SET Shootout China VS The USA

I've yet to hear Full Music Mesh plates (my tech mentioned its nota true mesh, more like perforated metal..), still from what I've read the Mesh offer nice resolutions. The Jadis Defy7 will be great in more comples symphonic orch,,but for all other music, this 2A3 will beat out the Defy.

@mozartfan 

Your tech is correct,  perforated metal plate rather than a true mesh design. EML makes a genuine mesh tube, they are costly.  You could still really appreciate the sound of the Full Music perforated plate tube once acquired. I can understand why you are attracted to DHT tubes (101D in my preamplifier  and 300b amplifiers). Pure musical beauty if implementation is done well. I feel that you're on a good path.

Charles 

@mozartfan 

”

Again its my opinion 

the 

2A3 PP is superior to

the EL, KT series PP amp.”

+1  Totally agree!  I also prefer the 2A3 over a 300B in a pure SET amp. 

^^^+1 Totally agree! I also prefer the 2A3 over a 300B in a pure SET amp.^^^

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Yet how often do I see 300B and 2A3  mentioned as options offered in a design. AS though they were closely matched in terms of performance.

My tech urges me to avoid the 300B in any part of a design, (845 w 300B as driver). He has no issues with the 2A3.

Then again there are fans of the 300B that love their pure linear SET soundstage. My tech mentioned the 300B original intent for the tube was telecom usage. Meaning fq cut off in both ends of the band width spectrum. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

^^^^Your tech is correct, perforated metal plate rather than a true mesh design. EML makes a genuine mesh tube, they are costly. You could still really appreciate the sound of the Full Music perforated plate tube once acquired.^^^^

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Yes I’ve seen the EML’s , out my budget. The TJ FM *mesh* is definetly a different material, and will offer a different soundstage vs his NOS RCA’s 1940’s he is offering me. great price at $100 each. But is the TJ FM pseudo mesh plates that interest me most. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I should also mention, last time I heard the KT88 was in the Thors and also a single FR speaker. Which makes the testing imbalanced/skewed. Adding a 2nd 6 inch FR with the 2A3 alters the testing. IOW the only way to properly test a KT88 PP to a @a# PP, is with same exact speakers. This may be 6 months before I retube the KT88 amplifier. Preliminary guess is that the 88 will perform better in a Dual FR /double tweeter system vs the previous Single FR/and Thor system. Yet I strongly suspect the 2A3 to come out nuances superior vs the KT88. How each perform in complex symphonic, is anyones guess. Stay tuned.,,,plenty more to come....

@mozartfan which flavor of ice cream does your tech tell you to eat? The 300b in the right circuit, just like the 2a3, can be exceptional…but not all of them. Full range drivers can sound exceptional…but not all of them. This is from a happy 300b, full range single driver speaker owner. Its just not my only system.

My tech urges me to avoid the 300B in any part of a design, (845 w 300B as driver). He has no issues with the 2A3.

Then again there are fans of the 300B that love their pure linear SET soundstage. My tech mentioned the 300B original intent for the tube was telecom usage. Meaning fq cut off in both ends of the band width spectrum. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@mozartfan 

I have no doubt that you have a very competent and experienced tech who has earned your trust and admiration.  As you know opinions abound in the audio world. Everyone likes something and dislikes something else. 300b is no exception to this.

There are so many different 300b amplifier choices from multiple builders at prices ranging from 500.00 to 100,000.00. There are easily a dozen different 300b tube choices to place in an amplifier. I would very  kindly encourage you find an opportunity to hear a good quality 300b amplifier and decide for yourself.  

We all hear differently and certainly possess varying preferences and desires. My 300b SET mono blocks provide sublime sound quality.  Sometimes generalizations can be too broad brushed. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either the 2A3 or 300b (Or 845, 211, 45 etc.). Builder /designer talent and successful execution are the major determinants of component sound quality. 

Charles