2. amps-preamps
  3. 1299280867

SET pre-amplification?

I recently took an old 6b4g SET amp and converted it into a preamp. WOW!...I never have been so close! I get 90% of that SET sound but with the benefit of a higher power tube or SS amp at the end of the chain. I am still playing with this and I have found the only draw back is hum. It is 60 Htz which is normal heater hum so possibly the filaments should be DC heated not AC. Just sharing so you to can experiment. Good luck!
jayb77
jayb77 OP
46 posts
 
Yes! That was my reasoning behind my 6b4g amp. All the glory of a 2a3 but a 3rd of the price. Or less. But I dont have to give up quality. I am quite surprised by the performance of my old SET amp and the tubes have a good long life.
jayb77 OP
46 posts
 
And yea manufacturers love to baffle with BS instead of Wow with wisdom. its just marketing given its bad marketing. I try to learn as much as I can before a purchase. Ive learned you need to KNOW not think you know in this hobby or you will be taken advantage of quickly and you will be broke with a bad sounding rig and that my friend is a travesty.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,784 posts
 
Jayb77 have you tried using a 45 or a type 10? They make less power, so you can get greater bandwidth out of the OPT (and you don't really need the power). Plus the 45 is supposed to have it all over the 2A3 (although I suspect that most of that has to do with the additional bandwidth you get the the lower power).
markxiii
109 posts
 
Supratek DHT preamps (Cabernet and Grange) use 45, 300B, PX4, 101D, 26 or 33 type tubes and have that beguiling SET magic.
jayb77 OP
46 posts
 
Atmasphere I am considering the purchase of a Jame Burgess 45 right now. My brother let me hear his and wow. Just when you think it couldnt get better.....it is. As soon as I get it I will give my thoughts butIm sure Ill like it.
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