View Full Version : 300B reccy's?
Getting the 300B itch and wondering what folks have used and liked?
Currently using the Electro Harmonix Gold Grids, but thinking to upgrade.
The 300B "magic" is there, but more to come Im sure with a better tube, which from reading around is quite do-able.
The amps a good'un (Transformers, power supply etc) so should give me the benefit of a better valve.
Not looking at WE's at silly money, thinking something more real world but a step up from the EH Golds.
Looked at Black Treasures, KR's, EAT's or a more expensive curveball... the Elrogs.
Any thoughts or comments?
Thanks. :)
I know someone with a pair of 300A's.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3x-Western-Electric-300A-Engraved-Tube-Disc-Getter-9/301390556172?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D35721%26meid%3D789a99564a024aaaa8b3df63089c 1a81%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D110 992150717
But more sensibly, the psvane 300b's are good.
As you were talking about them at the time, I intentionally built that amp to be kind on the 300b's, so you may want to consider mesh plate's as well.
Heh.
I'd go for those Nick in a heartbeat, but I only need 2 ;)
Good to know about the mesh plates, opens up the options.
Soecifically,
would these play nice with the amp?
http://www.europeanaudioteam.com/en/eat-300b-valve-000010.html
https://www.tubedepot.com/products/kr-audio-300b-balloon
or the curveball,
perhaps not QUITE a 300B direct drop in replacement as it varys slightly from WE spec
http://www.audionote.com.au/Audio_Note_Australia/Elrog_-_Vacuum_Tubes_files/ER300B_Datasheet.pdf
more infor on the Elrog valve, wrt its deviating slightly from the WE 300B standard.
http://www.audionote.com.au/Audio_Note_Australia/Elrog_-_Vacuum_Tubes_files/ER300B_application_note.pdf
thanks.
I'm a bit out of date with the current crop of 300Bs. I have a number of pairs from around 14 years ago. The ones from my stash I really like are:
WE - sometimes I think I should sell these as they are still good and last a long time but I like them, they have that mid-range magic
JJ - more "etched" sounding than WE, detailed rather than magical but still good depending on the sound you want
TJ mesh - not so different in sound from the WE character, more subtle perhaps but more similar to WE than JJ
Out of these 3 I'd plump for the meshes as WE are crazy prices.
Heh.
I'd go for those Nick in a heartbeat, but I only need 2 ;)
Good to know about the mesh plates, opens up the options.
Soecifically,
would these play nice with the amp?
http://www.europeanaudioteam.com/en/eat-300b-valve-000010.html
https://www.tubedepot.com/products/kr-audio-300b-balloon
or the curveball,
perhaps not QUITE a 300B direct drop in replacement as it varys slightly from WE spec
http://www.audionote.com.au/Audio_Note_Australia/Elrog_-_Vacuum_Tubes_files/ER300B_Datasheet.pdf
more infor on the Elrog valve, wrt its deviating slightly from the WE 300B standard.
http://www.audionote.com.au/Audio_Note_Australia/Elrog_-_Vacuum_Tubes_files/ER300B_application_note.pdf
thanks.
Electrically, yes, they should all be fine.
Electrically, yes, they should all be fine.
Cool, thanks for looking Nick.
The last one is a bit of different design but "on paper" is a 300B replacement.
Difference is this (according to the blurb..)
The thoriated tungsten filament
--------------------------------------
The filament of the ER300B has been designed such that it is compatible to theoriginal 300B specification.
In order to be able to use thoriated tungsten, some parameters needed to bedeviated from the 300B specs. These are plate resistance and amplificationfactor. Plate resistance is slightly taller. While the 300B specifies 700 Ohms, theER300B plate resistance is 950 Ohms. The amplification factor has been reducedto 3.3 from the 3.8 of the 300B specification. Since transconductance is directlyrelated to these two parameters the ER300B has a transconductance of 3300micromhos.
This compromise was necessary to keep the original 5V @1.2A s
reccommend DC filament voltage over AC.
seem ok? No idea what it means!
Yo daftee,
Why has this thread been posted in Blank Canvas?
Can you see from the room descriptions where it should've gone instead......... If you get the answer right, you'll receive a 'special prize' next time I come up ;)
Marco.
Spectral Morn
23-02-2016, 17:35
I would say TJ Mesh plates too. I am not a big 300B fan, but the Mesh Plates I liked the sound off, back in the days I was in the retail trade and they were on Opera amps.
These guys are worth a ring as they often have valves in stock but not always on their site http://www.aa-acoustics.com/index.html at least that is how it used to be.
Did you move the thread, Daphne? ;)
Marco.
Cool, thanks for looking Nick.
The last one is a bit of different design but "on paper" is a 300B replacement.
Difference is this (according to the blurb..)
The thoriated tungsten filament
--------------------------------------
The filament of the ER300B has been designed such that it is compatible to theoriginal 300B specification.
In order to be able to use thoriated tungsten, some parameters needed to bedeviated from the 300B specs. These are plate resistance and amplificationfactor. Plate resistance is slightly taller. While the 300B specifies 700 Ohms, theER300B plate resistance is 950 Ohms. The amplification factor has been reducedto 3.3 from the 3.8 of the 300B specification. Since transconductance is directlyrelated to these two parameters the ER300B has a transconductance of 3300micromhos.
This compromise was necessary to keep the original 5V @1.2A s
reccommend DC filament voltage over AC.
seem ok? No idea what it means!
Looks fine, The transformers are 3k5 so should be fine with that ra.
Ali Tait
23-02-2016, 18:28
Like to hear a set of those Elrogs Gaz, look interesting.
Aye, sounds like they have tried to get away from making WE copies Ali and try something new.
Interesting!
Sorry mate, was in a rush!
Still recovering from the last time you were up.... :)
Yo daftee,
Why has this thread been posted in Blank Canvas?
Can you see from the room descriptions where it should've gone instead......... If you get the answer right, you'll receive a 'special prize' next time I come up ;)
Marco.
Spectral Morn
23-02-2016, 19:37
Did you move the thread, Daphne? ;)
Marco.
Nope. I thought Gaz had to respond, otherwise moving it to the correct spot would have given it away ;)
Sorry mate, was in a rush!
Still recovering from the last time you were up.... :)
Yeah, all that stretching defo takes its toll! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Nope. I thought Gaz had to respond, otherwise moving it to the correct spot would have given it away ;)
Someone moved it then, and it wiznae me!
Marco.
daytona600
23-02-2016, 19:48
WE if you won the lottery Gaz
Sane money use a pair of EATs myself in one amp
& Shugangs in another due to cost & numbers ( 16x300b monoblocks )
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue12/eurotubes.htm
Someone moved it then, and it wiznae me!
Marco.
twas me... I didnt know you wanted it in other location; I had not got to your post til after
Someone came round with some KR 300Bs the other weekend and I was seriously impressed with them in my DAC.
I don't say that lightly I have had a serious amount of triodes in it and the KRs are probably the best. Need more exposure to 100% sure, though I might score some of their PX4's.
Arkless Electronics
23-02-2016, 20:01
300B's in a DAC :eek:
300B's in a DAC :eek:
:eyebrows:;) yup :lol:
The EATs or the Elrogs seem to be top tier below the WE's Scott?
Theres the Takatsuki's but much more expensive and I've read the previous 2 could be argued to be better depending on if want the warm lush mids or something bit more "modern" sounding.
Is it the Black Treasures you have?
G.
WE if you won the lottery Gaz
Sane money use a pair of EATs myself in one amp
& Shugangs in another due to cost & numbers ( 16x300b monoblocks )
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue12/eurotubes.htm
Ali Tait
23-02-2016, 21:18
KR's are lovely looking and sounding too. Those balloon shape look the business.
Firebottle
23-02-2016, 21:22
300B's in a DAC :eek:
Lampizator. It's just a bit good :eek:
KR's are lovely looking and sounding too. Those balloon shape look the business.
t'was your good self that reccommended them Ali. :)
Balloons look the business dont they?
anubisgrau
23-02-2016, 21:48
if anyone has a spare (1) svetlana 300b, i need one. thanks!
if anyone has a spare (1) svetlana 300b, i need one. thanks!
They are a bit unreliable....I tried mine recently, one was making worrying noises. Are you sure you want one?
Spectral Morn
23-02-2016, 22:17
My understanding is KR valves are not always a drop in replacement as they can make different demands on the circuit. You would need to check this Gaz, to see if they are compatible. Re KR amps fab, heard a few and liked them.
daytona600
24-02-2016, 09:58
The EATs or the Elrogs seem to be top tier below the WE's Scott?
Theres the Takatsuki's but much more expensive and I've read the previous 2 could be argued to be better depending on if want the warm lush mids or something bit more "modern" sounding.
Is it the Black Treasures you have?
G.
std shugangs Gaz - need 2 pairs of matched octets , black treasure would be very expensive
Ali Tait
24-02-2016, 10:15
My understanding is KR valves are not always a drop in replacement as they can make different demands on the circuit. You would need to check this Gaz, to see if they are compatible. Re KR amps fab, heard a few and liked them.
No, the balloon shape version is a direct replacement. You are thinking of the XLS version-
http://www.kraudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44%3A300bxls&catid=4&Itemid=7&lang=en
I have a pair of 300's and have been in the lucky position of people bringing their 300 b amps round and trying them and comparing to what they have,
the closest to them i have heard are the Kr's but still nothing like the original old valves
One day i may well build an amp for them, but until then the old globe px25 and px4 are very similar in sound to the 300a, the speakers really need to be at level of efficiency and retrieval to match these types of valves which is a challenge, as any one who has followed my attempts at building them will confirm
Sorry, what 300Bs do you have?
the WE's?
I have a pair of 300's and have been in the lucky position of people bringing their 300 b amps round and trying them and comparing to what they have,
the closest to them i have heard are the Kr's but still nothing like the original old valves
One day i may well build an amp for them, but until then the old globe px25 and px4 are very similar in sound to the 300a, the speakers really need to be at level of efficiency and retrieval to match these types of valves which is a challenge, as any one who has followed my attempts at building them will confirm
Sorry, what 300Bs do you have?
the WE's?
Hi Gary they are Vintage stc's made in Paignton uk , they where a part of WE in the early days and made the same valve types as WE. I also took them to one of the audio talk meets, Quite a few heard them on one of Nicks amps there, i think most where impressed, i know I was...
Good stuff Steve, thanks for that.
Good to hear some 1st hand experience with the KR's, heard nothing but great things about them.
Ali Tait
25-02-2016, 21:02
Yeah, those 300a's of Steve's are one of the nicest sounds I've heard, just lovely.
anubisgrau
27-02-2016, 22:51
They are a bit unreliable....I tried mine recently, one was making worrying noises. Are you sure you want one?
i trashed one, another is working fine so i need the second one. i like how they sound - poor man's WE.
IslandPink
01-03-2016, 19:59
Yes can just add more praise about Steve's vintage STc 300a .
Also I've been using a pair of KR300B XLS's for over 7 years now, still have very good emission and sound excellent. Expensive but worth it - although to be fair I've recently proven they can be beaten by GK-71's in triode mode ( £12 each :) ) , but you've got to be prepared for the more expensive 5 to 7k output transformers and the 20V @ 3A filament supply !
Thanks Mark,
Good to know the KRs are well thought of, thats three reccy's for them now from the Owsten boys. :)
Nick likes the PsVanes, they are on the radar too.
Luxe an have just released this nice new retro 300b in Japan so they obviously think there is some mileage in this tube type:)
http://www.luxman.co.jp/asset/product/MQ-300/gb1.jpg
To round my thread off, I plumped for the Elrogs.
Very happy, have transformed Nick's SET amp, really hearing what it can do now.
Pics for those interested here:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?46254-Ooo-these-look-nice&p=792128#post792128
Luxe an have just released this nice new retro 300b in Japan so they obviously think there is some mileage in this tube type:)
http://www.luxman.co.jp/asset/product/MQ-300/gb1.jpg
There's a review in this month's HFN. £15K for 8 Watts:D
walpurgis
01-10-2016, 10:59
There's a review in this month's HFN. £15K for 8 Watts:D
Not seen the review, but being Luxman it should be good. Something for the horn brigade I guess.
Not seen the review, but being Luxman it should be good. Something for the horn brigade I guess.
They give it 80% whatever that means. Highly commended. Haven't actually read it yet but the conclusion states what you've just said - and other high sensitivity speakers.
topoxforddoc
03-10-2016, 18:10
How about the Emission Lab EML tubes? I have heard them in a TRON 300B Discovery. I use the EML 20B tube in my amp. They are very nicely made, Czech made and sound excellent.
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