6C33-B vs everything else.

Jeff. Per your thought that the 6c33c is quite destructive when they failed in your VK60s, and therefore you would not consider another amp that uses this power tube. Certainly any type of problem is a pain in the rear and I am sorry you had a bad problem.

It seems to me it is how the circuit in your amp dealt with the tube failure that caused the destruction you experienced. I am not aware that the 6c33c exhibits any unusual characteristics such that failures with that tube would result in problems that would not occur if a different output tube had a similar failure when used in the same circuit.

Darkmoebius,

Almarro is said to release details for a non-NFB version of the A318B. It's supposed to be warmer sounding with denser imaging w/o losing the dynamics. Maybe, you should contact your dealer about the retrofit

Hi KT_88,

You've never stated whether you are interested in a SET or PP amp and the type of speakers you have. Unfortunately, there is such a big difference in power output between the 300B & 6C33C-B (both SET & PP) that under 94dB and a fairly steady impedence your speakers will be a larger determining factor in the resulting sound than the amp. By that, I mean bass performance primarily.

300B's and 90dB speakers was good for most jazz trio, acoustic, chamber, and quartet types of music. Even most low key rock at moderate levels. But, if you still have the Quicksilver V4's and Meadowlarks, I think you'll find stepping down to 300B SET, or even PP, might be underwhelming. 120 wpc driving 89dB speakers gives pretty good control.

celebrer_le_temps,

I actually sold the Almarro a month or so ago along with the Reynaud monitors so I could focus on just one system. To clarify my comments a little more, I don't think the A318B needs anything, it is excellent as it is. It just happened to be a little less than perfect with a very unique speaker - the I-Bens. That's just the way it is with single drivers, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 95% of other efficient enough speakers are going to sound awesome.

Darkmoebius,

You have went to the trouble of researching me on Agon quite well. My complements to your industrious ambitions.

As far as what I have.....

I have done much traveling in the last 3 years and have sold all but my Meadowlarks. So basically I am starting over. Now the room I will be using for audio is not so large 16' X 15 'True the Kestrels are at 89db but, me being a person that works with things that are measured in db reference all day long, believe that I can get away with some things in regards to " what can or what will work "

I have long read about ( but have never heard ) the 300B tube. I thought perhaps if I could find the 300B in a PP setup running between 20-40 watts I could make it work in my system. I'm sure if I tried this by simply disconnecting something such as the V4's I would immediately feel I was robbed of certain aspects of my music. But I thought by finding a good integrated ( price wise ) I could hopefully enjoy the beauty of the 300B. I notice used 300B integrateds on Agon occasionally and thought I might try my luck with one. If i enjoyed the sound I could upgrade my speakers and even go to a SET 300B. I know it is possible after all my fuss I could very well go back to Quicksilver perhaps on a smaller scale of amp such as the Mid-Mono. But one never knows if is afriad to try.

Of course if there is someone out there that is crazy enough to let me demo their ( dealers included ) 300B amp. Feel free to write me :)

I actually have spent a bit of time listening to Meadowlark Kestrel HotRods being driven by a 300B Cary 300SEI integrated SET amp about 5 years ago. The sound was very warm, smooth, and engaging. A bit soft on the top and bottom ends, but I later realized that had more to do with the Cary than the HR's when I had a 300SEI at my house for a few weeks.

So, I don't doubt that you can get great performance from Meadowlarks and 300B's.

It's not clear whether you are hoping to find a 300B PP amp putting out 20-40 watts per channel or 20-40 watts total(10-20 per channel). 20-40wpc is nearly impossible with a standard 300B being kept within it's most linear range of operation. Most amp designers like to keep the 300B somewhere between 6-8wpc single-ended, 10 wpc is really pushing that tube to it's max cleanly. PP results are simply twice that amount. So, a really good PP amp that is staying in the sweet spot distortion-wise, will most likely yield 12-20 wpc at most. I know Cary and some other manufaturers like to claim 15-20 wpc single-ended, but that kind out output is highly suspect. It's possible, but you probably won't find them quoting distortion specs anywhere near their max.

Manley Laboratories makes the Neo-Classic SE/PP 300B amp that puts out 11wpp SET and 24 wpc PP. Their amps are extremely well made and sound fantastic. Not cheap, though.

The other options are amps running the monster 300B variants like KR Audio's 300BXLS tube. These puppys need a lot more current to run, but will legitimately put out 15-25 wpc SET. Although, if you simply drop these tubes into a standard 300B amp without current modification, you'll only get the normal 8 wpc.

Art Audio and KR Audio, itself, make 15-25 wpc SET's using the 300BXLS tube. They're awesome, but pretty expensive. I don't think I know of anyone making PP amps with them.

Don't write off 845 SET amps, they kick ass and I like them just as much as 300B's. You get 16-25 wpc of meaty, luscious, power with serious low frequency punch.

I think it will easier to find a great 845 SET than it will be to find a great 300B PP amp. Price-wise, neither will be cheap.