Tizman Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 They have a two tube stereo amp coming out ... ss recification on a single pcb. My Welborne Labs 2a3s compared favorably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizman Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 7 hours ago, Tizman said: The Western Electric website refers to the 97A as a SET. Link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 $60k for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Top of the day to you OD and your 100 page congratulations will be in order today I think.👏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 @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/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODS123 Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizman Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Oops. I looked at the link, and it appears that SET refers to a two amplifier set. So I don’t know what the topology is on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khornukopia Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Good looking amps, inside and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODS123 Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 12 minutes ago, Khornukopia said: Good looking amps, inside and out. Mmmmmm METERS!!! Everybody knows meters sound better, right?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 === yep, tedious enough to have stretched this thread to 100 pages. Generally observing from afar but alas, have contributed enough to be part of the “100 page rabbit hole”. Oh the shame — Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khornukopia Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 (edited) On 2/8/2019 at 9:33 AM, muel said: Mmmmmm METERS!!! One pair of the 97-A Monoblock Amplifiers weigh 230 330 lbs. and will fit on a 36"x36" display platform. Those are BIG meters. Edited February 9, 2019 by Khornukopia typo on weight spec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 This has been one of the worst, best, funniest, with a dose of BS, but with a few gems here and there, as well as infuriating threads I've seen in a long time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Well... we made it to 100 pages... I'm done. Gonna listen to some music now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.