2. amps-preamps
  3. 173149-136265

SET Shootout China VS The USA

2A3 SET from china arrives any day now.

The tech who loaned me his UX250 (aka 50 Tube) amp, with a  12AU7 in front + a  6BH7 (??) , has incredible pure Cobalt out trans. ($1k+ each back in 2000, now no longer in production). . he will help me set up the  2A3. 

Has a  AX+AU my 2 fav front tubes anda   quad of 2A3's. 

My speakers are pure neutrality, no coloration, no distortion,. 

So whatever amp/ source you plug in, will register the nuances inherent in the circuit.

Will be very interesting. 

USA has pure cobalt out trans which gives the edge in power, but the china 2A3 has a 2 tubes per channel.

Gonna be interesting and will post a  YT upload with comments,

AFTER TESTING IS COMPLETEED.

Hand on to your horses at the OK Corral. 

Grab a  beer at the saloon, 

sundown shootout at the edge of town. 

 

mozartfan
alexberger
938 posts
 

Hi @mozartfan ,

 

Japanese SET audiophiles adore US made speakers like Altec and WE and German Klangfilm speakers. Jean Hiraga used Altec A7, A5 with crossovers designed by himself.
Another Japanese legend - Sakuma used 300B amplifiers and British made Lowther FR speakers. They don’t use Diatone full range speakers! They also preferred German EMT and British Garrard turntables over Japanese turntables.

EV drivers are much cheaper bult vs vintage Altec, JBL, Vitavox drivers.

I prefer horn compression driver speakers over full range for more balanced sound. BUT a few people use FR properly - with front horn and additional low frequency section.

 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@larryi

I know that there is a strong desire to come to conclusions about various aspects of design or parts choice, but, it really is not that simple to do. The more I hear, the LESS I am able to draw definitive conclusions in these areas, although I do see rough tendencies.

I can appreciate @mozartfan’s enthusiasm with his recent discoveries, but do agree with you concerning broad sweeping conclusions. I will say that DHT tubes just seem to produce a very impressive natural sound that I find exceedingly special.

I will be the first to admit however variables such as builder/designer talent, attention to detail and quality parts selection are crucial and vital factors. We all have our preferences. DHTs used and executed properly simply get it done for me.

BTW the 307 tube is not a DHT but is in a fact a pentode tube.

Charles

ghasley
2,507 posts
 

@charles1dad 

BTW the 307 tube is not a DHT but is in a fact a pentode tube.

 

But it sounded like a SET DHT in the Youtube video!

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

😊

Charles 

jond's avatar
jond
5,974 posts
 

@charles1dad @larryi and @alexberger well said all around on tubes and the Japanese influence on audio. And @pesky_wabbit what amp are you running?

@mozartfan you're getting tons of great info and advice on this thread but you need to start listening to actual amps and not youtube. You seem to have a good tech maybe you could commission him to build you an amp or two using these tube types that fascinate you?

More to discover