Blvdre Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I've had a pair myself for a while, $850 used, still love 'em. They can definitely get loud when need be, and stay clean sounding. I've only run them with either 2nd or 1st order x-overs, though. My preference is 1st order, so I usually keep listening levels reasonable, but with higher slopes, I think these amps would keep up (within reason). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPower Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 Blvdre, Thanks for the heads-up, I just saw that ad myself. If I was not still leaning to the DRD 45 that Wright would be a no brainer at that price. I wish I could afford to by both and then just keep the one I prefered. Then I could play the shell game... nirvana would (hopefully) be under the F3 shell, the 3.5 shell or the DRD 45 shell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I'd like to hear the DRD 45 myself. I've yet to live with a 45 based amp, maybe down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I'd like to hear the DRD 45 myself. I've yet to live with a 45 based amp, maybe down the road. I Currently own both 2A3s and 45 Monoblocks. Both Welbornes - Moondogs and Starchiefs. The 45s are my Main listening amps. Nuff said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I'd like to hear the DRD 45 myself. I've yet to live with a 45 based amp, maybe down the road. I Currently own both 2A3s and 45 Monoblocks. Both Welbornes - Moondogs and Starchiefs. The 45s are my Main listening amps. Nuff said! Stop encouraging my 45 envy, I'm too poor for this nonsense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Stop encouraging my 45 envy, I'm too poor for this nonsense. Well, you're not missing much as the 2A3 amps are very, very good. The 45 adds that extra dimension of putting a female vocalist 'In your room' - An almost spooky sensation. Upgrading can be fun, and you have something to shoot for down the road. I still take out my 2A3 amps and enjoy the extra dynamics once in awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Well, you're not missing much as the 2A3 amps are very, very good. The 45 adds that extra dimension of putting a female vocalist 'In your room' - An almost spooky sensation. Upgrading can be fun, and you have something to shoot for down the road. I still take out my 2A3 amps and enjoy the extra dynamics once in awhile. Thanks for talking me down. In all seriousness, I am very happy with my 2a3's - it's been a while since I've felt the upgrade bug (at least in the preamp/amp dept.). I'm sure that will change once I've "finished" messing around with my speakers, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I've never heard 45 SET. Just 2A3 and 300B but owned 300B SET. It would be cool to compare 45 to 845 SET amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 845 amps are 'all over the board'. Most folks compare the 300B to the 845 - not the 45 tube. I have heard that 845 amps are fickle and the ones I have heard are much less refined than a 300B amp. I have heard some people describe a 300b as a Sharpe knife where an 845 is a Blunt Axe. The 45 and 2A3 are more similar. I have owned 45, 2A3, 300B and have listened to a couple 845s - None of the 845s I have heard made me want to rush out and buy one. A friend of mine that did some design work for Bel Canto, received their 845 amp for compensation. He has a 2A3 SET amp also. The Bel Canto is rarely turned on, while the 2A3 remains his main listening rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 i know the seller of the drd 45's he lives 5 minutes away from me he bought them on my reccomendation and is only selling because he bought my deja vu 45 amps, the amps are near pristine and imho a great deal at his asking price, i personally have run the gamut of set amps and have used them with several speakers if you like to *(as you say) get the led out. i beleive you will feel the bass is weak, for laid back low volume listening they will excell and give you dynamics, soundstaging, depth, clarity, air etc...etc... in spades, but they will be bass shy and not drive your speakers to LOUD levels without distortion. one thing to remember is if you buy and dont like what you hear you will almost definately recoup all your investment Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPower Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hey Joe, The seller, Rudolffzigray, did mention your name (joessportster) but I didn't connect the dots to realize that it was you he was referring to. I wish I did know, I would have solicited some advice earlier from you. Imagine that, a sport bike guy (I ride a ZX10R) getting schooled by a Harley guy. [] Anyways, last night I finalized the deal on the DRD45s and if everything goes as planned they should be arriving on Tuesday. I am really looking forward to hear the type of sound that both you and Cut-Throat are describing. My only apprehension is how well they will be able to play the heavier rock stuff. When I first got the Jolida 300B I was blown away what it's 8 or 9 watts did with the Korns, I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised by these guys. The First Watt F3 has 2x the power of the JD-300B and yes it is more powerful than the Jolida but it didn't seem to have as full a sound. I find myself playing the F3 loader than I did with the Jolida, were as the 300B seemed to fill the room better at lower levels. We will see what happens when they get plugged into the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 i beleive you will feel the bass is weak, for laid back low volume listening they will excell and give you dynamics, soundstaging, depth, clarity, air etc...etc... in spades, but they will be bass shy and not drive your speakers to LOUD levels without distortion. one thing to remember is if you buy and dont like what you hear you will almost definately recoup all your investment Joe Bass Shy is very subjective, as is LOUD. I use Khorn Bass Bins with my 45 amps, and they are anything but Bass Shy for me. I even have a Rel Subwoofer hooked up, but rarely turn it on. I have used an SPL meter and measure my listening Volume that peaks in the mid 90s db. Any louder and most ear specialists will tell you that you are damaging your hearing. While loud volumes may be enjoyable, they can be damaging to the most important part of your system. Your ears! If you are interested in producing a Rock Concert in your home, you are correct that a 45 amp cannot do it without extreme distortion. But if you like to listen to music and enjoy as you say dynamics, soundstaging, depth, clarity, air etc...etc... - These are as good as amps that I've heard. Also you are very correct that if you purchase these, your will have very little trouble recouping your investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBryan Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Congratulations and welcome to the world of low-power SET! I lived with 45 amps running my Khorns for years and was very happy with that setup. I had listened to many different topologies but it was SET that really tripped my trigger and although I still have the occasion to hook up a SS, P/P or some other design, I always return to SET. My 1st SET amp was an 845, then a 300b, 2A3, 45, 10Y and finally back to 45. Each tube has its charms but in my system, I concluded that the lower the power, the more detail, nuance and that "you are there" sensation. I only removed the 10Y amp because it simply couldn't drive the Khorns effectively - I'm sure it would sound really sweet with a more efficient speaker or if I listened at lower volumes. If you listen to music in the 80-90dB range and your room is less than 20' x 20', you shouldn't have a problem with a 45 SET set up. The possible compromise and what I believe Joe is referring to is that while the bass is there in all its fast and detailed glory, it wont have that chest-thumping, push you to the back of your chair power that some folks prefer. You'll have the opportunity to decide for yourself if the added articulation is worth trading off the extra power. The Welborne DRDs are very nice amps and it'd be hard to find a better 45 amp at that price - even if you built it yourself. I've had several 45 amps in my system (modified Sun Audio, Fi Audio monos, Korneff 45SE among others) and ended up with and still have the tube-rectified DRD45s running the top end of a 2-way system. Enjoy your new toys and let us know how they turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPower Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 JBryan, Thanks very much for the welcome into your club. Your words are very re-assuring. Your description (seems to echo Cut-Throat's) is what I am hoping to achieve. I don't mind the occasional rock concert in the basement, but what I am really after is to sit down there and enjoy the music and all it's subtleties. If the 45s are a step up in this regard, I am pretty sure I will enjoy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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