World Audio Designs 300b monoblocks

[lordmortlock]

A pair of superb monoblocks for sale, as I find myself using an integrated amp more and more from a convenience/front room/family friendly POV.

Original sale thread below, push pull design, 26 watts into 6ohms. David/Juancho is a very well regarded electrical engineer and is well known on many of the forums. His original ad describes them pretty well but there are a couple of marks on the side which aren't visible in use. They sound fantastic and are fitted with the valves as per Davids ad, rather then the tjs pictured.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m192/lordmortlock/78424EF4-52C8-4CA2-AC52-501945D5E351_zpswphrje90.jpg (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/lordmortlock/media/78424EF4-52C8-4CA2-AC52-501945D5E351_zpswphrje90.jpg.html)

http://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/11...omment-2059386

I paid the listed £1200 but conscious the market is a little sticky right now, so offering them at a bargain £950

They're too heavy to send, so you're welcome to come, audition and collect or I'll drive to meet within a sensible distance.

[macvisual]

Jake, do you know if these are a push-pull design ?

Regards;
Peter

[Ali Tait]

They are parallel single ended.

[lordmortlock]

Hey Peter, hope you're well. Sorry, it doesn't look like the link to the original ad is working, so here's the text from David.

I originally built these WAD Monoblocs as my own amplifiers. Later I sold them to my friend as I made a 300b stereo amplifier but I've always had a soft spot for their sound. It's somewhere between a 300b SE amp and a push pull. In fact the original circuit was used for the WAD 300b SE mono blocks and changed for this push pull version.

The amps feature:
* Silver wiring throughout all signal paths

* Silver solder throughout

* A power supply using Solen polypropylene capacitors, bypassed with Audio Note tin foil and silver mica capacitors, with JJ power supply capacitors as the main psu smoothing capacitors

* Mills non inductive wirewound cathode resistors

* Cardas Golden Ratio coupling capacitors


The are for sale with a complement of valves included. These are: EH Gold Grid premium 300bs, Sylvania 5687 driver valves, Sylvania 6AU6 input valves and Electro Harmonix GU4GB valve rectifiers.

Each amplifier is a monobloc valve amplifier which uses 2 x 300Bs as the output valves and has valve rectification with chokes. Power output is 26 watts into 6 ohms and frequency response 12hz-26khz, with hum at 0.5mv and distortion less than 0.1%. Sensitivity is 300mv. The chassis are in black with aluminium faceplates and chrome transformer caps.The amps have a few slight scratches on one of the transformer covers but are otherwise in excellent condition.

The amplifiers are very quiet and do not audibly hum through my loudspeakers. The feedbackless design gives an unbelievable sound quality that has to be heard to be believed. Drums and other transients have a realism that you simply do not get with designs using feedback. There is plenty of power and drive for a really dynamic performance whatever style of music is your preference. Overall, the amp provides extreme transparency with an incredible musicality and sweetness. They bring boogie factor or musicality to any music and excel at pace, rhythm and timing. Vocals and classical music sound sublime and the soundstage is huge, stretching sideways and forwards and backwards more than virtually any other amps.

The amps sound at their best with a vinyl source but also because of the feedbackless design and sheer musicality, breathe life and character into digital sources. The amplifiers have been compared to some very expensive well known commercial valve amplifiers-including Audio Research, Ear, Audion and Audio Note’s finest-and have easily beaten them on sound quality. I have also compared the amps to AVI, Naim, and Nu Force solid state amplification worth many thousands of pounds and all who have heard them far prefer the sound of these valve monoblocs.
I used these amps with Elac FS207.2 speakers which are 84db sensitivity and there was loads of power and drive on tap to fill a reasonably large room. I have also used them very successfully with Epos ES30s and Audio Note Ks, and my Wilmslow Audio Prestige clones. There is only one caution and that is that they will not work well with current hungry loudspeakers, so a little care is needed when considering their partners. These amps are very heavy and weigh some 20 kg each. Collection or handover at a mutually convenient point is the seller's preference."

[lordmortlock]

They are parallel single ended.

Nope, push pull. 26 watts into 6 ohms

[walpurgis]

Hmm. Very tempted.....................but I've promised not to do anything naughty. :)

They look great, bet they sound sublime.

[lordmortlock]

Cheers Geoff. They so sound pretty special. PP bass control and solidity but with that 300b midrange magic.

[farflungstar]

I'm looking for a second set up and would love them - but no shipping grrrr.
Adey

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[macvisual]

Thanks Jake for that detailed reply..... Very much appreciated!

I'm using Audioplan Kontrast MkII floorstanding speakers which I believe are 88db efficient, I love my music with a wide soundstage along with it being dynamic with punch, a lot to ask for I know. I play my music loud at times alright...

I do listen to both vinyl/analogue along with digital streaming. My phono-stage is a Kinshaw Perception 2x box MM/MC switchable, and am using a Len Gregory Music Maker 3 moving iron cartridge. I'm hoping to borrow a friend's Promitheus Audio TVC passive Pre-amp within the next few weeks on long term loan etc...

Regards;
Peter
Central Scotland

[lordmortlock]

I'm looking for a second set up and would love them - but no shipping grrrr.
Adey

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Sorry Adey, I just know how I'd get them to you safely

[Ali Tait]

Ah ok, interesting, can't be too many pairs of these around. I have a set of the parallel SE ones. Good amps, with high quality transformers. Lot of amp for the money here folks.

[macvisual]

What do the 'PSE' letters stand for in relation to the WAD 300B Jake..? Are these PSE versions..?

[lordmortlock]

There is a Parallel single ended (PSE) version Peter but this is the Push Pull model.

[RichB]

Ah ok, interesting, can't be too many pairs of these around. I have a set of the parallel SE ones. Good amps, with high quality transformers. Lot of amp for the money here folks.

I still remember how good yours sounded on my Rega speakers Ali.

[Ali Tait]

Aye they did sound rather nice.

[lordmortlock]

Ah ok, interesting, can't be too many pairs of these around. I have a set of the parallel SE ones. Good amps, with high quality transformers. Lot of amp for the money here folks.

Thanks Ali. I paid a good deal more but market seems sticky, so thought I'd be sensible.

[petrat]

Oh crap :eek: ... must not buy any more amplifiers, must not buy any more amplifiers, must not ...

Anyway, for those who don't know, the guy who sold these to Jake, David Coe, offers assembly/repair/modification services for valve amps, and is thoroughly recommended. In particular, he is a renowned expert in the World Design amps, and as these were his personal amps, they will be pretty much the bees-knees. Jake is great to deal with too :thumbsup:

[farflungstar]

One of the disadvantages of living in the sun is missing out on things like this!!

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[Ali Tait]

Worth coming over for..

[petrat]

Worth coming over for..

Yes, we can introduce you to storm Barbara :D

[farflungstar]

Where are they located....?

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[topoxforddoc]

Where are they located....?

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Near Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK

I know Jake isn't keen to ship, but these wouldn't be too difficult to pack wit the valves removed and boxed separately.

[macvisual]

Long shot....!

Anyone travelling from Gloucestershire towards Central Scotland (Stirling/Glasgow/Edinburgh) in the next month or so could possibly taxi these WAD 300B mono-blocks would be greatly appreciated....

Best wishes;
Peter

[farflungstar]

If they could be shipped I'd grab them, but I understand the reticence.
Adey

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[macvisual]

Jake, I'd like to buy these at £950 please....

Regards;
Peter
Scotland

[lordmortlock]

Thanks Peter, pm sent

[macvisual]

Regarding the valves used on these WAD 300B mono-blocks, I'd be interested to hear from anyone about which valves to possibly change in the near future, I'm not well up on which make/models of valves make a bigger/better audible difference etc......so any help/advice in this area would be appreciated.

I enjoy my music with a wide soundstage along with dynamics and punch.

I've owned valve amps in the past but I'm not well up on what sounds better make wise, and which valves to change and which to leave alone etc...

Any advice appreciated.

[farflungstar]

Shuguang Treasure Series, wonderful for the money.
Adey

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[macvisual]

Thanks Adey for that info, is that for the 300B valves....?

[farflungstar]

Yes, although they make other valves like the 6sl7 which is also extremely good, the 300b black bottle is a truly great tube, but that's to my ears and in my system. Others might disagree.
Adey

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[macvisual]

Thanks Adey, which valve amps do you run yourself ?

[petrat]

Not an expert, but I've tried 3 different 300b valves, incl. use in the original WAD 300b amp ... TJ mesh grids, JJs and Electro Harmonix ... and ime the latter would meet your requirements well. The TJs gave a spectacular spacious soundstage, but lacked drive. The JJs were a bit unrefined in comparison, but seemed a bit more forceful. The EH seemed to do most of the best bits of both the others. If I read things correctly, these are the valves that Jake is supplying :thumbsup:

Good buy btw!

[farflungstar]

I'm running the Cary 805c monos. 45kg each with Treasure 6SL7, Treasure 300b, and Psvane 845 T mk2. Different league to EH, RCA Red Base which I had before.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w483/farflungstar/IMG_20151229_130233_zps9queidv2.jpg

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[macvisual]

Lovely looking Cary amps there Adrain....! What watts do they produce ? Have you owned them long ?

[farflungstar]

Thanks, they're lovely in my eyes but some folks hate their styling! Had them a couple of years. Conservatively rated at 45rms. I like them because they have the magic of the 300b + the balls and drive of the single ended 845 tubes. Bit of a bugger here in august as they kick out a lot of heat and I really want to send them in for the latest Cary upgrade, but they're great amps.
Adey

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[Gazjam]

I originally had the Electro Harmonix Gold Grids with my 300B SET, which sounded great...a bit of an all rounder really and didn't put a foot wrong.
Wanted to make the most of my amp though, so decided to get the Elrog 300Bs which were a significant step up in sound quality (but unfortunately price too)
Believe the hype, not cheap but worth every penny.
Second more down to earth option I'd be looking at the KR's.

Amp puts out 8 Watts, but speakers are a perfect match efficiency wise and can rearrange your innards with volume at 9 o'clock.
Peter, Im in central Scotland too, if you ever fancy a listen welcome to pop across mate.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/Kit%20pics/Nick%20Amp/20160930_184822_zpsv82ulzpl.jpg

[farflungstar]

Valve porn lol

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[British high fidelity]

Wow beautiful, would love these and i know they must sound very very special, im jealous

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[petrat]

Lovely things!

Wasn't Elrog a character in Noggin the Nog?

[macvisual]

Gazjam;

wOw lovely looking valve amp that, who makes it..? Love the Michell Orbe/SME V TT porn in the background also. Thanks for the offer, I'm in Alloa myself if your ever passing and fancy a coffee/hi-fi listen also. Cheers....!

Which cartridge/phono-stage are you using with the 'V' tonearm ?

Regards;
Pete

[Gazjam]

Hi Peter :)

The amp is a custom build 300B SET power amp, by Nick Gorham (of Longdog Audio).
I went with it knowing that Nick's forgotten more than a lot of valve amp designers probably know!
One of those "Do it once and do it right" decisions, this along with my Densen Pre probably my "last" amp.

I'm using a Dynavector XX2 mk2 MC cart on the deck, and sounds pretty good.
Have a Firebottle Plus phonostage, its designer is a regular here on AOS, and like Nick, REALLY knows his onions!

Glad you liked the pics, enjoy a bit of hifi porn meself!
Feel fortunate to have the turntable I slavered over as a kid...worked hard to get it and thats a good feeling.

[farflungstar]

Nick from Longdog is a great guy and knows his stuff. Funnily enough I was thinking of asking him to do me a no holds barred power amp the other day, it's my birthday in March...
Adey

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[Gazjam]

Go for it. :thumbsup:

[lordmortlock]

Just a quick note to say that these are still available. Marvellous sound and a bargain at £950

[petrat]

Ha, where did they come from? Thought these had sold at Xmas. You're better than Paul Daniels, you are ....

[szczemirek]

PM

[lordmortlock]

Ha, where did they come from? Thought these had sold at Xmas. You're better than Paul Daniels, you are ....

Haha! I know, I know.

So ... Peter bought them but couldn't arrange collection. I then sold them on his behalf to David, a good bloke I know in Birmingham. I set them so he could hear them working, but there was what sounded like a valve issue, so a cancelled the sale, as the idea of passing on potentially faulty kit frankly terrifies me.

Turns out the issue was actually with my phono stage! It was one of the genelex ecc83. As you can imagine, I feel Like a right tit about this. Davids bought a lovely vitus in the meantime, so here they are.

A few pms, so I'll get back once I'm at work. Nick, The chap who bought the odeons is coming for a listen on sat when he collects the horns, so he's got first option.

[Fourlegsgood]

Jake kindly auditioned these for me when I went to collect the Odeon speakers today.

When I arranged to visit Jake I had mentally braced myself to hand over the cash and take the amps home with me together with the speakers.

Indeed I heard nothing today to change my mind. I WANTED these amplifiers, they sound great and performed faultlessly. Only a severe attack of being sensible stopped me from taking them away with me. I already have several more amplifiers than I need and these extra ones would perhaps be too much of an indulgence. (Yeah, yeah, I know I broke that rule by buying the Odeon speakers).

I can heartily recommend both Jake and these amplifiers, just don't lay it on too thick after you have bought them so that I realise what an idiot I was for not buying them.

[farflungstar]

I'm so jealous you got the horns! Stamp feet.

[philv]

Are these still available?
If so, i would like to take tnem, if it is possible to get tnem to the Scalford show (or possibly just along tne road to Grantham, as i don't drive.
Thank you,
Philip

[lordmortlock]

Lots of Pms on these today, thanks all. I'd have sold them ten times over if they were post-able, but it's just not possible, sorry.

I don't mind driving 45mins or so for a meet up but I can't deliver, as I just haven't got the spare time. I'd really like for a buyer to come and have a listen, have a cup of tea, make sure you're happy with them and take them away

[philv]

would leicester be too far?
Closest you could get to Grantham?
It's hard work getting tne other half to drive far!

[lordmortlock]

Leicester??? That's over two hours away!!!

[philv]

Ah...but a nice place to visit.

This may be the daftest idea I have ever had. Or not.
Can you box these so and meet at glocestee train ststion?
They don't have to be proectedas for courriers.
Just enough so that I can wrap some tape handles around them without crushing the valves etc.
Ulp..

[lordmortlock]

I'm afraid not Phil. They're too heavy.

[philv]

I'm thinking! I'm thinking! :-)
What are the aprox dimensions?
And 20kg each?

I could possibly arrive. With suitsble boxes.

[Old boy]

Lots of Pms on these today, thanks all. I'd have sold them ten times over if they were post-able, but it's just not possible, sorry.

I don't mind driving 45mins or so for a meet up but I can't deliver, as I just haven't got the spare time. I'd really like for a buyer to come and have a listen, have a cup of tea, make sure you're happy with them and take them away

I'd stick to your guns on shipping / delivery on these Jake. I've learned my lesson.
I sold a totally mint pair of these for peanuts a couple of years ago even drove to the midlands to deliver them FOC
a couple of weeks later the new owner contacted me saying a pair of the 300b were dead.
Now If I sell any valve stuff the buyer listens and collects from me no exceptions.

[lordmortlock]

Thanks Kev. Yep, agreed.

[Sherwood]

If Leicester is out I'm guessing Land's End is a non-starter!

:scratch:

[szczemirek]

I'd stick to your guns on shipping / delivery on these Jake. I've learned my lesson.
I sold a totally mint pair of these for peanuts a couple of years ago even drove to the midlands to deliver them FOC
a couple of weeks later the new owner contacted me saying a pair of the 300b were dead.
Now If I sell any valve stuff the buyer listens and collects from me no exceptions.

You not alone with that problem [emoji30]


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[szczemirek]

So jealous about this fabulous tubes! [emoji256]


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[lordmortlock]

Then come and get them Mirek!

Why will no one drive to audition/buy these lovely amps? I thought you were committed to the cause ;)

[Bigman80]

Then come and get them Mirek!

Why will no one drive to audition/buy these lovely amps? I thought you were committed to the cause ;)
If I had the money I'd be driving to yours for these beauties. That's for sure.

You'll probably still have them by the time I've saved up enough 😂

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[lordmortlock]

Haha! It does feel like that!

[Bigman80]

Don't worry mate, now I'm looking at it someone will buy it. Always feels like that anyway 😂

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[lordmortlock]

Thanks for all The interest, these amps are now sold

[AD Audio]

Bit of a postscript really, but I bumped into a colleague recently who reminded me that I modded these to produce 30 watts a channel at one point. I reversed the mod as I was using TJ Meshplates at the time and the dissipation was a little high for them. But for anyone using other brands such as EHs or JJs, this mod can liberate 30 watts a channel and more drive and dynamics from these amps.
David

[Bigman80]

Thanks for all The interest, these amps are now sold
Told ya. Lol

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