2. amps-preamps
  3. 1430180575

Don't know what's wong with me

I went on this rampage, bought 300B ,845, amps to get more of the 45 magic. Should have been looking more efficient speakers! Shame on me. Nothing like a 45 SET. I knew better but still tried to better it. My James Burgess 45 amp still rules. After I got my Audio Nirvana speakers did I realize the ways of error. I also even learned that a preamp can still help. You can still learn something after all these years. Please forgive me 45 SET people for I've seen the errors of my ways.
philefreak
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Don't feel bad or beat yourself up, Philefreak.

Most of us have to go through such a journey in order to realize what's the best option for us. I agree with you on the 45, but sort of settled on the 2A3, which comes relatively close in sonics, with more usable power.

Many claim the 211 and 845 are the pinnacle, SET amps with power to drive real world loudspeakers. Sorry, but they don't get close to the (listed as good, better, best) 300B, 2A3, and 45 sound, in my opinion.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
An 845 amp built to only push that tube to 50-60% of it's rating does in fact equal a 300B or 2a3 etc....

It always depends on the tube amp's design. Sounds comes from both the tube and the circuit design employed.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Grannyring,
Yes, the circuit is certainly a determining factor regarding the final sound. There are enough variables involved that make blanket statements about output tube character a bit tricky. Different amps which use the same output tube can sound very different from each other. Then consider the brand of output tube and their own characteristics. Hard wired or circuit board? Direct coupled,capacitor or interstage transformer? which brand? Choke filtered? AC or DC heated? Power supply caps, electrolytic,film or oil? Copper or silver wired? Who's the amplifier builder? Many variables play a role.
Charles,
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Even the power cord you have on the amp. So many factors. I loved those Triode Corp of Japan 845 mono amps at Expona.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Bill,
The first time I heard those Japanese 845 PSET amps driving the Crescendo I knew they were special. It was at CES a few years ago. I listened to them a good 45 minutes. The next day I revisited that room and stayed over an hour. Both times I was able to play music I brought with me. Just a very involving presentation of music. I've heard that pairing again at other shows, same positive result. I'll gladly keep my current system but I could be very happy with the Triode Corp and AZ Crescendo as well. There were many more expensive systems I've heard that weren't nearly as musically/emotionally satisfying.
Charles,
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