henry4841 Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 There was a reference by another member on the 45 tube who I do not wish to respond to. Everyone should make their own decision on what to believe. I love my SE 45 tube amplifier as I am sure that others on this forum that do too. I built my 45 tube amplifier after reading what George Anderson of Tubelab.com had to say about the 45 tube in his design. George is a well respected tube designer on a technical forum. Below is what he has to say about the 45 tube in his amplifier design. I am well aware there are those that disagree as there is on any subject and I respect their opinion especially in that audio is such a subjective subject. I just though I would post my reason for building a 45 tube amplifier and for those like me that have and love their amplifier. I am not saying it is my favorite tube amplifier but I do love the sound and wide soundstage it presents. I do not wish to argue with those that disagree but just remember there is no perfect amplifier for everyone. http://tubelab.com/designs/tubelab-se/applications/ https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubelab/ "The 45 is the cleanest sounding tube that I have tried. These definitely don't all sound the same. There are different sound characteristics between two tubes of identical construction and brand. I am sure these differences are also quite dependent upon personal preference and the type of music being played. My favorite pair of 45's are "Westinghouse Radio tubes" that were made in Canada. These have a "close your eyes and you are there" realism that the others can't match. I have a pair of Tung Sol's that come close. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 Never heard any amps using the 45, but would love to some day. My 2A3 amps put me in the "you are there" place. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 I have never heard a 2A3 but I have considered building one. I believe it was the same George Anderson of Tubelab that said the 2A3 is sound wise two 45 tubes in one envelope. Again no experience with 2A3 but I have heard many good things about the SE 2A3 amplifier. Maybe one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 I built a two stage amp interstage coupling that can take 45 or 2a3. I favor the 45 but 2a3 is no slouch. Awesome triodes. I want to build on the same topology but for 50/300b. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Lammers Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 I drive H4's with an Inspire 45/2A3 amp from Dennis Had. The 45 uses an 80 rectifier and the 2A3 a 5Z3 rectifier. It has a volume pot but I use an Inspire LP27a preamp with 56 tubes. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 7 hours ago, seti said: I built a two stage amp interstage coupling that can take 45 or 2a3. I favor the 45 but 2a3 is no slouch. Awesome triodes. I want to build on the same topology but for 50/300b. Really nice professional looking build. I have always wanted to hear an amplifier using an interstage transformer instead of capacitor coupling but those things are expensive. As you may have guessed I am a cheap diy'er. A build to be very proud of! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 7 hours ago, henry4841 said: Really nice professional looking build. I have always wanted to hear an amplifier using an interstage transformer instead of capacitor coupling but those things are expensive. As you may have guessed I am a cheap diy'er. A build to be very proud of! After you build something all you see are the mistakes but thanks for the kind words. My friends at EMIA helped me with schematic and parts. There really isn't much there. Nothing wrong with building on the cheap which is why I started building as I could never afford what I wanted to hear. Good luck and keep building. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 I have had a 300B amp and a 2A3 amp and both were really nice sounding amps, when I got my 45 amp everything changed the amp journey was over and still is. My Korneff 45 amp sounds better than any other amp I have ever heard in my system and that's why it stays!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted September 7, 2020 Author Share Posted September 7, 2020 Sweat vocals and wide soundstage I bet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 22 hours ago, henry4841 said: Sweat vocals and wide soundstage I bet. Absolutely!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Lammers Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 6:57 AM, jcmusic said: I have had a 300B amp and a 2A3 amp and both were really nice sounding amps, when I got my 45 amp everything changed the amp journey was over and still is. My Korneff 45 amp sounds better than any other amp I have ever heard in my system and that's why it stays!!! Yes, the 45 will ruin you. 🙂 🙃 😎 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMRR Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 I have some RCA broadcast push-pull-parallel 45 amps I hope to get across the restoration finish line before much longer. They claimed "25W peak without objectionable distortion", seems wishful thinking! Particularly with modern full range speakers. At least the La Scala will barely need a thing from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Lammers Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 On 9/11/2020 at 8:49 PM, EMRR said: I have some RCA broadcast push-pull-parallel 45 amps I hope to get across the restoration finish line before much longer. They claimed "25W peak without objectionable distortion", seems wishful thinking! Particularly with modern full range speakers. At least the La Scala will barely need a thing from them. Those RCA amps are rare birds. Below is a parallel singled ended 45 amp with gas regulators. No, it's not mine. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmobley Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 When I had my Khorns, I went from solid state(ugh), to Welborne Laurel 300b's, to Welborne Moondog 2A3's, then to Welborne StarChief 45's with Emission Lab tubes, and I was done. The purity of sound was sublime. I had my stereo club over and everyone was amazed that I was using less that 1 watt. Midrange vocals, especially female vocals are to die for. Truly holographic. I still have the Laurels and the StarChiefs but am using KT120's to push my Tekton Double Impacts. I can't bring myself to get rid of these amps, especially the 45's. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmobley Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 I have the solid plate 45’s. They actually came on a pair of custom 45 monoblocks I bought before I found the StarChiefs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 On 9/3/2020 at 8:06 AM, henry4841 said: I love my SE 45 tube amplifier as I am sure that others on this forum that do too. I built my 45 tube amplifier after reading what George Anderson of Tubelab.com had to say about the 45 tube in his design. George is a well respected tube designer on a technical forum. I have listened to a 45 tube amp and next to a 2A3 , it is quite good , if not equal , that should say something - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 On 9/23/2020 at 12:18 AM, Jeffrey D. Medwin said: I totally understand what you are saying, and fully believe you. All my amplifier 45 experience and comments are referring to the vintage ST Type 45s, NOS or used tested-strong. I don't like them in an optimized amplifier. Re: your use of Emission Labs Tubes : The EML 45 version is a horse of a different color. An " EML 45 " is EML's own re-make, at a premium charge - and it is not like a usual vintage ST45 !!! How much in cost, per tube today $250? $350 ? $400 ? $500 ? Does anyone know????? Last time I checked they were $600 for s pair of the solid plates... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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