For horn/hi eff aficionados: 801A/10Y SE DH triode monoblocks with 12BH7 preamp

[anubisgrau]

For sale is my cherished pair of bespoken 801A/10Y single ended monoblocks built by Tatic Audio to use with hi efficient horns. After 5 years of use I switched to Thomas Mayer 300b amp so these have to go.

They have around 3.6w per channel in A2 Class, accept both 801A and 10Y family of tubes (801A, 10Y, 10, UX-210, VT-25, VT-62)

http://vinylsavor.blogspot.com/2012/02/tube-of-month-10y.html
http://vinylsavor.blogspot.com/2014/04/tube-of-month-801a.html

They are direct coupled, no passive components on signal path except for wire and tubes. The topology shares some ideas from Shishido/Loftin White DC schematic however there are some different and, according to the designer, upgraded solutions.

Power supply is tube (5U4, 5R4, GZ34 family x 1) rectified, voltage gas tube stabilized (108C1 x 4), CLCLC - filtered.

The topology of the active part is:

E180F (driver) direct coupling ECC88 (cathode follower) direct coupling 801A/10Y (output tubes) - double C core OPTs. All DC regulated for low noise. Silver wired throughout with lots of boutique parts inside. Fixed bias with top plate switch plus amper-meters for easy dial (you don't need an instrument, just keep the current in green - see the pics).

Extremely clean sound, detailed, extended, rich and fast. Pretty much the best you can get from a tungsten thoriated 801A/10Y tube. Think of 211 with less power but more finesse and subtlety.

Tatic Audio is a boutique manufacturer from Serbia - think of NAT, Trafomatic, Karan, Aurus - just better and more dedicated. Very specialized in tungsten thoriated tubes, neat work, not really interested in quantities or so. Quite a following in Asia (as they go crazy for 801A/10Y sound).

These were commissioned by me in summer 2009 to power my 112db sensitive horns Oris Swing so it was an ultimate task to make it noise free and silent. I got these six months later and they stayed in my system until recently, when it took a 12k+VAT Thomas Mayer 300b amp to dethrone them. Ultimately, margin is small. I would say it has more to do with my age shift in listening taste towards 300b coloration than any serious SQ difference. They stayed 5 years in my room - by far the longest. If you have horns or hi eff speakers and struggle with amplification noise and SQ, you don't have to look elsewhere. You won't find anything so good for nowhere near this price.

These are cheap to maintain: tubes use is very mellow, i only changed a pair of rectifiers, drivers and power tubes in 5 years (mere 120 GBP total for 5 years). 801A/10Y have very reasonable price: the vintage NOS pairs are around 75 GBP, E180F drivers not more than 20 GBP a pair.

They will be properly packed for a safe delivery however I can only deliver them to London as these can not be sent (I'm based in Belgrade). A single monoblock has approx 40 kilos, so the whole pack of 3 units is around 100kg. My couriers can probably deliver in 100km radius from London at cost, or an audiophile taxi should be arranged by a buyer.

My price is 2200 euros, delivered to London. Due to very weak euro at the moment this is bellow 1600GBP - I consider this as a bargain.

As a bonus and a part of the whole package, you get for free a Tatic Audio 12BH7 preamplifier plus a spare pair of Sylvania power (10Y) and Phillips driver (E180F SQ goldpin) tubes. Pls mind that the preamp is excellent but for the best result I would suggest a DHT preamp (Tatic Audio can build it around 45 as a part of their regular program or you can look around). For sure it can serve you well before you upgrade it to the level of monoblocks.

Pls note that the GZ34 rectifier was borrowed from a friend for listening, I will deliver these with another decent 5U4/5R4 type (I have to see what new ones I have in my stash).

Pics are following in the next posts.

[anubisgrau]

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02422_zpsk4b1beh9.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02438_zpsjvgnv1kx.jpg

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http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02445_zps69m1ocpo.jpg

[anubisgrau]

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02426_zpsk14txmxr.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02430_zpssw86jv1k.jpg

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http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/Gordan_Paunovic/media/DSC02427_zps475yo18n.jpg.html?o=18

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02432_zpsdqggpyny.jpg

http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/Gordan_Paunovic/media/DSC02436_zpssppfxktf.jpg.html?o=14

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02469_zpsgwgsg80t.jpg

http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/Gordan_Paunovic/media/DSC02466_zpsq87hqvqq.jpg.html?o=5

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02466_zpsq87hqvqq.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02452_zpsnemu8cvy.jpg

[anubisgrau]

Preamp:



http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02464_zpsntue0aw1.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02456_zpscmsduxcq.jpg

http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/Gordan_Paunovic/media/DSC02457_zps3aajvohv.jpg.html?o=1

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02455_zpsqhuvin0b.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02457_zps3aajvohv.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02458_zpstaxp8kge.jpg

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag410/Gordan_Paunovic/DSC02443_zps5i6fxajb.jpg

[walpurgis]

That's lovely looking kit Gordan.

[rdpx]

I love seeing stuff on here when I have no idea what it really is.

Very nice looking pieces, Gordan. I especially like "Hand maded in Serbia"

:)

[anubisgrau]

I especially like "Hand maded in Serbia"


ahahah OMG. i haven't actually noticed this. brilliant!

[martinswimmer]

Or translated back into Serbian - "ovim rucicama"

[User211]

Pretty cool love the brown base Sylvania VT-25 - nice looking valve.

[lordmortlock]

Come on Jake ... Just keep repeating it ...

'4 watts won't drive LVs ... 4 watts won't drive LVs ...' Etc

[anubisgrau]

haha, no they wouldn't!

sale pending, btw...

[lordmortlock]

And rightly so. Lovely amps!

[sjs]

They look very nice Gordan, your new Thomas Meyer amps must be really rather nice!

[anubisgrau]

They look very nice Gordan, your new Thomas Meyer amps must be really rather nice!

thanks yes, but frankly a margin is surprisingly small given the price difference, i think in the end it was all down to intrinsic differences between the "sound" of 300b and 10y. but i had an urge to live a dream to finally have a good 300b amp as 95% i've heard i simply didn't like.

now sold.

[sjs]

Did you go for Elrog 300B?

I will also agree about 95% of 300B amps 😉

[anubisgrau]

No, I have no money for Elrog. I would also prefer to hear one before I buy as I've switched from a thoriated tungsten DHT to 300B.
I have a pair of WE reissues and a pair of Psvane T MkII for everyday, that does an OK job. Also a pair of Svetlanas that sounds very good but one is losing a contact in the base and I don't wanna stress the amps with it.

[sjs]

No, I have no money for Elrog. I would also prefer to hear one before I buy as I've switched from a thoriated tungsten DHT to 300B.
I have a pair of WE reissues and a pair of Psvane T MkII for everyday, that does an OK job. Also a pair of Svetlanas that sounds very good but one is losing a contact in the base and I don't wanna stress the amps with it.

I have a pair of Elrog 300B and compared with EH Gold grid and generic Shuguang. The Elrog is v similar tonal balance to EH but with more detail, clarity and inner finesse, it is v nice indeed, but possibly not the warmth or tone you will get from the Western Electrics.

[Ali Tait]

No, I have no money for Elrog. I would also prefer to hear one before I buy as I've switched from a thoriated tungsten DHT to 300B.
I have a pair of WE reissues and a pair of Psvane T MkII for everyday, that does an OK job. Also a pair of Svetlanas that sounds very good but one is losing a contact in the base and I don't wanna stress the amps with it.

You could try re-soldering the pin.

[sjs]

Gordan
Which version of the Thomas Mayer amp did you go for, he has shown 3 different ones on his site recently, 10Y-300B, 300B-300B and 6SN7-300B
Thx Simon

[anubisgrau]

Mine is closest to the last of these - 6N7 - 300B, also accepts 6J5 as a driver. Also with vastly oversized PSU with mercury vapour rectifiers 866A though for home safety I currently use gas 1626 ones.

The full DHT ones starts about 20k I suppose, would love it but maybe in the next life. I'll take pics later when at home.

[hornucopia]

Yes, I share your angst! And 4 watts MIGHT run my Ocellias.....! But I (kind of) swore off valves a few years back, i think. trust Gordan to dangle these!
we could have shared them?
Come on Jake ... Just keep repeating it ...

'4 watts won't drive LVs ... 4 watts won't drive LVs ...' Etc

[anubisgrau]

These are arriving to South London. Take care to be good to the new owner so you can do a bake off!

[anubisgrau]

Gordan
Which version of the Thomas Mayer amp did you go for, he has shown 3 different ones on his site recently, 10Y-300B, 300B-300B and 6SN7-300B
Thx Simon
Here:

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/18/635023dcf0fe4f1653a402606b36f1f4.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/18/1941a70eea7659f5049c8119bd11a2e7.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/18/68970f90b4f86abff557a4897be8d623.jpg

[anubisgrau]

i've put these on for the last time before they depart tomorrow to the new owner.

well, this was supposed to be a technical check if everything is in order.

it turned out to a very emotional experience for me.

they really perform wonderful and in no way they are inferior to almost 10x more expensive (RRPs compared) thomas mayer 300b amp that stays. actually there are areas where they are even better due to direct coupling and less components on a signal path. a clarity of the midrange is the best i know.

truly wonderful amps and given they worked almost 6 years with no hickup for me, very often like 12-15 hours a day, i can really recommend tatic audio for a bespoke SET design, especially with thoriated thungsten tubes. there's something truly magical about their sound.

i think i will come back to them one day. i may plunge for tango OPTs for this operation, there's a pair for sale on that site.

the way they perform now is like they don't want to leave me. truly sad evening.

[lordmortlock]

I know that feeling Gordan. Not nice at all. If it's any consolation I find everything sounds best when I've sold it and I'm about to send it on!

[anubisgrau]

well, life goes on. couriers come in two hours. almost like a funeral.

[sjs]

I think most of us have been there and can empathise fully. Your new Mayer amps look quite something best of luck with them.

[anubisgrau]

Thanks. Well, I did quite a rolling of my gear but never with so many emotions. Luckily they are on the way to the UK. And actually I've contacted Tatic Audio and started talks about the future build because I have some ideas plus I spotted a new 801A OPT on the market. Lundahl have a 16k trafo for about 150e a piece which sounds more reasonable than I expected.

Of course, Thomas Mayer amp is a masterpiece and my only objection is actually the reason why I bought it: a 300b tube. After 5-6 years with an amp based on a tube with a good and affordable supply of NOS pieces, the whole marketing game with 300b really freaks me out. Now I've found out that after Psvane, Shuguang also issued a $1000 per pair tube. An utter BS! I even think that Elrog is pushing it a bit too far with the pricing but this is really really silly.

[User211]

Here we go I have just found you a (probably) 1950s pair of 300Bs. £5022.:D

http://yahoo.aleado.com/lot?auctionID=s381103006

I have some Psvane Hi-Fi Series 300Bs on loan from a friend. In my DAC there's no way it is better than Tung Sol 6A3, Sylvania VT-52 and even Psvane's own 2A3-T which sounds substantially better.

I don't think it is really down to 300Bs being particularly better or worse than any other triode. I do think that some 300Bs will sound a lot better than the Hi-Fi series Psvane, but there is a price problem finding out as you say.

I think this tool is excellent (http://www.hifishark.com/)for finding out what the world's auction sites have to offer. The Yahoo auction translations make you feel so unsure of actually buying, though. It seems that due to the hype around this valve, world stocks of NOS examples are basically getting close to zero.

Don't miss the price conversion to GBP and price sorting facility.

[hornucopia]

Gordan goes SIT shock?
we wait.......

[paskinn]

My Elrog 211s blew up after 30 hours use. I would urge caution with Elrog...I wasn't the only buyer to suffer problems. Maybe they are better now....but I wouldn't buy Elrog again. Not at those prices.

NB: I originally wrote ''300B'' in a fit of absent mindedness. It was the 211 that failed, and they replaced them quickly enough. Still a touch cautious about Elrog. Time will tell....

[anubisgrau]

Could you claim a refund or a new pair?

[sjs]

I heard there were problems early on. I have had a pair since December and they are fine to date






Kiss of death! ☺

[sjs]

Tbh the Elrog 300b isn't really a true 300b IMHO, tungsten filament and higher anode impedance means it does differ somewhat from the we 300b.
To a large degree the 300b seems to have gained such a cult because it gives enough power output to not require huge high sensitivity speakers, but also doesn't need scary ht supplies like the 211 or 845, so easy enough for most designers most of the time to suit most speakers.
Personally I prefer the sound of 2a3 and 45 or 211 but they are not as universally applicable re speakers, or as easy to build an amp if you are as nervous as you aught to be about 1000v ht lines.
I have a pile of vt62 and really should build the vt62-211 amp I have been planning for seemingly years.......

[paskinn]

I prefer the good old 2a3, but you do halve the power. I don't know why, but the lower the output of a triode, the nicer it tends to sound.

[denp]

Tatic Audio 3.6W monoblocks are now driving 101dB Zu Definitions with aplomb! Never heard such clean midrange & high-end; and the tightness of that low-end…

Also had thumbs up on the amps from another Zu owner who joined me earlier today to check out the exotic amp solution.

Many thanks to Gordan for arranging transportation, providing comprehensive instructions, addressing numerous queries & keeping me updated at all times!

[lordmortlock]

Tatic Audio 3.6W monoblocks are now driving 101dB Zu Definitions with aplomb! Never heard such clean midrange & high-end; and the tightness of that low-end…

Also had thumps up on the amps from another Zu owner who joined me earlier today to check out the exotic amp solution.

Many thanks to Gordan for arranging transportation, providing comprehensive instructions, addressing numerous queries & keeping me updated at all times!

+1 for Gordan. Completely, 100% trustworthy, nice guy too

[anubisgrau]

i only noticed this now, thanks both of you, always trying my best though delivery from belgrade to europe can be difficult unless you want to pay premium for DHL and similar robbers.

[anubisgrau]

Gordan goes SIT shock?
we wait.......

hey, you prophet - 3 years ahead!

[montesquieu]

Gorgeous. Makes me wish I did the high-eff thing.

[Lawrence001]

I prefer the good old 2a3, but you do halve the power. I don't know why, but the lower the output of a triode, the nicer it tends to sound.Cheap tweak - just turn the volume down by half :lol:

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[AJSki2fly]

For sale is my cherished pair of bespoken 801A/10Y single ended monoblocks built by Tatic Audio to use with hi efficient horns. After 5 years of use I switched to Thomas Mayer 300b amp so these have to go.

They have around 3.6w per channel in A2 Class, accept both 801A and 10Y family of tubes (801A, 10Y, 10, UX-210, VT-25, VT-62)


Pics are following in the next posts.

They look and sound extremely nice and a very good price.

It is quite surprising what 4 watts of true power can do with an efficient speaker. My friend has 300B single ended amp that is about 6 watts per channel driving Impulse H2 89dB sensitive horns and he rarely has the amp up more than 1/3. I run my 300B push/pulls (about 24 watt) with a passive amp, so already a low feed, driving Impulse h2's again and I never have them up more than halfway.

[anubisgrau]

I prefer the good old 2a3, but you do halve the power. I don't know why, but the lower the output of a triode, the nicer it tends to sound.

i think people don't compare what should be compared. i keep on hearing 2A3 is a nicer valve than 300B. yes of course when you can still find vintage 2A3 for much less money than vintage 300B.

for the valid and relevant comparison you need an amp that can accept both 2A3 and 300B, with some adjustments yes but that's the first condition. second is you compare the same level of quality, like NOS 1940's tubes for example WE300B (this one could cost anything up to 10k) and for example RCA 2A3, a few hundreds.

let's start from there, instead of dropping chinese or russian 300b from today vs RCA 2A3 from 1942 (apparently the best vintage), and concluding 2A3 makes better sound.

apologies for rant and hyperventilation but i had to do it....cheers ;)

[anubisgrau]

Gorgeous. Makes me wish I did the high-eff thing.

ah, grass is always greener....

seriously if you only knew how many times at my tannoy friends i wondered myself what the hell i'm wasting time money and nerves with horns ....;)

and i do have a pair of k3838 drivers (i think i rate them a bit higher than internet crusaders) in my storage, waiting for my audio retirement.

i'm probably a biggest tannoy lover who doesn't have a pair running in room. and i certainly believe tannoys are the cheapest and most reasonable way to reaching final sonic frontiers. a normal human doesn't have to seek for better...