2. amps-preamps
  3. 1150784623

What's best low cost 845?

Again same guy as the 2A3 question but thinking maybe more power.Interesting that Harvey Weisfeld gave his name out to cayin for their EL34 amp which also might be a contender but if I can get up to 20 watts a of SET why go push pull/Know more cost for tubes and so forth but for Cain and cain Abby's.Omega or another 95db plus speaker might want more "oomph" than 3 wats will deliver.Also if their are some $1K or less speakers thta deliver goods interested in all.Trying to not build anything so if it were Bottlehead or another DIY I'd look for built kit.Just want a low volume near feild set up that can give some dynamics.If I went with larger (Jolida 202/303 or such) might by pair of Audio Physic Sparks because even though I might not get the SET "magic" thing they are small and when I borrowed a pair for a m,onth was really impressed with dynamics at low volume levels which I was told Tempo did not have needing more volume.but that's getting out of size and price range plus the differene I'd like with Fi,Sun, etc just trying to get votes on best bang for reasonable buck for a bedroom system.Once had @K (used price Bel Canto's and unfortuntely coyuldn't get up the hill with speakers I had but it was a beaut!yet want to keep it tto half that price this time.Ideas in SET lanmd that really ofers big value for dollar/
Thanks
Chazzbo
Thanks
Chazzbo
chazzbo

Showing 2 responses by 213cobra

213cobra
885 posts
 
Tough to find 845 amplification for a kilobuck or less. Watch for used Dared. The 845 tube is very affordable in its Chinese variants, with the 845B/C/M all capable of quite good sound, but these circuits are high voltage, which does raise parts costs some, which in turn raises final costs relative to the inexpensive 300B and 2a3 SET alternatives.

On Audiogon right now, for instance, there are some unknowns among the known good buys:

1/ Audioromy 845 integrated, China sourced but used from US owner, asking $1000. No idea of it's sound quality.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1154738758

2/ Antique Sound Lab 845 monoblocks, $1800 used. Very nice amps when they are working.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1154299698

3/ Dared 845 integrated. Good amp, best buy here at $1300 used. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1155613718

4/ Kailin 845 monoblocks, auction starting at $1000.00. Can't comment on sound.
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?ampstube&1151977146

At considerably higher prices, right now there are fantastic sounding Bel Canto, Audion, Mastersound and DeHavilland alternatives. The Dared listed or another as they show up is probably most reliable alternative at or near your price.

Phil
213cobra
885 posts
 
An acquaintence bought a Dared 845 amp some time back, and brought it by to hear on my speakers. It sounded good. The 845 tube used to any reasonable level of competence gives you relatively muscular sound for SET -- more drive than, for example, a parallel single-ended 300B amp of the same power. Also, more bass discipline, less "magic" in the midrange, but also less high-frequency "spray" than a comparably-priced 300B. And the sound is quite tunable with the variety of 845 tubes available, the Chinese 845, 845B, 845C, 845M as well as the KR 845 and vintage American 845s all offering distinct flavors.

A Dared or Consonance 845 won't give you the refinment and transparency of a DeHavilland, Mastersound, Audion, Nagra or Verdier, but it will give you the fundamental favorable traits at a cost disproportionately less expensive than the difference in sound quality. So if you recognize the holistic presentation of SET amps, like some muscle with that sound, go for it.

Phil
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