Dear all,
anyone familiar with the Emission Labs 2a3 mesh(not globe mesh) and S versions?
Are they both optimal for Push pull amps? if so, what is the difference?
Much thanks, cheers!
Filip
anyone familiar with the Emission Labs 2a3 mesh(not globe mesh) and S versions?
Are they both optimal for Push pull amps? if so, what is the difference?
Much thanks, cheers!
Filip
The "S" has higher maximum values (400V, 100mA, 28W continuous dissipation) than mesh version (350V, 70mA, 18W).
Motorbreath,
28 Watts and 400V is 70mA Boutique
18 Watts and 350V is 51.4mA Boutique
2A3 15 Watts, 300V max. 300V at 50mA, or use the more classic 250V at 60mA.
Much different than the Boutique tubes.
Always remember you can not run the max voltage and the max current ratings at the same time.
Spend ($pend) your money on output transformers. They may not look as pretty as a boutique tube, but good transformers perform well.
If you need more power from a SE amp, or more power from a push pull amp, use classic tubes that have high(er) power ratings, instead of using boutique tubes that are some new design, that "steal" the name of the original designs, but are not really the same specs as the original.
Go for sound, proven circuits.
Or go for Boutique, and tubes that have less proven circuits, and less people who are experienced with them.
Just my opinion.
28 Watts and 400V is 70mA Boutique
18 Watts and 350V is 51.4mA Boutique
2A3 15 Watts, 300V max. 300V at 50mA, or use the more classic 250V at 60mA.
Much different than the Boutique tubes.
Always remember you can not run the max voltage and the max current ratings at the same time.
Spend ($pend) your money on output transformers. They may not look as pretty as a boutique tube, but good transformers perform well.
If you need more power from a SE amp, or more power from a push pull amp, use classic tubes that have high(er) power ratings, instead of using boutique tubes that are some new design, that "steal" the name of the original designs, but are not really the same specs as the original.
Go for sound, proven circuits.
Or go for Boutique, and tubes that have less proven circuits, and less people who are experienced with them.
Just my opinion.
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I have been using the EML mesh plate 2A3 V4 version (octal socket with a separate cathode connection) in a single ended amp for a couple of years. I use the Electra Print 3k ohm transformers and run the tubes at 260V @ 52mA; Eg = -47V. I am very pleased with the sound and they are very quiet with the cathode connection.
The EML replaced the JJ 2A3-40 tubes in the same amp, but I can't quantify the difference in sound quality since I changed the driver tube at the same time and the operating point to accommodate the mesh plate tube. I had to change the socket and while I had the amps on the bench, I wanted to try the EC86 as a driver tube.
If I were to build a push pull 2A3 amp I would go for the JJ 2A3-40. I have run these tubes for extended periods single ended at 290V @ 66mA and they sound great and certainly are bullet proof as I have been using them for about 5 years at that operating point.
The EML replaced the JJ 2A3-40 tubes in the same amp, but I can't quantify the difference in sound quality since I changed the driver tube at the same time and the operating point to accommodate the mesh plate tube. I had to change the socket and while I had the amps on the bench, I wanted to try the EC86 as a driver tube.
If I were to build a push pull 2A3 amp I would go for the JJ 2A3-40. I have run these tubes for extended periods single ended at 290V @ 66mA and they sound great and certainly are bullet proof as I have been using them for about 5 years at that operating point.
I've just built a SE 6C4C output stage with a similar operating point. 276v @50mA and -56v bias. Sounds nice and very quiet with Rod Coleman regs. Dissipation in both cases is just under 14W, so a nice easy way to make the tubes last. I imagine this suits mesh plates well.
I use a EML20b output tube in my amplifier, I bought the tubes 11 years ago, over 30000 hours of use and still very good. My friend wich use the same amplifier with different opt used 4 pairs NOS 2A3 in the same time. What is boutique?
Boutique:
Adjective ▲
Specialized custom-made products or services for clientele in a niche market
Boutique often refers to a small women's shop for clothing and jewelry (as in for the rich and famous)
I hope you get the idea.
Adjective ▲
Specialized custom-made products or services for clientele in a niche market
Boutique often refers to a small women's shop for clothing and jewelry (as in for the rich and famous)
I hope you get the idea.
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Purchase a commodity product, and you get 90% of the maximum available quality and performance.
Purchase a Boutique product, and you get the remaining 10% of the maximum quality and performance.
A Commodity product is 10% of the price of a Boutique product (90% additional price).
"The point of diminishing returns"
"All Generalizations Have Exceptions".
Purchase a Boutique product, and you get the remaining 10% of the maximum quality and performance.
A Commodity product is 10% of the price of a Boutique product (90% additional price).
"The point of diminishing returns"
"All Generalizations Have Exceptions".
I agree. I invested in very good transformers and actually i'm not so focussed on the amount of power. I need a quad for this amp.The problem is to make the best possible choice for 2a3's out there.
We are lucky enough to have some companies who are making these tubes new NOS tubes are not my preferred route at all. The quality 2a3 stocks have dried up(or at least that's what a lot of people make us believe) and prices are simply too high and unreliable.
Chinese tubes? Are there any ? I recently saw the "new" Cossor replicas (made by Linlai now) but i do not really trust it.
So far i have seen experiences with the EML mesh version in SE amps only. Does that mean that the mesh version is not suitable for PP amps?
Thanks all!
I decided to order a quad of JJ 2a3 and the S version EML. It is always good to have an extra set and experience any difference in tube quality firsthand. I'll report later on my experience with both sets.
cheers!
I decided to order a quad of JJ 2a3 and the S version EML. It is always good to have an extra set and experience any difference in tube quality firsthand. I'll report later on my experience with both sets.
cheers!