Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[ursus]

Thanks! Happy to be here.

(Can you tell me how to PM? Do I need to hit a certain number of posts before I can PM, visit profiles, etc.?)

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by ursus

Thanks! Happy to be here.

(Can you tell me how to PM? Do I need to hit a certain number of posts before I can PM, visit profiles, etc.?)

You will need to become a Subscriber to have full benefits. Here is the link for your convenience;

https://www.audioaficionado.org/payments.php

[Isaacc7]

Originally Posted by ursus

Thank you for all this great info. Your post (and a number of others) have me thinking that the 300b Firebottle might be the way to go.

"Triode amps, whether 300b, 2a3, or even super low power 45 based amps have their own vibe and approach."

Can you expand on this a little more?

I've heard the Feliks Audio Arioso 300b Integrated, and compared with a Primaluna (running EL34s) in the same system. Love the 300b amp.

Anything I should know beforehand about running a 300b Firebottle?

Any drawbacks to the KT88 amp?

Thanks again.

I think the only disadvantage to the KT88 amp is if you’re looking for a 300b sound it doesn’t have it On the other hand, 300b amps can sound very different from one another. If you compare an old Western Electric 300b amp with a new design with something like a newer pentode driver or mosfet follower along with a modern high quality output transformer you will hear very different things. Old triode amps are old and tend to have more of a classic “tubey” sound. Warmish, flabby bass, possibly euphonic. Modern designs tend to lean into the inherent linearity and sound much more “accurate” but in the way only tube amps can be.

Anyway, like I said before, I think 300b amps in general, and Dennis’s in particular are really designed to be used as-is. The KT88 Firebottle is aimed squarely at people that like to fiddle with their stuff. I have… a lot of tubes now because of that amp lol. I think its flexibility allows you to tune it to find the best combo with your speakers.

When I mentioned that triode amps have a different approach I mostly meant that folks that like them tend to get the amp with the tube they like first and then figure out the best speakers for the amp. You’ll end up rolling speakers instead of tubes lol.

[straitwire]

[QUOTE=ezliz;1080883]That makes sense I see Dennis is selling his preamps on ebay might have to pick one one up. Hoping to maybe see one on USAM but haven't yet so might have to buy new.

Question I want to try KT150 or KT170 but don't know if they will even fit...currently running quad of KT88 GV Golden Voice output tubes, a Shuguang Treasure CV181-Z, and an RCA 5U4G rectifier.

[/QU

The KT150's envelope is 59mm in diameter.
I laid out this chassis with enough room to accommodate the KT150.
The KT170 was not around when I made the template.
The KT170's envelope is 68mm, so it will not fit.

[nhparrot]

[QUOTE=ezliz;1080883]That makes sense I see Dennis is selling his premaps on ebay might have to pick one one up. Hoping to maybe see one on USAM but haven't yet so might have to buy new.

You may want to check with Dennis, sometimes he has preamps or amps that have been traded in and he resells those.

[straitwire]

Originally Posted by Akinkano

This is an absolute beauty. Any idea when it will be available for purchase? Would it be available with a volume control knob like the one in the Fire-Bottle 300B SET? How much will it be?

I'm not sure if there is room for a volume pot.

[IMG][/IMG]

Dennis is working on the matching prototype preamp now.
Once he is done with that, we will have a better idea as to when we will be offering them.

[ursus]

Originally Posted by Isaacc7

When I mentioned that triode amps have a different approach I mostly meant that folks that like them tend to get the amp with the tube they like first and then figure out the best speakers for the amp. You’ll end up rolling speakers instead of tubes lol.

Ha! "Rolling speakers," that is funny. (And expensive!) Thanks for the very coherent answers and info. Very helpful. BTW, your "tube rolling" thread is fantastic.

[Analog Addict]

Originally Posted by ursus

Thank you for all this great info. Your post (and a number of others) have me thinking that the 300b Firebottle might be the way to go.

"Triode amps, whether 300b, 2a3, or even super low power 45 based amps have their own vibe and approach."

Can you expand on this a little more?

I've heard the Feliks Audio Arioso 300b Integrated, and compared with a Primaluna (running EL34s) in the same system. Love the 300b amp.

Anything I should know beforehand about running a 300b Firebottle?

Any drawbacks to the KT88 amp?

Thanks again.

You are looking at Apples vs Oranges in some respects inside the tube world.

Part of this is the SEP vs SET debate, where Triodes would be typically described as more warm and lush while Pentodes would be described as more precise with perhaps some greater presence on the bottom end.

The 300b amp (non PSE) would be good for about 7-8 wpc while the KT-88 amp would be a little north of 10wpc, at least with KT-88s/6550s. The KT-88 amp is typically described as the "universal" amp, with it's ability to play all sorts of different output tubes by changing the rectifier. The 300b is one output tube only but some would argue that with WE 300bs, who needs any other tube?

Of course it's your choice, but the KT-88 amp offers a lot more in the way of experimenting via tube rolling, although it's not hard to change the final stage coupling caps as well. The 300b is dialled in and optimized.

You can't go wrong with either. If you do develop the urge to pull the trigger, PM me and I'll get you set up with Dennis...

[ursus]

Originally Posted by Analog Addict

You are looking at Apples vs Oranges in some respects inside the tube world.

Part of this is the SEP vs SET debate, where Triodes would be typically described as more warm and lush while Pentodes would be described as more precise with perhaps some greater presence on the bottom end.

The 300b amp (non PSE) would be good for about 7-8 wpc while the KT-88 amp would be a little north of 10wpc, at least with KT-88s/6550s. The KT-88 amp is typically described as the "universal" amp, with it's ability to play all sorts of different output tubes by changing the rectifier. The 300b is one output tube only but some would argue that with WE 300bs, who needs any other tube?

Of course it's your choice, but the KT-88 amp offers a lot more in the way of experimenting via tube rolling, although it's not hard to change the final stage coupling caps as well. The 300b is dialled in and optimized.

You can't go wrong with either. If you do develop the urge to pull the trigger, PM me and I'll get you set up with Dennis...

Wonderful. Thanks very much. And, this is a helpful breakdown describing the two different types of amps. I really appreciate the warm welcome and all the great information you guys share on this forum. Very cool.

[thelivingyears]

The Inspire 45 seems to be offered not that frequently. Right now I have an ANK 300B am, however, I‘m still interested in a 45 tube amp since some say their sound is special.

Anyone who has had a chance to listen to music with the Inspire 45?
And: My speakers are the Unison Max 2 speakers (96db). Are they enough for a 45 amp?