Jump to content

Advice for Beginners - consider this test from an audio club


ODS123

Recommended Posts

7 minutes ago, Marvel said:

I'm supposed to do a tour of the new 300B plant and need to give them a call to schedule.

That sounds like fun.  It could be either topology, depending on the class of operation.  I did a bit of reading on the 97A.  It seems to have little resemblance to any of the old WE amps, and the 97A designation is a new one.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Western Electric website refers to the 97A as a SET.  This is likely to mean that it is 8 300Bs in parallel.  At a normal transformer ratio of 2500K Ohms to 8 Ohms for one 300B, 8 tubes would use a transformer ratio of 312.5 Ohms to 8 Ohms.  It is much, much easier to produce a very high quality output transformer of this low ratio.  My guess is that a big part of the circuit in this amp is dedicated to keeping all 8 tubes in balance for parallel operation.  An interesting approach.  The new WE 300Bs are going to cost around $1300 a pair, so a tube set for this amp would be $10400!   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Deang said:

$60k for that?

It will need those Audiogon Super High Definition Beeswax impregnated fuses too.   https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9bg7g-beeswax-audiophile-fuses-audio-magic-the-best-fuse-on-the-market-5-worldwide-tweaks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Marvel said:

@Deang   Yes... each monobock is over $61K. They do sell some, but I'm sure not very often. Hartly Peavey has a set.

 

https://westernelectric.com/

 

Well, they were "Created For those of taste and distinction"  Curiously, they do not offer a pre-amp, apart from a phone pre.  

 

I'd be worried that a company with such incredibly low volume and small target audience is apt to fold and leave owners without a service network or available replacement parts.  In which case you have a very attractive boat anchor or expensive ammo for your trebuchet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, ODS123 said:

Well, they were "Created For those of taste and distinction"  Curiously, they do not offer a pre-amp, apart from a phone pre.  

 

I'd be worried that a company with such incredibly low volume and small target audience is apt to fold and leave owners without a service network or available replacement parts.  In which case you have a very attractive boat anchor or expensive ammo for your trebuchet.

 

You really are tedious. Their phone number is listed, give them a call and ask...but then, I know you won't...you really don't get it. The 300B IS a Single Ended Triode. The topology could vary. I doubt you even think about the topology of your SS amps or receivers.

 

This will be rolling out soon, and I am sure it's a little more affordable.

 

Western Electric Officially Announces WE 91E Amplifier

Rossville, Georgia, USA | May 9, 2018

As part of our continued observance of the WE 300B vacuum tube’s 80th Anniversary, we’re announcing to the audio world a brand new amplifier, the WE 91E. The 91E is itself a celebration of the 300B, which is popular today for its many high-end audio applications. The single-ended, integrated amp will unleash the triode, pushing over 20 watts per channel while remaining well within safe operating areas. This never before seen level of performance is achieved by a bold and creative circuit topology which gives powerful, balanced playback with low noise and zero negative feedback. Within its elegant, yet simple enclosure design is a Class A2, constant current source (CCS), parallel feed circuit board, a toroidal power and output transformer, microprocessor controlled bias, and a moving coil, moving magnet phono stage.

The 91E not only celebrates the 300B, but the 91A, its famous predecessor. President Charles Whitener says, “I imagined this amp as a modern tribute to a great piece in Western Electric’s rich product lineage. Our lead engineer brought decades of experience to make something really special and unexpected. It’s a perfect marriage between old school and new school.”

91E-prototype.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, Marvel said:

 

You really are tedious. Their phone number is listed, give them a call and ask...but then, I know you won't...you really don't get it. The 300B IS a Single Ended Triode. The topology could vary. I doubt you even think about the topology of your SS amps or receivers.

 

 

What part of my statement are you replying to?  If I call them, what am I supposed to ask?  "Uh, hi.. Um.. what kind of assurance can you give me that your company will be around in 10 years should my $60k amplifier need repairs??"  And how is their topology relevant?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Khornukopia said:

 

One pair of the 97-A Monoblock Amplifiers weigh 230 lbs. and will fit on a 36"x36" display platform. Those are BIG meters.

 

Those meters might not move much normally with Klipsch but I bet I could make 'em jump.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Longevity... the new tubes are rated to last about 40,000 hrs. At three hours a day, that would get me close to 40 yrs. You can get Chinese versions for $150 and up... , but they may now last as long. So ou can go from $150-$700 a tube. My 2A3s run about $80... and I haven't had to replace them in 10 years. Everything wears out at somepoint. Have you used your SS gear for 20-40 years? Probably now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...