300b INTEGRATED AMP Suggestions


This will be my first post here but I have enjoyed advice from this site for quite some time.  

After living for many years with the Rogue Cronus Magnum I am interested in downsizing a bit to a smaller, more finessed system built around a 300B integrated amp.  I am intrigued by what I have read about SET amps and given my small room and musical preferences I think this could be a fun switch.  I have been looking at the Cary CAD-300sei amp and am leaning that direction but wanted to put this out there to see what comes back before I jump.  (I like the reviews and the positivity around Line Magnetic as well, however I'd like to stay away from the 845 tubes for heat reasons)  My musical preference is generally around folk, singer/songwriter, jazz etc but not limited to.  My budget is around 5k new or used.

I know speakers are a huge part of this equation as well.  I currently have some KEF r5 speakers that I would likely be looking to replace with something from Zu's line depending on where I end up with an amp decision. 

I'd love to get any recommendations.
dholmes189
I went looking for a 300b amplifier for my headphone system. I am a big fan of Woo Amps and have owned two. After a lot of research I bought a WA-5LE and upgraded all the tubes to highest level. I was very happy what amp did for my headphone system. So much so that it triggered a huge upgrade to my main system and finally had me purchase a tube amp (ARC Reference 160s). This gave my main system the natural musical sound of tubes without having to go crazy on buying incredibly efficient speakers. Honestly, my headphone and main system have a very similar sound character. This worked well for me to actually own a 300b system without the compromises in a main system.
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One of my best buddies has a Toolshed running Cornwalls in his fishing rod building A frame workshop.

He loves it. I have heard it while i watched him wrap an 11’ salmon rod - liquid, engaging with nary a sin…maybe a slight lack of drive vs. a Mac240…. but nothing keeping a smile off our faces…As others have wisely said - there are many ways to get musical bliss. Not everyone appreciates an 11’ rod, or a 300 b amp and therefore choose a different line in life..

Enjoy the journey and the music.
Thats good to hear,  I can't wait !!!    My amp is now in queue to be built, should have it by the end of the year.   Should sound great driving my Forte
I believe that I am familiar with the sound you are searching for.  Once you hear a great SET amp, everything else kind of becomes, ehh..  That said, have you thought about Decware?  I have their integrated and what it does is take a EL-34, a pentode tube, and runs it as a triode.  A great EL-34 is much more affordable than a great 300b.  I have found the sound very similar to what you are looking for and you can roll tubes on the Decware.  I would also be sure that you keep your old system or gift it to someone close, so you can hear again.  Your brain is wired to that reference point and you will from time to time crave it, kind of like White Castle hamburgers.