Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Oly84]

I read that the WE274B is a direct heated tube and could cause issues if used where an indirectly heated is normally used. Are you using this in a 6V6’er or universal? I haven’t checked with Dennis on this yet but have thought of trying the WE274B. Any noticeable difference from say a Mullard 5AR4? I am also eye-balling the LP-2030 but haven’t had pulled the trigger yet. Running an LP5 into the 6V6’er using the KT170’s. Just starting to play with some NOS input tubes.

[straitwire]

Hey guys, brought my 300B amp home this morning.
Letting it run today while I'm at work.
Sounds amazing, can't wait till I get home tonight.

[IMG][/IMG]

This is Dennis's Red 300B.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Simonatsea]

Originally Posted by Oly84

I read that the WE274B is a direct heated tube and could cause issues if used where an indirectly heated is normally used. Are you using this in a 6V6’er or universal? I haven’t checked with Dennis on this yet but have thought of trying the WE274B. Any noticeable difference from say a Mullard 5AR4? I am also eye-balling the LP-2030 but haven’t had pulled the trigger yet. Running an LP5 into the 6V6’er using the KT170’s. Just starting to play with some NOS input tubes.

What year is you 6V6’re? I thought I couldn’t run anything bigger than KT90’s?? The EI KT90’s are my favourite, I’d love to give the 120’s or 170’s a try though…

[Simonatsea]

Originally Posted by straitwire

Hey guys, brought my 300B amp home this morning.
Letting it run today while I'm at work.
Sounds amazing, can't wait till I get home tonight.

[IMG][/IMG]

This is Dennis's Red 300B.

[IMG][/IMG]

Wow, look at those output transformers! Love to see under the hood. Looks considerably different than the current 300B offerings.

Those Western Electric 300B’s so gorgeous!

[Bombadil]

Originally Posted by straitwire

Hey guys, brought my 300B amp home this morning.
Letting it run today while I'm at work.
Sounds amazing, can't wait till I get home tonight.

This is Dennis's Red 300B.

I like both colors. The "industrial" gray looks good on that amp.

[Bombadil]

Are those new production Tung-sol tubes, guessing 6SL7, on Dennis' amp?

[Bombadil]

Those look significantly different from the 300B amps Dennis is selling on eBay.

[Oly84]

Simonatsea,
My 6V6’er has 3/21 for a date on the bottom. Dennis provided the KT170’s for an additional charge when I purchased it, after he had tried them in his own 6V6’er. They sound fantastic to me. Probably not seeing much for additional power vs 120’s or 150’s as this amp was not designed with the KT170 in mind but it runs them just fine. Sounds more solid, 3D, or real to me vs the KT120 but not a huge difference.

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

The Westinghouse which I like was made by Westinghouse (not one of their relabeled issues) in the 1960s. It has yellow text, is taller than a normal 6SN7 and has a copper rod.

I do have a RCA red base 5692, which I find to be okay. It produces a smooth sound but without as much detail on higher frequencies. Sound stage is a bit diminished both in depth and width, not a lot but noticeable. In my setup this is not a favorite of mine, but maybe in a system/room which is a bit bright, this could be a nice pairing.

My 1940s Raytheon VT-231, with bottom getter, is very good. Open and transparent. Sounds very close to my Westinghouse, perhaps a shade better. I haven't decided on this as yet.

Also a Psvane CV181-T Mark II, another "smooth" sounding 6SN7, something like the RCA 5692 but a bit more open sounding in my system. I do occasionally use this one.

Along with many Sylvania, Hytron, Ken-Rad, and more. I must have 25 or so total. The Sylvania Bad Boys are very pricey, I have found less expensive Sylvania, those with the partial Chrome Domes and bottom-chromed to sound good. Solid tubes.

My bargain recommendation, besides the Westinghouse, are Baldwin or Conn labeled Sylvanias. I occasionally see these at around $20. They are decent tubes.

I have listened to all of these in two different Inspire amps, a KT88 Hot Rod and a PSE. Their characteristics are about the same in each amp.

Bombadil, I tried the Westinghouse and Raytheon tubes you mentioned and agree they are more open and have more detail on higher frequencies than the 5692. To me the Raytheon is a tad better than the Westinghouse. The Psvane is certainly no slouch, especially for a new manufactured tube. Have you tried a Tung-Sol 6SU7? It adds a little more sparkle in the high frequencies than the Raytheon or the Westinghouse, although they have become quite pricey.

[Bombadil]

Originally Posted by nhparrot

Have you tried a Tung-Sol 6SU7? It adds a little more sparkle in the high frequencies than the Raytheon or the Westinghouse, although they have become quite pricey.

No, I haven't tried that one. Have never even seen one.