2A3 vs. 300B single end triode....

Since my budget doesn't provide for a Berning custom designed and built amp (though I did buy twl's microZOTL for headphones when he parted with it for his new unit -thanks twl), I use an AES SE-1 which can use either 2a3 or 300b tubes. I much prefer the Sovtek 2a3 tubes over the Cetron 300b tubes that came with the unit. However, when I tried Sophia 300b tubes I had found the right tube for my system/taste. - The Cetrons seemed veiled, the Sovteks were magical (what mids), and the Sophias were clear, open, and well balanced. Each time I put the 2a3's in, I was immediately hooked on an emotional level with the music and I found it hard to remove them. I like them a lot. But for overall musical balance I prefer the Sophias.

I should add that my preamp is an AES AE-3. This means I have two 6SN7s in the preamp and three in the SE-1. What one chooses for these tubes has an enormous effect on the overall sound as well as the choice of power tubes.

Hi Bill, I suppose that you like those NOS Sylvania 6SN7 tubes in the Microzotl. You might try the same thing in your preamp and amp. I always thought that the Sylvanias were the best of the 6SN7 tube family. They will definitely make a difference.
A real nice inexpensive 300B is the JJ Tesla. They do real well for only about $100.

edle235 posts 01-09-2003 12:41am If you really go for the SE Triode thing, you should get yourself a pair of highest efficient speakers that you can get or build ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All DHT's SET /PP, both circuits require high(er) eff speakers,. Horn/Concentric, whatever. My prefered choice is FR. And yes with my Dual W8 + W6 I get pretty good bass ext to 50hz, as both drivers deliver to 50hz, thats double the bass punch. The W8 says 45hz in the specs, but who knows. WE choose the SET/PP for its pure midrange, so a high(er) sens speaker is a must. I believe 95db is really ideal but adding a 2nd FR requires a bit lower, like 92/03db, which the W6 is, 93db. Midrange is not overly thick, and both drivers blend like a delicious bouillbaisse, or even a soprano/tenor duo aria in a Puccini opera.

There are plenty of listeners with extensive experience with all of the low-powered triodes that love the 300b for its midrange beauty.  I personally think it delivers a slightly bloated and mushy bass, a slightly rolled off top end and less dynamic contrast than the 2a3 (I own a parallel single-ended 2a3 amp).  On the other hand, the 2a3 might be considered a bit lean compared to the 300b.

If one can deal with the extremely low output of the 45, I think that is a geat sounding tube—deep and tight bass, good extension on top, clear sound without being lean (I have a pushpull 45 amp.