parallel 2a3 amp this winter??

[Dave C]

From a recent post I read about a 2A3 parallel amp having about the same power as a 300B. I've always thought about 2A3 tubes but felt my efforts to build something were best focused on the 300B because of the extra power. In the post I read a few days ago someone said that a parallel 2A3 would have about the same power. i guess I'm looking for input on the pros and cons on the design and possibly a circuit schematic to start with should I decide to build one.

 

[Ty_Bower]

If you're willing to use two output tubes per channel, why not go push/pull? It has the potential for significant reduction in total distortion, increased power output, and better efficiency. The output transformers need not be gapped to avoid the saturation issues with single ended designs, and as a result will offer much higher inductance and far greater bandwidth. There may be a cost savings as well, or a possibility for higher quality iron at the same price.

I like a nice single ended amplifier as much as anyone. I'll confess to owning more than one SE amp. But I don't quite understand the philosophy behind paralleled SE amps. I'd suspect that if you add up the cost to build a PSE 2A3 amp, it would be more than just building a 300B.

 

[mashaffer]

There you go. Make it a switchable design. PSE or PP at the flip of a switch. A lot of iron to buy and mount but a small price to pay in the interest of scientific discovery.

mike