Adam,
I relate to your 300b vs el 34 amplifier and preferring the 300b.
I have an el 34 40 watt amplifier and a 100 watt PP amplifier (60 watt Triode mode). I am currently listening to a First Watt S.I.T.amplifier (40 watt push pull special D.I.Y. design of Nelson Pass ). Perhaps the best solid state amplifier I've heard (generous loan from an audiogon buddy 😊).
Yet in direct comparison the 300b SET is more natural in tone and timbre, more 3 dimensional, lively and just has that elusive "breath of life " quality that the excellent First Watt can't match. Bottom line, the First Watt is overall a sonically impressive amplifier, the SET conveys more emotion and soul.
Charles
I relate to your 300b vs el 34 amplifier and preferring the 300b.
I have an el 34 40 watt amplifier and a 100 watt PP amplifier (60 watt Triode mode). I am currently listening to a First Watt S.I.T.amplifier (40 watt push pull special D.I.Y. design of Nelson Pass ). Perhaps the best solid state amplifier I've heard (generous loan from an audiogon buddy 😊).
Yet in direct comparison the 300b SET is more natural in tone and timbre, more 3 dimensional, lively and just has that elusive "breath of life " quality that the excellent First Watt can't match. Bottom line, the First Watt is overall a sonically impressive amplifier, the SET conveys more emotion and soul.
Charles