Horning owners what amps have you used?

Charles1dad, "I disagree with that based on my own experiences."

Thus far, you've provided ZERO evidence that you were able to compare apples to apples when it comes to the 2A3 and 300B vacuum tubes.

Again, I will say, you need to hold ALL of the other variables constant before making your statement - transformers, power supply, circuit, driver tubes, etc. In other words, all of the things you previously laid out as making one amplifier superior to another. Then, and only then, will you be able to speak with any degree of authority.

This represents the essence of Scientific Method, developed out of the need to objectively draw conclusions when making comparisons between two things as we are doing with these two tubes. Otherwise, you're making a statement based on nothing beyond false hope.

Bud Fried liked to state that a backloaded horn was the opposite of a (true) transmission line. And, though of late it's become somewhat fashionable to try and equate the two, the differences come across as fairly obvious.

Though many times I've said that I've yet to find a better loudspeaker for the Atma Sphere than the TL. Conversely, I will again state that I have found that backloaded horns (Hornings and otherwise) do not mate at all well with OTL amplification (Atma Sphere or otherwise). As I've previously said, I haven't worked it all out, but there is something in regards to the impedance a backloaded horn presents to an amplifier that separates it from more ubiquitous loudspeakers, including front-loaded horns. What I am certain is Bud's point speaks to all of this.

That's not to say you can't drive this type of loudspeaker with such an amplifier. Obviously, you can. However, we all know that folks having poor (or worse) loudspeaker - amplifier marriages are as common as the day is long.

Trelja,
Like I said, preferences are what they are.It`s not important enough for me to debate about something as relatively trivial as the "better" DHT output tube.There`s no objective "test". Come on now, it`s just subjective, nothing more or less.Dpe can try some 2A3 amps and form his own conclusions vs his Thoress, no big deal.
Best Regards,

Charles1dad, this is a classic case of one of Bud Fried's absolute favorite topics, cognitive dissonance.

Simply put, you've proved unable to address the question I've put to you multiple times.

You may have compared (some 300B, some 2A3) different amplifiers. But as you initially maintained, there are so many other elements that go into such a beast, the picture becomes too murky to understand. Yet to simply accept that is to give up, without having obtained any actual knowledge or perspective.

Again, the answer is to return to one of the tenets of the Scientific Method, to observe the differences of two items being compared, holding ALL other variables constant. I admit it's a difficult task, and few have the ability, opportunity, or even desire to do so.

If we're going to be honest, which is the only route toward knowledge, you have no idea as which tube you prefer. The reason I say that is because it seems likely you have never directly compared the two tubes.

You have your own amps, which use one of the two tubes (in reality and objectively speaking, which of the two is meaningless) currently under discussion, and you like/love them. That's fair enough. As you said, "As long as we are both happy with our choices/results what else matters?" You "hope" that the tube your amplifiers employ sound better. If they did not, perhaps, it somehow invalidates your own purchase/judgement, and throws you out of equilibrium - the comfort zone. It's far easier to go round and round with someone like me here than to face such a possibility.

My experience is that high-end audio is all about compromises, making choices around such, and then going about living with them. In truth, my opinion is that for your application, the 300B is the far better choice. While I've maintained that the 2A3 produces the clearly superior low frequency response of the two tubes (not sure why that is so threatening a proposition), I, and I believe most people, couldn't live with just one of them. A 2A3 SET amplifier is simply not up to the task of driving all but a very few loudspeakers.

Dpe / Charles1dad,
i didn't feel the Kondo+Horning pairing to be euphoric in timbre (tube rolling would address this), but rather in presentation. it was generally a tad echoey for my tastes (i.e. many recordings sound like they were done in a large concert hall - which sounds great for certain recordings, but somewhat unrealistic on others).

Lamm+Horning sounds quicker/livelier, but does not hv the ethereal & effortless quality of the former. maybe the grass is always greener on the other side? (i've most likely not found the right balance yet).

11-14-11: Trelja
"Again, the answer is to return to one of the tenets of the Scientific Method, to observe the differences of two items being compared, holding ALL other variables constant. I admit it's a difficult task, and few have the ability, opportunity, or even desire to do so."

How is it possible to hold all other variables constant? You either have an amp designed for a 300B or an amp designed for a 2A3. Therefore there will be variables. What am I missing?