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Once you go 300b it’s hard to go back?

It’s been a while since posting here and total change in my system. I’ve been on the lower power trip and been using a first watt sit2 for years and rotating preamps. I’m now using Omega 1.5 Alinco speakers.  I recently picked up a Line Magnetic 210, a 300b set integreted. I have been loving it. Barley pushing 1 watt according to the meter. Then I purchased some new tubes the Elrog 300b and EML rectifiers. Almost spending more on tubes than the amp it self. I have ignored responsibilities because it’s hard to step away from the music. Everything sounds wonderfully intoxicating.  The simplicity of the integrated, and the lovely glow of sound coming from the tubes. I knew tubes could sound great but really impressed with an integrated amp. 
 
guf
gsm18439
738 posts
 
Lewinshih01: As I mentioned, I have owned both Yamamoto A-08 and DejaVu 45/2A3 SETs. I liked them both - a lot. Neither was very expensive, and both had good resale value. (I just needed a little more power, plus my 300b SET was custom made to work with a CDP/pre-amp by the same designer.)

djdonis: I wish I had your engineering and musical skills. 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi Lewinskih01,
I believe that either of these 2 choices you mentioned would be wonderful and make you very happy. Another option is Aric Audio, they can built you a very fine single chassis SET amplifier using whatever output tube you prefer. Mac48025 who posted earlier has 2 amplifiers built by Aric and he says the sound quality, customer service and built quality are first rate. I definitely trust his assessment having personally meeting him.
You have terrific choices. DHT SET are truly excellent with the proper speaker. Best of luck to you. 
Charles
jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
@thom_mackris Everything you wrote makes perfect sense thank you. I should have also been wary of making a blanket statement about tube type. I am sure there are great amps out there using the 300B tube and probably a few mediocre amps using 2A3s or 45s. I know the importance of a good power supply but hadn't thought of driver tubes in quite that context very interesting!
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi jond,
Yep, overall implementation and appropriate attention paid to the power supply and output transformers are simply unavoidable  vital decision points. 300b amplifiers can range from lush,slow and very colored to outstanding clarity, transparency and naturalness. Depends on the builder and quality of execution.
Charles
skanda
40 posts
 
While I don't have experience with that model, I haven't heard a Line Magnetic amp that I didn't adore. I've even run them on dynaudios with great results - makes no sense on paper but the music is beautiful
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