Home » Audio » Thermionic Emissions » Ultimate single ended Triode amp
Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10558] Fri, 05 March 2004 08:01 Go to next message
akhilesh is currently offline  akhilesh
Messages: 1275
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
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


Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10560 is a reply to message #10558] Fri, 05 March 2004 09:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Phil Wilson is currently offline  Phil Wilson
Messages: 23
Registered: May 2009
Chancellor
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?

Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10561 is a reply to message #10558] Fri, 05 March 2004 12:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Andrewbee is currently offline  Andrewbee
Messages: 8
Registered: May 2009
Esquire
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


Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10563 is a reply to message #10558] Fri, 05 March 2004 15:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Seeker is currently offline  Seeker
Messages: 48
Registered: May 2009
Baron
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?

Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10565 is a reply to message #10563] Sat, 06 March 2004 11:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
akhilesh is currently offline  akhilesh
Messages: 1275
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
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

Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10566 is a reply to message #10561] Sat, 06 March 2004 11:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
akhilesh is currently offline  akhilesh
Messages: 1275
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
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

Re: Ultimate single ended Triode amp [message #10657 is a reply to message #10566] Wed, 04 August 2004 14:04 Go to previous message
Steve is currently offline  Steve
Messages: 83
Registered: May 2009
Viscount
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

Previous Topic: ASL Si15-DT
Next Topic: Single-Ended Bits
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Thu Mar 28 06:50:43 CDT 2024

Sponsoring Organizations

DIY Audio Projects
DIY Audio Projects
OddWatt Audio
OddWatt Audio
Pi Speakers
Pi Speakers
Prosound Shootout
Prosound Shootout
Smith & Larson Audio
Smith & Larson Audio
Tubes For Amps
TubesForAmps.com

Lone Star Audiofest