2a3, 300b?
- Thread starter Iggu74
- Start date
ldatlof
We are all steak
The speakers I will be mating this amp to are Klipsch Cornwalls which I believe have a sensitivity rating just north of 100db.
My 15 watt Quad II are more than adequate in my room (24' x 14') while the SE EL84 Magnavox just didn't have enough power for classic rock.
Hi all - Thanks for the replies, greatly appriciated.
I just want to try tubes. My speakers are super low sensitivity of 85 db and 8 ohm, just wrote Xavian manufactor and ask them about the loudspeakers impedance curve and see if they can be driven by a tubeamp. While high sensitivity has a great deal to say about performance with low watts, impedance also is a major factor.
I hope they are tube friendly, and I am not looking for high volumes at the moment, as said, I have solid state equipment if I need high volumes with these speakers.
Just want to experience tube sound without having to buy new speakers, and just love the look of the Yaqin MS-2a3 or MS-300b and they are cheap, so if they do not work well with the speakers I at least have something pretty to look at - hehe.
I just want to try tubes. My speakers are super low sensitivity of 85 db and 8 ohm, just wrote Xavian manufactor and ask them about the loudspeakers impedance curve and see if they can be driven by a tubeamp. While high sensitivity has a great deal to say about performance with low watts, impedance also is a major factor.
I hope they are tube friendly, and I am not looking for high volumes at the moment, as said, I have solid state equipment if I need high volumes with these speakers.
Just want to experience tube sound without having to buy new speakers, and just love the look of the Yaqin MS-2a3 or MS-300b and they are cheap, so if they do not work well with the speakers I at least have something pretty to look at - hehe.
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?
Hi,
I have worked on, built, and own SET amps that use the 2A3 and 300B. First off, the 300B is a much more powerful tube then the 2A3. We are talking power of 3.5 watts for a 2A3 amp and around 7 - 9 watts for a 300B amp (audio output power at the speaker terminals and not plate dissipation). As for the Yaqin amp, it isn't bad. I mean, the real thing with a SET amp is the output transformer. I think the One Electron transformers I used on my amps sound better, but one should let their own ears decide that one. For the money a Yaqin amp is a pretty darn nice sounding amp.
Although I have a stereo amp I use which uses a single 2A3 per channel,
it requires fairly efficient speakers to sound very loud. The 300B amps I have worked with have enough power that they sound loud through just about anything. The 300B does have this midrange 'bloom' for lack of a better word, that is not found in a well designed 2A3 amp. Some people, who are heavily into female vocals, really like this and will sing the praises of the 300B all day. Myself, I am into rock, blues and jazz and prefer the sound of the 2A3. I have built several 2A3 parallel amps where I connect a pair of 2A3's in single ended class A parallel to deliver 7 or so watts of power. I get that same sweet 2A3 sound, but at twice the power. This amp rivals the power of the 300B, but has that flatter frequency response of the 2A3. Again, it is all about personal preference and your ears. Personally I like the 2A3 the best. But, I'd be happy with either a 300B or 2A3 amp. If the price is close, and you need a bit more then 3.5 watts a channel, go with the 300B amp.
If you totally love the 2A3 sound, then an alternative would be a 2A3 parallel amp like the one I build if you want power close to what a 300B amp can deliver. You have a tough choice to make here. Can you get your hands on both a 2A3 and 300B amp? If you can, just spend an hour or so with each of them playing music you like and let your own ears decide. One thing I know is that a properly designed SET amp can deliver deep thunderous bass and very extended highs. The 2A3 parallel amp playing behind me can reproduce frequencies from around 8hz to above 50Khz. Good enough for my old ears.
Bill
More particularly I am thinking about Yaqin MS-2a3 and Yaqin MS-300b (also Yaqin MS-500b).
Anyone with insight about those models?
Hi,
I have worked on, built, and own SET amps that use the 2A3 and 300B. First off, the 300B is a much more powerful tube then the 2A3. We are talking power of 3.5 watts for a 2A3 amp and around 7 - 9 watts for a 300B amp (audio output power at the speaker terminals and not plate dissipation). As for the Yaqin amp, it isn't bad. I mean, the real thing with a SET amp is the output transformer. I think the One Electron transformers I used on my amps sound better, but one should let their own ears decide that one. For the money a Yaqin amp is a pretty darn nice sounding amp.
Although I have a stereo amp I use which uses a single 2A3 per channel,
it requires fairly efficient speakers to sound very loud. The 300B amps I have worked with have enough power that they sound loud through just about anything. The 300B does have this midrange 'bloom' for lack of a better word, that is not found in a well designed 2A3 amp. Some people, who are heavily into female vocals, really like this and will sing the praises of the 300B all day. Myself, I am into rock, blues and jazz and prefer the sound of the 2A3. I have built several 2A3 parallel amps where I connect a pair of 2A3's in single ended class A parallel to deliver 7 or so watts of power. I get that same sweet 2A3 sound, but at twice the power. This amp rivals the power of the 300B, but has that flatter frequency response of the 2A3. Again, it is all about personal preference and your ears. Personally I like the 2A3 the best. But, I'd be happy with either a 300B or 2A3 amp. If the price is close, and you need a bit more then 3.5 watts a channel, go with the 300B amp.
If you totally love the 2A3 sound, then an alternative would be a 2A3 parallel amp like the one I build if you want power close to what a 300B amp can deliver. You have a tough choice to make here. Can you get your hands on both a 2A3 and 300B amp? If you can, just spend an hour or so with each of them playing music you like and let your own ears decide. One thing I know is that a properly designed SET amp can deliver deep thunderous bass and very extended highs. The 2A3 parallel amp playing behind me can reproduce frequencies from around 8hz to above 50Khz. Good enough for my old ears.
Bill
Hi Bill!
Thanks for your reply.
I have no way of auditioning either of the two, since I live in Greenland. We do not have access to tube amps where I live. Only way is to buy online without auditioning them first.
The Yaqin MS-300b (2*9.5w) is a S.E.T amp, and the MS-2a3 (2*14w) is P.P as I understand based on the output rating?
Thanks for your reply.
I have no way of auditioning either of the two, since I live in Greenland. We do not have access to tube amps where I live. Only way is to buy online without auditioning them first.
The Yaqin MS-300b (2*9.5w) is a S.E.T amp, and the MS-2a3 (2*14w) is P.P as I understand based on the output rating?
vinylkid58
Super Member
To avoid disappointment, I would seriously consider something with more power. The YAQIN - MC-100B would be a better choice power wise for your 85dB speakers. It will have plenty of power for your speakers even in triode mode, and give you the "tube" sound that you're looking for.
Jeff
Dave C
Super Member
Did we tell you that either will also help heat your home?
Hi
Have placed a bid on a Audioromy 838a FU-13/813 because it has more power for my speakers. Hopefully I win and they are able to ship to Greenland.
Crossing my fingers Yaqin comes out with a higher output tube amp with the same design of the MS-300b/MS-2a3 amps - think they are the best looking of the chinese amps I have seen so far.
Have placed a bid on a Audioromy 838a FU-13/813 because it has more power for my speakers. Hopefully I win and they are able to ship to Greenland.
Crossing my fingers Yaqin comes out with a higher output tube amp with the same design of the MS-300b/MS-2a3 amps - think they are the best looking of the chinese amps I have seen so far.
