Before you give-up on the 300B

Posted by AstroSonic (A) on September 16, 2004 at 11:43:06

In Reply to: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b posted by Frank on September 16, 2004 at 00:29:37:

Frank,

The SE-1 is a nice amplifier and the 300B is an outstanding power output tube. Before you decide the 300B is a bit too mellow there are a few things you can check.

1) Check the coupling caps. If you have the paper in oil caps you can get more 'snap' and air by switching to teflons. I think that the Signature model may have used paper in oil coupling caps. Many like the detailed, yet natural and relaxed sound these have. To some extent it is a matter of system synergy, blending the sonic signature of the various components, speakers and cables to get a desired sound quality.

2) If you are using electrolytics in the power supply try bypassing with film caps at something like 10% of their value. The Signature model may already have this.

3) Your interconnects and/or speaker cables could be mellowing out the sound. If you are not sure do a search on the cables forum here to see if there is a consesus view on their sonic character.

4) Check and possibly upgrade crossover caps in the tweeter circuit. Replace bipolar electrolytics and mylars with film caps of the same value. What speakers are you using?

5) Last but not least...upgrade the output transformers. This is not really all that expensive, considering the cost of a pair of output tubes.

If any of the above items are mellowing the sound, changing output tubes (to 2A3's or 45's) may not result in the improvement you are after. The cap upgrades are relatively inexpensive and very cost effective.

All the best,

Bob

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - Frank 00:29:37 09/16/04 (15)

Every time I mention the 45 to my Father... - Sector-7G 04:40:49 09/20/04 (0)

"modify to a direct-coupled 2A3? " - andy evans 13:25:17 09/16/04 (5)

Re: "modify to a direct-coupled 2A3? " - Kuei Yang Wang - The real one 13:38:28 09/16/04 (4)

Kuei or Kwei is one of the rarest common Chinese surnames! - GKwei 17:33:23 09/26/04 (2)

likely not.... - Ed Sawyer 19:58:40 09/26/04 (1)

Re: likely not.... - GKwei 16:54:31 09/27/04 (0)

Re: "modify to a direct-coupled 2A3? " - andy evans 15:39:46 09/16/04 (0)

Before you give-up on the 300B - AstroSonic 09/16/0411:43:06 09/16/04 (1)

Re: Before you give-up on the 300B - frank 13:03:21 09/16/04 (0)

Re: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - keto 08:18:25 09/16/04 (0)

Re: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - Kloss 06:21:59 09/16/04 (2)

Re: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - njjohn 04:00:33 09/17/04 (1)

When you have systems that can produce low bass you notice the problems SET amps have there - Kloss 06:44:48 09/17/04 (0)

Re: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - JLH 04:46:24 09/16/04 (0)

Re: 2a3 vs 45 vs 300b - Frank 00:32:13 09/16/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Before you give-up on the 300B - AstroSonic 09/16/0411:43:06 09/16/04 (1)

Re: Before you give-up on the 300B - frank 13:03:21 09/16/04 (0)

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