300B / 845 SET amplifier

[AJSki2fly]

As my love for valves and Class-A continues, I find myself drawn to trying an SET power amp, or ideally monoblocks. I would never get rid of my current buffer and amp of course, but it's nice to chop components around for fun. My speakers are very sensitive so low power is not a problem.

I read great things about the 300B and 845 based power amplifiers, so tell me about your experiences.

I previously had a pair of Renaissance RA01 300Bs, an interesting design based on SET design but as I understand it with an element of Push/Pull, they produced about 18w and were extremely good, very natural sounding, with a purity of voice(if you get my meaning). RA01s are highly respected amps and cost new around £8.5K, and are very well engineered, I understand they can still be built to order. I changed them for an Allnic T1500 mkII 300B SETabout 2 years ago, mainly to go to fewer boxes, as it is a stereo integrated, but I suspect that really there is minimal in terms of pre-amp. I would say the difference between them is minimal and hardly worth mentioning. The RA01's maybe had more bottom end but that is being very critical, the Allnic has a lovely presentation, maybe very slightly sweeter in the top end but again very subjective. I do know of an available VG pair of RA01s if you fancy a try.

By the way I love the Allnic T1500, truly a hidden gem of an amp, its not cheap as 300Bs go but it will easily stand up next to some gear costing 3 or 4 times the price, it has great bottom end control and grunt, a friend of mine drives a pair of Tannoy Kensington GR's with one and it sings as do my WB Vector's. Allnic's T2000 is supposed to be awesome and their AllNIC M2500 PX25 20w / 300B 30w / KT150 100w, MONO AMPLIFIER(3 configurations available) are reported as the last amps you are likely to ever buy (I would have a big problem justifying these to her indoors).

[Filterlab]

Thanks chaps for all the input. I'm teetering on a pair of Allnic A5000 Neo monoblocks - but requires a budget rise. I also like what I read about the various Audion 300b incarnations. Choices choices!

[Pigmy Pony]

Thanks chaps for all the input. I'm teetering on a pair of Allnic A5000 Neo monoblocks - but requires a budget rise. I also like what I read about the various Audion 300b incarnations. Choices choices!

Well I do like my Audion Silver Night 300b, but before deciding either way, have a word with Alan Firebottle as he has been inside mine (ooh-err) and can probably tell you more about their construction. Audion do a higher spec 300b, called a "Golden Night" I think. Don't know anything about it.

[AJSki2fly]

Thanks chaps for all the input. I'm teetering on a pair of Allnic A5000 Neo monoblocks - but requires a budget rise. I also like what I read about the various Audion 300b incarnations. Choices choices!

I think you will find them a sonic game changer, if only I could afford a pair

[Pigmy Pony]

Allnic gear will be in another league entirely, but quality like that don't come cheap

[Filterlab]

No, the pair I've seen are nigh on seven grand, quality gear though.

I saw the Audion Golden Night - very nice, in the same league as the Allnic A5000 Neo I'd imagine.

[Marco]

Why did you not post this originally in Blank Canvas, daftee?

It's only discussions about valves themselves that go into The Artist's Palette. If it involves an amp, and it's currently available, then BC is its home. If it's vintage gear, then it goes into Past Masters.

Shimples, innit?

Marco.

[Filterlab]

Cos it's got valves, so it goes in the valves discussion.

Shimples times Infinity (no come backs).

[Marco]

Lolz... Ok, just this time then dahling, since yoor sho shexy

Marco.

[Filterlab]

Mwah!

Happy where it is.