworks for room correction, because my room is a very odd shape and forces me to have one speaker in a corner and the other not.  Most of my listening is near field.

I have loved SET using a homemade 300B (from tubelab.com) driving Foster full range kits from Madisound.  I loved SET so much, I will return to it when I have room for large horn speakers.

The sound from this current system has much of the depth and all of the imaging I loved from the SET.  It lacks a touch of warmth; the kind of warmth that's so magical, it makes one forget they're missing an octave or two on the top and bottom :)  However, this may be an avenue you wish to pursue with your speakers, as total cost will be under $3k and comes with the satisfaction of building it yourself.

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