300B SE Amp

[alexs2]

I had a feeling the comments would be related to the circuit(a topic I stay well away from!),but mine were relating to the appearance,which I know my wife would have a fit over....she still regards the WADs as something out of the 50s,although even she likes the sound( as a self-confessed non-audiophile).

[KennyK]

Yes, I'd love 300B SE, but only as a pair of monoblocks.

[Ianm2]

my take for a circuit.

ecc83 front end, rc coupled to ecc82/ecc88, transformer coupled to the 300b.

similar to the original pp but with common valves.

bet it would be good, but inevitably some won't like the valves.

[Richard]

Is this post on the right thread Ian?
Rich

[Baggy Trousers]

Might the fact that others offer a 300B SE suggest that there is some volume in this market sector? If so, then WD would be unwise to ignore it.

I have had no interest in SE designs since JNTW showed me something better and I'm a bit like the little boy who couldn't see the king's new clothes when it comes to the 300B - I can't see what the fuss is about, particularly given its cost. But it currently is enjoying considerable vogue and I agree that a well-presented 300B SE in monoblock form (but physically smaller than the WAD variant - this had too much wasted space inside the chassis) would be a good idea. I voted "yes".

Baggy Trousers.

nee Richard Carruthers who has emerged from "the other side" into this new world of "junior members" - how very egalitarian!

[NickG]

Problem with that valve layout Ian is even if it sounded great (and I have doubts) people would look down their noses at it, just because of the valves (same as I just have).

If you are going with those valves, why not go the whole hog and use a triode strapped el34 instead of a 300b :-)

[steve s]

i quite agree nick,
The trouble is (as i know your aware) the really good valves are on the whole, are not in production... and are from 5-6 decades ago...

and the the main problem is defining what part of the market the amp is it aimed at...

..a really clever design could suit all needs..

say.. a standard metal chassis, an arrangement of holes for the drivers and some neat blanks and adaptors so 2 or 3 drivers could be used with any valve base,
an output transformer with a couple primarys,
muti tapped HT & ( seperate?) filament transformers to suit with 4/5/6v tappings may be supplied as an upgrade,
and some standard upgrades to the circuit to accomadate some standard..ish alterative valves

The more experenced would be able to try some of the more exotic nos valves in it

this would put the upgrade path onto a new level as far as kits go

It must be sound and neat in the basic version to attract the novice builder, and in my view the 300b would be the right valve to base the amp on for the novice builder..


steve

[Paul Barker]

Well Ian isn't that far out the ecc83 is quite a good idea, available new and nos, single gain stage.

Then use the ecc82 cf or better the souped up military version 5687.

Both ecc's readily available new production, no shortage of quality nos 5687.

The new production 6sn7's are click/pop valves due to poor construction quality I suppose and nos is too expensive.

[Martin213]

I voted yes.
A few ideas tho:
2 case styles,1 cheap and cheerful,1 exotic. Not every1 can afford a £650 kit,so could a 300B SE be 'built down to a price',without compromising sound quality?
Also,good quality power supply and output transformers,plus the 300B obviously,but as there are so many options as to how to drive it,how about different 'modules' using the same footprint,so we can experiment?
Then you could choose by topology,or by cost,making the humble 300B SE very flexible.
What do you all think?

[dave dove]

if you was going for a ecc82 or a 5687 then a 6n6p would be better but
why not a pentode first stage instead of the ecc83 (a much maligned thingy)
or 5751 (a very nice thingy)
say ef86 or 6br7 even then you could use the 6n6p as CF or even better
aikido CF

ooooops

that's what i've got

dave dove

;-)

then forget the 300b
and get a KR jobbie
and a 2.5K load