2a3, 300b?

[Iggu74]

What are the differences between those two? Is it the tubes used or?
More particularly I am thinking about Yaqin MS-2a3 and Yaqin MS-300b (also Yaqin MS-500b).

Anyone with insight about those models?

 

[vincei]

Can't really comment on the sonic differences, but one thing I do know is I like my MS-300B!

 

[Kierkegaard]

Can't really comment on the sonic differences, but one thing I do know is I like my MS-300B!

Me too.

— K.

 

[Iggu74]

Ok, they say about the MS-2a3 its a 2009 model, 300b being the earlier version (?), or maybe it's just the tubes used for this version - hmm ...

Reason I ask is that I most likely is going to order either one in a week, and so far I have decided for the Yaqin MS-2a3, unless ofcourse the MS-300b is the better choice, they roughly cost the same on ebay.

 

[Kierkegaard]

Hmmm ... yes they do look very similar .... although they seem to have different tube configurations. If I knew more about tubes I might be able to tell you more. What I can tell you is that the 300b offers a very clean, warm sound, with no listening fatigue at all, and I'm using the original Chinese tubes that came with the amp. This amp is absolutely amazing for classical, jazz, and acoustic music. Sometimes, though, I find it isn't powerful enough for rock.

 

[mashaffer]

IIRC the 300 can dissipate more than twice the power. That would be a rather substantial difference right off the bat. Depending on speakers it may or may not be an issue.

mike

 

[Iggu74]

Ok - the MS-300b is rated to 2*9.5w 8 ohm and MS-2a3 version is 2*14w 8 ohm.

My speakers is kind of low sensitivity, but I do not plan on playing loud with this amp, got 2 small kids asleep when I listen to music. Besides, if I need to play louder i can always use a SS amp.

 

[miniman82]

Forget about SS, tubes can be loud AND sound good at the same time. Just ask my ST-70, or any Mac owner for that matter.

 

[vincei]

Hmmmm, It seems the amp you are looking at uses 2x 2A3's per channel for 14w, compared to 9.5w per channel single 300B tube for the MS-300B. I am wondering what impact on sound that would have. :scratch2:

 

[Iggu74]

I have read a little on the net about the 2a3 tubes and it seems it cannot produce as many watts as a 300b, so I cant understand why they can rate the tube amp to produce 2*14w 8 ohm with 2x2a3 tubes per channel. Am I missing something?

 

[Kierkegaard]

The 300b has two of the big tubes, while the MS-2a3 has four. Is it simply because there are more of them? I'm so ignorant of the way these things work that I'm only guessing. Also, are the tubes the only factor in how many watts the amp produces?

 

[Tedrick]

The 2A3 tube is lower output than the 300B. Something on the order of 2.5-3 watts vs. 8-9 watts. Both need pretty efficient speakers, the 2A3 even more so.

 

[Iggu74]

I see. They rate the 2a3 config as 2*14w and the 300b config as 2*9.5w, so those numbers are not correct?

link : http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/Yaqin_MS-2A3.html

 

[mashaffer]

If those numbers are correct then the 2A3 must be push pull. That, I would think, would have more of an effect on the sound than the tube used. The distortion profile will be completely different among other things. Sounds like you better find a way to audition both.

mike

 

[ldatlof]

I am thinking of buying the Yaqin 300b in the near future. They say that part of the magic with these tubes types is the Single Ended configuration. Yaqin's 2A3 is push-pull and for me that rules it out.

I once had a single ended EL84 amp that sounded excellent but didn't have enough power for me. That's why I want the SE 300b amp. More power.

I have nothing against push-pull (I have three right now and they all sound excellent too) but SE is just different.

 

[Kierkegaard]

Hi Idatlof ... My Yaqin 300b sounds beautiful, warm, clear, clean, forward ... but it is definitely NOT powerful. In fact — I'm not sure how vincei feels about this, who also has a Yaqin 300b — but that's my only criticism of this wonderful amp.

 

[Dave C]

I have scratch built 300B amps that I built. I have 96db sensitivity speakers. I just turned them off after a 1 + hour listening session and my ears are ringing. (Henry Mancini & Montivani & Robert Plant) I would say I get 6 to 7 watts per channel. A 2A3 tube is only about 2.5 watts so the amp you are looking at has to be push pull. The 2A3 tube is a very nice sounding tube but I would probably pic the 300B amp if you are unable to listen to both of them. Efficient speakers are a must with single ended amps, but single ended amps are soooooo easy to listen to. My scratch built amps are on this thread. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=224767

 

[vincei]

Hi Idatlof ... My Yaqin 300b sounds beautiful, warm, clear, clean, forward ... but it is definitely NOT powerful. In fact — I'm not sure how vincei feels about this, who also has a Yaqin 300b — but that's my only criticism of this wonderful amp.

It won't blow a room apart, but mine is quite loud, then again, I have a small space. If I had more sensitive speakers, I'm sure it would be very loud. Another thing to consider, is that the amp plays quite effortlessly, therefor it may not seem loud, but if you try to talk, you realize the level of volume. How sensitive are your speakers?

 

[Kierkegaard]

it may not seem loud, but if you try to talk, you realize the level of volume

That's an extremely good point, vince, and it happens to me all the time.

My 300b is driving a pair of B&W XT4s. I'm honestly not sure how efficient they are. I also tried the amp with a pair of vintage JBL L100s but found them too bassy (probably the speakers, not the amp) and a vintage pair of Heco 4 ohm bookshelf speakers. They sounded amazing, actually, but the B&Ws are much more transparent.

Another good point you made is room size. My listening area is very large, with high ceilings and a brick wall. Filling the whole space with sound takes a lot of power. For that reason I've actually been looking at the Yaqin VK-2100 integrated amp, which is rated at 85 watts per channel ... but that's another story.

— K.

 

[Destructor]

I often use an AES 300B amp and I love the sound, I use it with Klipsch Forte's. That being said I wish I had a bit more power. Certain CD's are fine while others can reveal it's lack of power, not a major drawback because usually the SE sound makes up for it. I now use (since 2002) an AES push pull Superamp with KT66's wired in triode for 15 watts which is plenty adequate for nearly all my listening needs but I still often rotate my SE amp into my system.