I have a stock First Watt F4 amp that I may want to use for driving my forthcoming ~ 94db speakers. Presumably by now, there have been quite a few basic mods done on this amp.
But what are those which most listeners found made the biggest improvements to the F4's clean but tube like sound quality?
My other goal is choosing a line stage for maximizing the chance for the F4 to sound like the best 300B amps. http://www.airtight-anm.com/components/atm300.html
In the F4 manual, Nelson Pass said that he had no problem powering his 94db speakers in his 11K cu ft room with 5 volts driving the F4. As my room is only 2300 cu ft what tube amp line stage will help me achieve the best 300B-like sound from the F4?
OR, should I forget the whole thing and pursue a V-FET amp??
But what are those which most listeners found made the biggest improvements to the F4's clean but tube like sound quality?
My other goal is choosing a line stage for maximizing the chance for the F4 to sound like the best 300B amps. http://www.airtight-anm.com/components/atm300.html
In the F4 manual, Nelson Pass said that he had no problem powering his 94db speakers in his 11K cu ft room with 5 volts driving the F4. As my room is only 2300 cu ft what tube amp line stage will help me achieve the best 300B-like sound from the F4?
OR, should I forget the whole thing and pursue a V-FET amp??
If you have the amp you want your F4 to sound like. Why not just use it rather than make your F4 try and mimmic it. It will probably never sound like it because it isn’t it. Each one has its own sonic signature. Maybe put them on an A/B switch and alternate. Everything down to how much wax is in your ear canals today: to what mood you are in can completely change what either amp sounds like.
Ears, amps, preamps and at the top of the list rooms are all different and subjective. Use whatever makes you happy!
Ears, amps, preamps and at the top of the list rooms are all different and subjective. Use whatever makes you happy!
Obviously, I prefer a great sounding 300B SET amp. But they often go for crazy prices. http://www.airtight-anm.com/
And even 1watt/channel 300B preamps are barely affordable, which I would love to use to drive the F4 with, are almost twice what I want to spend.
https://upscaleaudio.com/products/manley-neo-classic-300b-preamplifier
Maybe the guys at the tube section of this forum will have the answer. Thanks for try to help.
And even 1watt/channel 300B preamps are barely affordable, which I would love to use to drive the F4 with, are almost twice what I want to spend.
https://upscaleaudio.com/products/manley-neo-classic-300b-preamplifier
Maybe the guys at the tube section of this forum will have the answer. Thanks for try to help.
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try finding 12B4 preamp thread in toob forum
here, for toob flavor got with sand, look for https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/schade-common-gate-scg-preamp.380487/
here, for toob flavor got with sand, look for https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/schade-common-gate-scg-preamp.380487/
I have a 300B preamp before KT66 PP, and a 300B SET integrated -- they are totally different despite same-brand/price 300B tubes (Shuguang).
Again, my speakers will be ~ 94db/w/m in my 2880 cu ft room ; 11 ft triangular ceiling. While the room may not be considered big by Earl Geddes standards the speakers would likely need 5 wpc or so. That line stage doesn't appear to be able to deliver at least 7 volts for driving F4 to prevent excessive distortion and prevent risks from hazardous transients that could vaporize my drivers. That looks like what might happen with this line stage, though it's twice my budget anyway.
https://www.manley.com/hifi/neo3br
Alternately, which might be among the best tube-based commercially built line stages to drive the F4 for my speakers-but which can make the F4 sound the most like a 300B SET amp-even if it didn't use 300B tubes?
This was the amp that Lynn Olson highly recommended http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/valhalla integrated.html
as strong alternative to the >>>>>$ 300B he's designing with Don Sachs. http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/300b project.html Thanks for the sharing your Shuguang tube brand.
This might be a good solution. if it does a very clean 10v output at at compatible output impedance.
Fwiw: I’ve used Wayne’s 2018 pre and the NuTube B1 to drive the F4 into 94 db speakers in a much larger room and it’s more than enough.
I doubt it’s the sound that you’re after though.
I doubt it’s the sound that you’re after though.
Or just go way into the deep end: https://ankaudiokits.com/product/pre-amp-l5-mentor/
Need to ask ANK what the RMS output is however.
Best,
Anand.
Need to ask ANK what the RMS output is however.
Best,
Anand.