DjOverdose Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Hi Again. I would like to ask your opinion on this. Currently I have a custom made Tube Pre amp and power amp. Power amp is a KT120 rated at roughly around 80WPC its powering my Klipsch RP 280F. I know its waaayyy to much for the speakers though they sound really good. however curiosity strikes again and was thinking if a 2A3 power Tube can power these Floorstanders. I know they are 98dB but is it enough for a 3-3.5W power amp? anyone tried this combo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 2a3 more betta... I to am considering a nice 2a3 out of canada... then I just saw a really nice 2 watt 45 amp for sale and I am wondering what the Sonics differences are between a low watt 2a3 and a 45? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Lammers Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Schu said: 2a3 more betta... I to am considering a nice 2a3 out of canada... then I just saw a really nice 2 watt 45 amp for sale and I am wondering what the Sonics differences are between a low watt 2a3 and a 45? The 45 is my favorite SET. I had a Jeff Korneff 45 spooky real and the ELM solid plate 45 is amazing. 2A3's have more power and are quite nice too. You should listen to both before deciding. Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio, is building 300B, 2A3 and 45 amps and selling them on epay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Lammers Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 1 hour ago, DjOverdose said: Hi Again. I would like to ask your opinion on this. Currently I have a custom made Tube Pre amp and power amp. Power amp is a KT120 rated at roughly around 80WPC its powering my Klipsch RP 280F. I know its waaayyy to much for the speakers though they sound really good. however curiosity strikes again and was thinking if a 2A3 power Tube can power these Floorstanders. I know they are 98dB but is it enough for a 3-3.5W power amp? anyone tried this combo? It might be enough power depending on the music you prefer. IMHO, flea power is best with 100db+ speakers. YMMV. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hello... thanks for all the replies.... i just gave the go signal to my local amp builder to build me a SET 2A3. i am hoping that the 2A3 can power my RP280F. its 98db sensitivity. i decided to keep my kt120 for versatility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 don't count on the published efficiency levels being accurate, you can expect them to be in the range of at least 2 - 3db hot and they are often measured at 1KHz.. Still a 2A3 can surprise most audiophiles, I am sure yours will also. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 i only have a small space for the speakers though. ive read somewhere that the reference are not that sensitive as advertised. since its a custom amp, i can have an option to switch from 2a3 to 300b with a togfle switch and from 2a3 to 45 by just adjusting the bias... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 suitability will depend upon the playback levels that you desire. A 300B will provide approximately three time the power of a 2A3 that should be lots for casual listening and more. I expect that you will be happy with the 2A3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 I've used my 2A3 amps to drive a pair of Heresy II speakers to satisfying levels in a 21x23 for room. Without change the gain settings, though, reconnectiong to my LaScalas will be way too loud. Clean... but too liud for my tastes. Are you having monoblocks built or a single chassis? Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggurat Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 I ran KHorns for several years using a custom 45 SET amp. It was sheer bliss - bettered only by a similar circuit running PX4 valves (best I've heard). I had people crying on the floor listening to their favorite music. As good as the system sounded, I had a larger PP amp for when I wanted to play loud. Even at +/- 105db, the Khorns came to life a bit more with the extra power. My own call would be to have both amps at hand. If after a time you are not listening to the big one at all, then sell it. Enjoy the world of SET. They are superb. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 On 5/28/2019 at 10:57 PM, moray james said: suitability will depend upon the playback levels that you desire. A 300B will provide approximately three time the power of a 2A3 that should be lots for casual listening and more. I expect that you will be happy with the 2A3. will update you guys once the amp is here. im very very excited... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 On 5/29/2019 at 2:16 AM, Marvel said: I've used my 2A3 amps to drive a pair of Heresy II speakers to satisfying levels in a 21x23 for room. Without change the gain settings, though, reconnectiong to my LaScalas will be way too loud. Clean... but too liud for my tastes. Are you having monoblocks built or a single chassis? Bruce ill be having it on a single chasis. another local builder told me that there is little difference from the mono blocks and single chasis. but cost wise theres alot. Heres the chasis of my 2a3 amp. itll be powered by a pair of jj2a3 40 rectified by 5u4gb tubes. i forgot the other tubes that will be put in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 On 5/29/2019 at 3:54 AM, Ziggurat said: I ran KHorns for several years using a custom 45 SET amp. It was sheer bliss - bettered only by a similar circuit running PX4 valves (best I've heard). I had people crying on the floor listening to their favorite music. As good as the system sounded, I had a larger PP amp for when I wanted to play loud. Even at +/- 105db, the Khorns came to life a bit more with the extra power. My own call would be to have both amps at hand. If after a time you are not listening to the big one at all, then sell it. Enjoy the world of SET. They are superb. yes. thats what my plans are right now... i might just keep the kt120s. I will just going to put an A/B swith for my speakers. I had my custom preamps have 2 outputs specifically for putting 2 different amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guf Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 I too use a low powered set. I use a 45 tube. I often wonder if i'm doing it wrong because I should need more power for my Heresy III. I listen at lower volumes compared to others averaging at 80-85. I have a passive pre so I'm not even getting gain and I'm not using the max volume. My room is 13 x19X10 with bass traps. Maybe because i mostly listen to rock and roll? I have a 300b amp just incase, I NEVER plug it in. But it's important to have. So i agree with the others, best to have a few different amps to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 16 hours ago, DjOverdose said: another local builder told me that there is little difference from the mono blocks and single chasis. but cost wise theres alot. Quite true. Perhaps a bit better with the two separate power supplies, but it certainly makes the cost go up. Do you know what output transformers he is using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 20 hours ago, Marvel said: Quite true. Perhaps a bit better with the two separate power supplies, but it certainly makes the cost go up. Do you know what output transformers he is using? he does make his own output transformers. back here in Manila Philippines there are two local tube amp builders, Rene Rivo of Music haven and Andrew Sevilla of AMX audio. both of them can make custom amps depending on your requirements or specification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 hours ago, DjOverdose said: he does make his own output transformers. Nice and chunky. Should net some good bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 3 hours ago, DjOverdose said: back here in Manila Philippines I was just checking my Welborne Labs Moondog 2A3 amps to see if the power tranny was able to be set for different parts of the world. Good news is I will be able to take them to the Philippines when I retire there in a couple more years. Bruce 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjOverdose Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 almost there... according to the builder, he is just finishing the wirings.... hipefully early next week... 2pcs jj 2A3 40w 2pcs 5u4g 2pcs 12at7 1pc 6n3c switchable 300b and 45 with hum and gain control. cant wait to hear it play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 He's expecting 40w out of a 2a3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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