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Hi Everyone, OK. I have a zen amp and am really happy with it. The zen se84C uses sv83 pentodes run in triode mode. Apparently these are faster than the standard single plate triodes. I would like, at some point to build an "ultimate" SET. Some questions arise, that we can discuss: 1. What tube is best? I believe the 300B is best, thought the 2a# is supposed to be more mellow in the treble? My personal tastes run to more analytical...meaning I don;t really go for TOO much tube in the sound. 2. Is it actually worth the money to build something like this, given I already have a zen and this has mor then enough power for all my speakers? I mean, given my efficient speakers, would a 300B with good OPTs actually add anything to the sound over the se-84Cs? any thoughts are welcome. thanx -akhilesh
I am interested in people's thoughts on this as well. I also have a Zen (the Select version, which is the same circuit and tubes as Akhilesh's). I also love my amp but I have noticed in my limited listening experience that the higher-powered tube amps (like Akhilesh's kit from S-5 Electonics and Mark Margiotta's Music Reference - both push-pulls - and even the Paramour's) seem to have more authority in the lower frequencies, even on the single driver speakers Akhilesh and I own. I haven't had enough A/B listening to identify what you lose with this (if anything) but it is something I've noticed. Since I want to build an amp sometime, I will probably do a higher-powered version when I do it (probably a kit, but someday I'd like to do one from scratch). Also, from what I read, it sounds like other than the tube you choose that the power transformers are the key upgrades to make the "ultimate" amp. What transformers do people think are the best?
Firstly, there is no ultimate anything. With s.e.t.s the imo most important parts are the p/s and opt. If you don't need more power than the zens then may I suggest you take a look here. AB S.E OTL
Hey Akhilesh, except for Welborne Labs 300B amps, all the ones I've heard have that euphonic tube sound that you mentioned you don't care for. If I wanted to make a change just to make a change, I would get a pair of Ron's newer DRD 300B amps without the rectifier tube. Personally, I prefer the 2A3 tube. What speakers are you using?
HI Seeker, Klipschorns (104 db) & a pair of home built vintage driver full ranges (eff around 94 db) Thanx for the pointer will focus more on the wellbornes. -akhilesh
HI Andrew, You are right. It;s always a journey. I heard the OTLs were unstable...is that true? plus they are humongously complex & expensive. -akhilesh
Hi Guys, Jack G. has some comments from years of working with 300b SET amps. For whatever it is worth. http://www.audioannex.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=tube&Number=10691&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0 Take care. Steve