Shakeydeal Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 I started a thread in tubes last week about the impending arrival. Well it landed yesterday and it deserves a new thread. I was a little apprehensive about 8 watts. I've never owned anything so measly. Well I couldn't have been more wrong about that. This thing has balls for days along with the delicacy that the 300B is known for. I only got to listen for about an hour last night, but wow, very impressive. I'm sure much of this performance can be attributed to Aric's design and his overbuilt power supply. Glad to be in the DHT camp now. I will post more about how it compares to the PP EL84 amp I have been using after I've had more listening time. In the pic below, the PS is on the rack behind the amp, tethered with two umbilical cables. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Another convert to SET 300B. I never doubted enough power with our speakers. Five watts are plenty. The EL84 is a remarkable tube for it's size but it is not a 300B. Single ended is my choice of amplification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the real Duke Spinner Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 SET says it all. 😀 I need at least 200 wpc to get by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcn3 Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 On 9/28/2023 at 6:02 AM, Shakeydeal said: I started a thread in tubes last week about the impending arrival. Well it landed yesterday and it deserves a new thread. I was a little apprehensive about 8 watts. I've never owned anything so measly. Well I couldn't have been more wrong about that. This thing has balls for days along with the delicacy that the 300B is known for. I only got to listen for about an hour last night, but wow, very impressive. I'm sure much of this performance can be attributed to Aric's design and his overbuilt power supply. Glad to be in the DHT camp now. I will post more about how it compares to the PP EL84 amp I have been using after I've had more listening time. In the pic below, the PS is on the rack behind the amp, tethered with two umbilical cables. congratulations! beautiful amps! can't wait to hear more of your impressions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 1 hour ago, the real Duke Spinner said: SET says it all. 😀 I need at least 200 wpc to get by Not sure what your speakers are, but if 100 db or greater, you are foolin yourself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Nice amp ! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebum Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 I have the same amp with La Scala AL5's, absolutely end game for me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 @doodlebum I think I’ve seen you over in the audiogon forum, I am ozzy62 there. The amp really is great. Aric did some upgrades by adding Clarity PS caps, Takman signal resistors and the Lin Lai 300Bs. Sounds like you are enjoying it as much as I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 7 hours ago, doodlebum said: I have the same amp with La Scala AL5's, absolutely end game for me. Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebum Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Thanks henry. Yes Shakeydeal, I also have the super 6sn7 line stage. It's really opened up lately, a wonderful combo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 how bout posting videos of what these Aric Audio 300B amps sound like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananas and Blow Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Congrats! Great looking amp! One day I hope to try a 300B amp with my Fortes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share Posted October 3, 2023 Just a quick update. I did some serious listening over the weekend and I'm very happy with the amp. As good as my other Aric Audio EL84 PP amp is, and it is very good, this one takes everything to another level. Highs are silky and extended. Cymbals have a natural shimmer. The dynamics and bass depth and articulation are two things that surprised me most. Many mention that these are weak spots for low power SETs, but not the case here. These two areas have improved over any amp I've used with the Lascalas, and that includes a couple of 100 watt PP amps. Aric says it's the PS, transformers, and a couple of tricks he uses that Western Electric did. Of course the midrange is exactly what you expect from a good 300B amp. Lots of texture and detail in the human voice that makes it sound more "real". As mentioned by @doodlebum above, as long as I stay with horns, this amp is end game for me too. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Glad you are digging your new 300B. How fun! Listening to new gear is just another something in the hobby I like especially if the new gear connects you closer to the music. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmlowz Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Glad you are enjoying your new 300B Shakeydeal. I owned La Scala IIs for 13 years. Always enjoyed them. For me though, I quit saying endgame years ago.😀 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share Posted October 3, 2023 Quote For me though, I quit saying endgame years ago.😀 Understood. And I know that making such a remark is a slippery slope and I would never do so lightly. That's why I qualified it by saying "as long as I stay with horns". If I get the itch to change up speakers, all bets are off. But this is the most expensive amplifier I have ever purchased and to go beyond it's capabilities (with the appropriate speaker) would be beyond my financial prudence. So I guess it's a wait and see venture. But my wife would roll her eyes and say "suuuuure"..... if she heard me say "I'm done"...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebum Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 I'm guessing the term "endgame" in the audiophile world actually translates to around six months to maybe 4-5 years? We must give pause at least outwardly, to the insatiable desire to get to that next level by using this rationale. The wife says there's two holes in daddy's head where all the money goes. Shakey; I feel you on that mid rich dynamic range on the 300. I have the WE's in mine which really shine after 2-300 hours. I look forward to streaming jazz every night. I almost never watch TV anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share Posted October 3, 2023 After a little while when the amp is fully broken in I will try the WE tubes. Did you find them to be head and shoulders above others you have tried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebum Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 Actually, I thought the gold lion tubes were really nice and without reinserting them for comparative analysis it's difficult to say. $1500 is a substantial (for me) investment for two power tubes. I am very happy with the WE's but I don't think they are absolutely necessary. If one considers the 40,000 hour estimated lifespan, it's not that bad in the long run though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share Posted October 3, 2023 Aric swears the Linlai WE replicas are just as good. But I’ll have to find out for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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