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Sonic qualities of SET output tubes?

Can you readily identify a 300B, 2A3, 805, 211, etc., amp’s sound with your eyes closed most of the time?


If so, I’sure would like to hear from you.


Amplifier design and the technology utilized within its confines decides the ‘voice’ or influence it will yield as much or more so than merely the output tubes the designer has chosen to use.


I get that part emphatically. One must hear the amp regardless the type of output tube technology on hand.


And yes, some Pentodes and Tetrodes are used as Triodes but are not indeed triodes by their specific architecture. That’s OK, just focus on their use as Triodes herein, please.


There are however certain tube types, irrespective of vintage which have basic undeniable sonic colors or characteristics, apart from their electrical aspects which keep attracting people to amps which use this or that tube in its output stage.


Some love 211s. some adore 300Bs. Some love EL34s configured to run as Triodes. I have an affinity for the latter. So far anyway. This topic could change my mind.


Has your own experience informed you what this or that output tube’s natural flavor regularly announces itself to be so you can have a reasonable expectation of its general presentation?


What sonic attribute continually attracts you to a particular SET tube design, 300B or some others?


Or, conversely, what is it about the sound that would bring you to covet a 211 amp over a 2A3, for example.


Why as another example, would you pick a 2A3 amp over one using 805s or 300B, 211, etc. or vice versa?


Removing ‘vintages’ and electronic or electrical qualities from the argument, what sonic attributes for the more popular S.E.T. amp output tubes have you determined seem to persist in their particular DNA?


I’m asking for input from those SET tube devotees to lend their experiences and knowledge on the subject of what tube sounds like what irrespective of the SET application, generally speaking.


My goal is to try getting a better feel for which SET Tube amp design, if any, I’d want to pursue and possibly invest heavily into going forward as the soul of a new system.


Tremendous thanks to all!

blindjim
stfoth
435 posts
 
swampwalker--how are you getting the NHT X1 to work?  doesn't it have some sort of built in compensation/eq?
blindjim OP
2,837 posts
 
Upon further review….
Until I gain more personal exp this project will be done on a much more limited basis. So it’s a secondary system effort for me going forward.

I simply don’t feel confident enough to move ahead all in with the limited exp I presently have. This means too, speaker choices should have grown a bit.

To date, both EL34 amps I’ve heard I’ve really really loved their sound. The Thor 30’s in triode, and the Dodd monos in ultralinear. And, in that order.

Going forward, speaker choices will attempt to will lend themselves towards easy IMP curves, and higher sensitivities so a future triode amp might could swing with them occasionally.

Blindjim > Charles > your list is quite welcomed. Thanks.

Blindjim > Swampwalker, THX for the nod to Columbia, you’re right. The very next step will be to travel. Do a show or two. Hopefully things will settle up before CES.
BTW… I sort of figured all along relieving the what ever amp of duty below 100 - 120Hz was just about a given, and subs would take over from there down.

Maybe there are some nifty dealerships around the Birmingham area I can check out as that is my next stop for a follow up on some medical issues in a couple months or so.

Inna > One thing is certain - more powerful SET amps done right are very expensive.
Blihndjim > Inna would you mind shooting in a few SET amps done really right options here?

I see nothing with regard to how should I say it, more main stream high eff speaker makers like Coincident … Daedalus… grand Venna… etc. being submitted? Do these ‘main stream’ units pale by comparison to the ones just now listed?
Not efficient enough?

I’m putting Ayon triton III INT, Coincident’s 211 monos, the top Prima Luna monos, Atmas monos, Bernings amp, on the so far short list of tube amps. Manley, VAC and VTL come and go from it periodically. I’ll count out no one at the moment. Nor dismiss buying pre-owned. It ain’t gotta be monos. My pride will accept a 2ch one chassis amp. I just won’t tell anyone about it. Lol

All of the Input here has been and is simply fantastic. And greatly appreciated.

kdude66
1,198 posts
 
blindjim,

Thank You for starting this thread,
It's been a wealth of knowledge for me and others.
There is a bunch of high quality tube amps on the market nowadays and sometimes it just makes picking one that much tougher.

I look at myself traveling down this audiophile road and I know It's a journey and my ears are in the drivers seat while the rest of my body just kicks back and enjoys the music,because all of this gear we buy and or talk about is really just the "Means to the enjoyment of music playback in our homes"and for me It's all about the music.

I wish you the best of luck in your journey of finding the sound that gets you a closer connection to the music you Love.

Kenny.
blindjim OP
2,837 posts
 
blindjim > Kenny. no problemo.

life is a learning process and with any past time learning is key. it will diminish the hurt of buying the wrong thing or things, or paying too much... or not enough.

so long as I keep learning, I reamin young. to stop learning, allows the aging to progress.

inna
5,245 posts
 
Yup, not paying enough is the biggest mistake audiophiles make. Paying too much is the second biggest mistake.
SETs done right? I already mentioned LAMM and Wavac. Never heard the latter but some here did.
More to discover