Which 300B valve for my WAD 300B PP?

[MichaelK]

I am looking to buy new valves for my WAD 300B PP amplifier - the one with the interstage transformer. I have previously used Billington Gold valves due to their reasonable cost and they have been OK. I am not prepared to splurge for WE valves or others in that price range, but there seem to be several alternatives in the 100 - 200 pound range.

Does anyone have experience to share of Billington Gold 300B and of other valves in the sub 200 pound range. I have read good things about the different TJ Full Music devices for instance.

All advice is appreciated!

[Dik Dolan]

I'm not much help, the only 300b's I've tried in my amp (Glasshouse, not WAD) are the EH gold grids. They are cheap, reliable and sound good to me- but like you I'm tempted to get some TJ meshies one day.

http://www.hotroxuk.com/electro-harm...ld-6722-0.html

[Ali Tait]

TJ's are good,though you need to lower the dissipation in the amp as they are not a rugged as other types.

[Ali Tait]

I had to do this for EH valves too,the anodes were glowing red,could only see it in the dark after switching off though. This amp runs 300b's fairly hard as standard.

[david counter]

I think from what I've read that EH gold grids are the valve of choice for the 300bPP, not too expensive and perform well,

I used TJs in my Glasshouse 300b, very nice but not cheap for a quad

[Richard]

Hi Michael, I use this amp too (original version WAD 300BPP) and like the EHGG. Standard EH aren't bad either, similar powerful sound but not as refined at the top. Depends really on what you want sound-wise. With GGs it sounds very powerful. With TJs quite soft and weak (by comparison) but very sweet and delicate at the top. With JJs it's ok too a thicker, breathier, sort of sound. Valve Arts are pretty good too (Billingtons may be these, mine are Chelmer premium) for rock. In short none are bad and the amp sounds good with all of them. Unfortunately one of the types I've not heard in it are the Billinton's (unless they are VA) so I don't know what you like and where you'd like to move to.

[david]

Hi There,
I agree with Richard on this one. I preferred EHGGs to TJ for the same reasons. And EHGGs were much cheaper on offer when I bought them.
Cheers
David