Jump to content

Thoughts on Scott 222b for Belles?


dkpack99

Recommended Posts

I am thinking about buying a Scott 222b to go with my Klipsch Belles. I’ve heard it’s a good match, but don’t know much about tube amps…

 

This will (obviously) be for two channel listening. I will mostly be streaming from Tidal/Roon, via a Oppo Sonica DAC.

 

I’m not sure if it matters, but it’s a pretty large room (32 feet x 28 x 8).

 

It’s a local seller, who seems to be very legit, says it was completed serviced a few years ago.
 

 

Any thoughts on this a,p, how it pairs with my Belles, and/or ideas on prices will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Dave P. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love Scott products on Heritage line.  But even that being said, since you are new to tubes, I would look for something newer that may not need as much servicing anytime soon.  Not sure what your budget is or if your hung up on EL84/6BQ5 tubes, but a lot of users like the Primaluna line of tube integrated amps.  If I had the funds, I would look at the EVO 200 as it allows home theater bypass. 

 

If your budget doesn't allow for from something like the Primaluna, I would reach out to Craig at NOSValves @NOS Valves or @John Warren at Northreadingengineering.com for insight on what to look at as far as possible issues that need to be addressed. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, The Dude said:

less chance of failure

I must note, that even though older, if serviced correctly, the older Scott units can be very reliable.  I just didn't care for the volume and power switch combined into one.  I had issues with mine as it appeared that the wafer on the volume control had some wear right at my main spl listening preference, therefor it was louder than I wanted to quitter than I wanted.  There may have been work arounds, but not something I was willing to do. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, dkpack99 said:

I am thinking about buying a Scott 222b to go with my Klipsch Belles. I’ve heard it’s a good match, but don’t know much about tube amps…

you're much better off searching for  a Scott 299   in any of the different  series   , these are dead quiet when recapped properly , and a great match with klipsch speakers ,  I cant say enough of these amps , and the clean sound they can produce .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, The Dude said:

Why is that?  The 222 series are very good sounding units and match wonderful with the Heritage line.

 I  favor the 299D over the 222B due to the deeper bass , and clearer HF and mostly the  higher power output of 34 wpc     , otherwise , yes ..both  amps are seamless with the Heritage line 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use my Scott 222b integrated amp to drive my JBL-4430 speakers, as well as a pair of Quad ESl-63 speakers.  Obviously, speakers which are quite different in their design and strengths/weaknesses.  While I have several other amps, I always seem to leave the Scott in the rotation for one of my systems.  I would suspect a 222b, in proper operating condition, would match very well with a pair of Belle’s.

2512E8F5-2021-4B77-9D6B-9A01E74B4FDB.jpeg

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I'm remembering correctly, the 222b had slightly smaller output transformers than the c & d models. The lore says the b had nicer mids and treble, but the c had better bass. Maybe.

Recently got a circuit simulator program working, first thing I did was draw up a 222c schematic and test. The preamp & tone control stage had quite a bit of bass roll-off. Found the input cap values was the limits there. Maybe I'll check out the 'b' circuit, see what it's doing there. 

 

Then again, the roll-off was quite below the bottom of a Belle or LaScala.

 

Update: 222b is -3dB @40Hz

222C is -3dB @25Hz. 

this is the frequency response of the preamp circuit, set by two capacitors on the input and a minor part played by another cap at the output. Change those cap values to .0033uF followed by .0022uF and you're flat to the low 20’s, -3dB @16 or so. 

 

222d used a slightly different circuit with fewer parts.

  • Like 2
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...