In Reply to: Thinking ahead to Stereomour... posted by Dr. Toobz on September 20, 2009 at 10:20:34:
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that the transformer would be a limiting factor in any potential 300B conversion. While the hum might not be great for headphones, I think 2 or 3mV probably wouldn't even be noticeable on my current speakers - though that's a lot higher than my S.E.X. build, which has an inky black silence, even turned op all the way on 99dB/W/m Klipsch RF-5's. The S.E.X. amp spoiled me with its dead silent background - my solid state stuff wasn't even that quiet!
Since I've not heard DHT's and am not sure of the difference in sound quality between them and indirectly-heated tubes (though the Quickie might give me a taste of that, albeit using DC), I may be better off in the long run sinking $700-900 into more sensitive speakers, 6EM7's, and the MQ irons for my S.E.X. amp. I'd love to build some Voigt pipes, Zigmahornets, or another TQWP variant, but with no woodworking tools and no place to put any (1 car garage + SUV = no workshop) I may have to stick with pre-made stuff. The late Terry Cain's "Abby" looks incredibly cool, but at $2k/pair with shipping, they're way beyond a comfortable price point. Luckily, no wife = no WAF to worry about, so size/practicality are not the stumbling blocks here.
The open-baffle speakers Coca linked to are interesting as well, though I've never heard any OB speakers to know what they might sound like.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Thinking ahead to Stereomour... - Dr. Toobz 19:32:14 09/20/09 (0)