Pass or First Watt

Bob,
What are your current speakers?There`re a number of 2A3 amps available, which amp and what brand/type 2A3 tube do you have? I understand EML makes an excellent mesh and solid plate 2A3.
Thanks,

Charles1dad,

My speakers are Lamhorns, I just started using the 2a3 amp and prior to that a Ait Tight 300b amp. I have not done any tube rolling yet with the 2a3 so Iknow that I can improve to my taste the sound and the EML mesh is on my short list.

Thanks Bob,
It`d be a lot of fun to hear your amp with a premium level 2A3 such as the EML vs the First Watt SIT-1.Hope the opprotunity happens for you.
Regards,

Mark at Reno HiFi is always very helpful and great to do business with.

I have a horn system in my home, efficiency is a bit over 100 dB / watt. There is only one solid state amp. that I have ever heard that I would consider running with it, the Pass Aleph J. Literally, almost indistinguishable from my 300b amps.

I have owned the RWA Signature 30.2 as well. I like the amp alot, the sound is very, very different though. Very full, thick and warm sounding, where as the Aleph J was as delicate and light and pleasant as a 300b amp. If I had less efficient speakers, the RWA would probably be better as it would have a little more grunt, but if you are running comfortably on a few watts, the Aleph J is a winner.

All that being said, if your tube amp is noisy, it is simply a poorly designed tube amp and or some bad tubes. I have a pair of Audio Note Kits Interstage Monoblocks that are completely and utterly silent with my horn setup. I have also auditioned a Yamamoto and Wavac that were completely silent as well. My 2 cents.