300B alternatives

ziocalepino · 29th December 2011, 09:17 AM

Hi, I'm a newbie on Tube amplifiers. I've bought a Dared MP30 B single end one with 300B as tubes. Is it possible to try other kind of tubes on this amplifier? Many thanks to all of you.
Ziocalepino

Jebem · 29th December 2011, 11:58 AM

Chinese 300B are cheap and usually are reliable.
Using other non-300B tubes is risky if you don't modify the operating point (bias) to the correct value. Also the output transformer impedance is designed for a specific tube in mind, so go changing the tube type without changing the transformer is not a good idea.

However, one closest tube that sounds better than a 300B to my ears is the 2A3, but it just gives 3Watt maximum in Single End mode against the 8Watt of a 300B.
Also, one needs to pay attention to the maximum anode voltage and power dissipation as well...

ErikdeBest · 29th December 2011, 12:24 PM

complementing Jebem: also filament voltage is different! With other words: Don't even think about plugging a 2A3 in a 300B amplifier!

Jebem · 29th December 2011, 12:52 PM

Thanks Erik!
Forgot that "small" detail of filament working voltage and current....

ziocalepino · 29th December 2011, 04:41 PM

Well, speaking with a friend of mine and after reading your posts I've understood, at least, that it is very critical to subsitute 300B with different tubes, expecially for me that I'm not an expert in electronic.

Remaining in 300B world, there are lots of these tubes at very different prices. Consider that I listen to Jazz and classic music using Lowther Acousta self made cabinets. Have you any suggestion on brands that offer high quality at not so high price? I've seen JJ-Tesla and Shuguang at quite reasonable price.

Bye

Ziocalepino

kevinkr · 29th December 2011, 06:17 PM

The JJ have been good in my experience, just try to get tubes tested and burned in by the vendor for best reliability.

ziocalepino · 29th December 2011, 06:37 PM

I don't know if in Italy it is possible to find already tested and burned, anyway thanks for tip. JJ cost more or less 220 euros per matched pair, an affordable proce. Shuguang can cost two times. Then there are russian 300B and many chinese but I'll prefer to stay on known brands,

azazello · 29th December 2011, 08:22 PM

I think, JJ or US tube are like "different" against Chinese....
Go ahead with JJ or US! Result will be very different!

Jebem · 29th December 2011, 08:36 PM

JJ are great (I have a pair running fine on my amp) but they have a high price.

Russian Sovtek are great and very close in sound and electrical behavior to the famous WE300B, at a much lower price thanthe WE's.

Chinese Shuguang are ok but usually it are not as linear or powerfull as JJ or Sovteks; they used to sell for a low price in the past, but apparently it is raising nowadays.

Jebem · 29th December 2011, 09:00 PM

For Chinese Shuguang, a pair can be acquired for 335 Euro + VAT from Distrilec, one international supplier:

https://www.distrelec.com/ishopWebFr...is/620365.html

29th December 2011, 09:17 AM	#1
ziocalepino diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	300B alternatives Hi, I'm a newbie on Tube amplifiers. I've bought a Dared MP30 B single end one with 300B as tubes. Is it possible to try other kind of tubes on this amplifier? Many thanks to all of you. Ziocalepino

29th December 2011, 12:24 PM	#3
ErikdeBest mostly thinkerer diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maputo - Mozambique	complementing Jebem: also filament voltage is different! With other words: Don't even think about plugging a 2A3 in a 300B amplifier! __________________ my surname is indeed 'de Best': neither misspelling nor snobbism! Ask SY!

29th December 2011, 06:17 PM	#6
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	The JJ have been good in my experience, just try to get tubes tested and burned in by the vendor for best reliability. __________________ "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Alternatives Materials	Yoshy	Multi-Way	16	21st September 2010 09:03 PM
AD825 alternatives?	woodturner-fran	Parts	0	27th November 2008 11:41 AM
FS: for 300B (JE Labs 300B SE) builders	cartman	Swap Meet	2	29th October 2008 01:13 PM
* 35 watt * 300B SE = super 300B + Class A2	rick57	Tubes / Valves	4	13th July 2005 04:18 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

29th December 2011, 11:58 AM	#2
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	Chinese 300B are cheap and usually are reliable. Using other non-300B tubes is risky if you don't modify the operating point (bias) to the correct value. Also the output transformer impedance is designed for a specific tube in mind, so go changing the tube type without changing the transformer is not a good idea. However, one closest tube that sounds better than a 300B to my ears is the 2A3, but it just gives 3Watt maximum in Single End mode against the 8Watt of a 300B. Also, one needs to pay attention to the maximum anode voltage and power dissipation as well...

29th December 2011, 12:52 PM	#4
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	Thanks Erik! Forgot that "small" detail of filament working voltage and current....

29th December 2011, 04:41 PM	#5
ziocalepino diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	Well, speaking with a friend of mine and after reading your posts I've understood, at least, that it is very critical to subsitute 300B with different tubes, expecially for me that I'm not an expert in electronic. Remaining in 300B world, there are lots of these tubes at very different prices. Consider that I listen to Jazz and classic music using Lowther Acousta self made cabinets. Have you any suggestion on brands that offer high quality at not so high price? I've seen JJ-Tesla and Shuguang at quite reasonable price. Bye Ziocalepino

29th December 2011, 06:37 PM	#7
ziocalepino diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	I don't know if in Italy it is possible to find already tested and burned, anyway thanks for tip. JJ cost more or less 220 euros per matched pair, an affordable proce. Shuguang can cost two times. Then there are russian 300B and many chinese but I'll prefer to stay on known brands,

29th December 2011, 08:22 PM	#8
azazello diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bulgaria	I think, JJ or US tube are like "different" against Chinese.... Go ahead with JJ or US! Result will be very different!

29th December 2011, 08:36 PM	#9
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	JJ are great (I have a pair running fine on my amp) but they have a high price. Russian Sovtek are great and very close in sound and electrical behavior to the famous WE300B, at a much lower price thanthe WE's. Chinese Shuguang are ok but usually it are not as linear or powerfull as JJ or Sovteks; they used to sell for a low price in the past, but apparently it is raising nowadays.

29th December 2011, 09:00 PM	#10
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	For Chinese Shuguang, a pair can be acquired for 335 Euro + VAT from Distrilec, one international supplier: https://www.distrelec.com/ishopWebFr...is/620365.html

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read