SET Shootout China VS The USA

Hi @mozartfan ,

You can’t compare amplifiers and make conclusions just by output tube type and transformer! There are so many factors like schematics and quality and quantity (capacitor value) of parts.

I have DIY 300B SET for many years.

During 15 years I made dozens of modifications to this amplifier.
1. I tried different types of 300Bs, 6F6s (driver), 6sn7s (input) .
2. I tested 5 different kinds of coupling capacitors.
3. I upgraded the power supply including choke, capacitor types, value, schematics.
4. I changed the bias current of all tubes.
5. I changed cathode resistors and capacitors.
6. I changed output transformers.
Each of these changes can make a dramatic influence on sound!
If you don’t try, you don’t have any idea how all these things are important.
For example, in my case, upgrading of cathode resistors and capacitors made more difference vs upgrading output transformers (from James Audio to Hashimoto)!
Bias current of the driver and input tubes made a huge difference!
Coupling capacitor quality is supercritical too!

I also think, using two fullrange drivers in parallel and tweeter (without properly designed filter) works against basic idea of fullrange (a point source of sound.) It makes sound congested and messy and destroys soundstage and focus.

Regards,

Alex

really hesitant to make a blanket statement such as yours in the quote above- in a nutshell, its blatantly false. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK grant it, I have not heard a KT type linear SET, nor a EL34 Triode. Perhaps they offer same , even superior sonics vs this 2A3. Quite possible true, But as you say, there are so few Ultra Linera KT88 and Triode EL34 avaliable. I had the Cayin EL34 Triode/Ultra, but sold it off, bessides the trans were a bit too small for my preferences. I am speaking of a PP KT series amplifier, such as the Jadis Defy7 one of the finest sounding PP amplifiers ever made. Can not match what i am hearing in the 2A3. In some passages, both very close, in other cds, the 2A3 is more evoloving, **REVEALING***

Each of these changes can make a dramatic influence on sound! ~~~~~~~~~~

 

I  know some audiophiles are not won over on swaping parts. = A cap is a cap is a cap...

I am a believer.

I prefer Takman Rey metal vs any and all carbon **smoothhhh* resistors. Caps, Mundorf SESGO or Silvergold EVO, whatever I can afford.

Tubes also make a gain, Teles in the pre, and have yet to roll these stock Psvane. My tech thinks there is not much to gain swaping out power tubes...we will see, that experiement waits til mid summer.

I also think, using two fullrange drivers in parallel and tweeter (without properly designed filter) works against basic idea of fullrange (a point source of sound.) It makes sound congested and messy and destroys soundstage and focus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is exactly the same argument raised by ~~THe Association of Full Range Speakers** aka THE Club of FR Enthusiasts,,over atn the DIY forum, Full range section,.,, **We tried this dual thingy,, did not work, wont work,,dont even consider attempting such a scheme..** WEll I broke THEIR rules and disobeyed THEIR authority,,,**I did it my wayyy** as old Frankie Sings They asked to see measurements, graphs, testing lab results etc. I had none. gave me the boot PERMANTLY banned. hahahaha Did not learn EVEN one thing from those **scientists** haha I like to break the rules, or lets say go against common opinions/beliefs. As I posted elsewhere,,this Dual thing will only work under with certain drivers. You nor anyone else in the world might say **and you actually like THAT sound???** Yep , dont touch my Dual system, I love it. 2nd tweeter arriving next wek, Dual FR + Dual T's. If all the big guns can get away with multiple driver systems,, I figure why not I.

@mozartfan It would be really cool if you could attend an audio show or maybe there is a great dealer near you. You really owe it to yourself to hear the differences between all of the topographies so that you can find out where you really are.

 

I remember vividly many, many moons ago when a very helpful dealer played a series of amplifiers for me, several tube and several solid state, in descending order of price. He played them through a very popular speaker at the time. My conclusion then: I couldn't hear much (if any) difference. He agreed. That made me feel great.

 

Then, he repeated the same exercise with a pair of exceptional speakers...everything else the same. Same descending order of price, etc, etc. The sonic differences between the amps was striking, astonishing actually. The dealer knew what he was doing. He was a WWII era radio operator, had started a radio repair shop post WWII and evolved it into a fine hifi shop which made it into a third generation. His moral to the story was to pick the speaker you like and then if you can't tell the differences between the amplifiers, relax and buy the least expensive amplifier whose sound met your goals.  His BIG advice though was just because you can't hear the difference doesn't mean there isn't a difference, it just means your speakers aren't up to the task.  He added that if I ever intended to upgrade the speakers then always buy the best electronics that you can afford at the time to ensure the speaker upgrade down the road would have the chance to pay dividends.

 

No offense intended @mozartfan but if you can't hear the differences of all of the vast array of amplification varietals that you have implied you have experienced first hand, then it isn't the amplifiers, its more than likely your speakers aren't up to the task of revealing the differences. You should be celebrating though! If you like your speakers and all of the amps sound similar to your ears and you are happy with the sound then pat yourself on the back!!! You found happiness and can achieve it for an exceptional value. @atmasphere is an amazing resource, he is an absolute expert when he is talking about amplifier design (not just OTL's but generally all topologies). He would be the first to tell you if you are happy with the sound, then stop. He would also tell you that amplifiers sound different and if you don't hear the differences then its probably the transducers.  

 

I recognize, however, that you may be more likely than not going to argue with me and say that it can't possibly be your speakers...in that case, enjoy the solo wrestling match. Warm regards and happy holidays.