Tube amps known to have a low damping factor?

In tube amps the loop negative feedback is a big factor in the resulting damping factor. For example an OTL can be built with a damping factor of 50:1 if you have enough feedback. IMO such a large amount of feedback does nothing to improve the resulting sound, and also it should be considered that no speaker made needs more than 20:1, and many of them like a lot less.

An example of the latter are open baffle designs- in order to get them to play bass the amp might have a damping factor of 0.5:1 or less and yes, that's not a typo. IOW, a *lot* depends on the speaker and the designer's intent!

Are there any tube amps with DF higher than 20? You don't see that much, I don't think.

The Wolcott's are capable of a df higher than 20, much higher.

ralph noted...a *lot* depends on the speaker and the designer's intent!

AMEN. Look backwards from any driver after a crossover and let me know exactly how high (or low) DF can be a meaningful figure of merit.

dave

Highly overrated spec? I hope so - my CAT JL2 and current amp have tiny little DFs, yet I had/have well controlled, tuneful bass. High DF might very well make my speaker sound constipated.