300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?


Felix Audio makes the dual 300B amp "Lybra"--are there any other manufacturers of that gear?.Does anyone have experience using two each 300B tube amps modified to be two monoblocks with 15/16 watts output power each? If yes, did you hear any difference in the exquisite 300B sound other than more power? All experiences and thoughts appreciated. (Yes, expense is already noted)

Ag insider logo xs@2xcondosound

For everyone here who is considering a zero feedback 300b amplifier, something you should know which has to do with the loudspeakers you plan to use: http://www.atma-sphere.com/en/resources-paradigms-in-amplifier-design.html

The short explanation is this: tube amplifiers with no feedback don’t adhere to the Voltage drive principles of about 99% of all loudspeakers made. That 1% left over are nearly all made by high end audio loudspeaker manufacturers. Zero feedback tube amps try to make constant power with respect to the speaker impedance rather than constant Voltage. This means if you mix the two technologies you’ll get some sort of tonal aberration.

In particular if the amp in question is also an SET, plan on having a speaker that is a bit more efficient! This is because all SETs that are zero feedback only have about 20-25% usable power- above that power level distortion causes the amp to sound ’dynamic’.

You might think that ’7 Watts is enough’; here’s a tip: Its the mark of the best systems that they do not sound loud even when they are. If a system sounds loud when a sound level pressure meter (available as an app for any phone) shows that it really isn’t, what is happening is distortion is being interpreted by the ear as sound pressure.

Put another way, if your speakers are efficient enough that the SET never needs to make more than about 25% of full power you’ll really start to hear the best of what that amp can do. In case there’s any doubt, this is part of why horns were so common in the 1950s and prior.

@wig appreciate the feedback. The Luxman iron was a custom order in your case ? I don't see it mentioned on their website.

 

@debjit_g 

The type of iron is dependent on what he have on hand but it will be very good with whatever iron he uses 😊

Wig

@atmasphere thanks for the info. Wonderful explanation. Yes, my speakers Cube Audio Nenuphar is a single wide band driver. The manufacturer recommends amps with 0 or low feedback design, which will also have low damping factor. I have gone through some amps, and fine these recommendation matter a lot when it comes to the bass performance. 

The type of iron is dependent on what he have on hand but it will be very good with whatever iron he uses 😊

That's cool. Do you mind sharing what speakers are you pairing with it ?