2A3 vs. 300B single end triode....

Craig, I'm just teasing. I love this amp!
You guys are the only ones that I can share it with, because nobody else I know can even comprehend what I'm talking about with this amp. I hope you don't mind that I mention it from time to time, because I just need to share the joy that I am getting from it.

I'm a dealer, so beware! But I had to put my 2 cents worth in. My Sophia Princess 300 B uses a 6SL7,El-34,and 300B.Best I've heard yet, But I've not heard them all. So take it for what it's worth.

I prefer the 2A3 overall for classical such as string quartets, small scale orchestral and jazz; music that rarely utilize instruments where low frequency extension is required. While the 300B gives a better lower frequency extension and twice the power, the 2A3 is, to me, a more musical tube. All things being equal (which they never are), a 2A3 amp with my high gain preamp takes away the 300B's edge in power. That's why I use it over a 300B (though Twl has given me an interest in the 45).

Since my budget doesn't provide for a Berning custom designed and built amp (though I did buy twl's microZOTL for headphones when he parted with it for his new unit -thanks twl), I use an AES SE-1 which can use either 2a3 or 300b tubes. I much prefer the Sovtek 2a3 tubes over the Cetron 300b tubes that came with the unit. However, when I tried Sophia 300b tubes I had found the right tube for my system/taste. - The Cetrons seemed veiled, the Sovteks were magical (what mids), and the Sophias were clear, open, and well balanced. Each time I put the 2a3's in, I was immediately hooked on an emotional level with the music and I found it hard to remove them. I like them a lot. But for overall musical balance I prefer the Sophias.

I should add that my preamp is an AES AE-3. This means I have two 6SN7s in the preamp and three in the SE-1. What one chooses for these tubes has an enormous effect on the overall sound as well as the choice of power tubes.

Hi Bill, I suppose that you like those NOS Sylvania 6SN7 tubes in the Microzotl. You might try the same thing in your preamp and amp. I always thought that the Sylvanias were the best of the 6SN7 tube family. They will definitely make a difference.
A real nice inexpensive 300B is the JJ Tesla. They do real well for only about $100.