Triode tubes??

madmax

Does anyone know anything about triode tubes? I guess they are called things like 300b, 2a3, 45 etc?? I'm just getting my learn on but it sounds like they operate as a single transistor? Single ended, does that necessarily mean a triode tube? Any info is ok. How they sound, problems, coolness, anything.
madmax

fredv

Hee hee, you know more tubes than I do. I can only say a single transistor is a triode :-) Tube was invented before the transistor :-)
I suppose you are looking for opinion on the so called power tirodes. My experience with the power triodes is limited to the Radii 211 that Russ sold me. Due to my speakers are not efficient enough for the Radii, I can say, the mid is quite sweet but wish a little more slam. To get the very best out of them, you probably want a pair good efficient speakers. Coolness factor, absolutely, the tubes are big :-)

Edit: just saw your signature, yeah, horn is what I want as well!!!

madmax

I got this real bad want of some horns right now. Been thinking about different ones for awhile but haven't done anything about it. Need to save some $$ first.
madmax

Refefer

madmax wrote: »

I got this real bad want of some horns right now. Been thinking about different ones for awhile but haven't done anything about it. Need to save some $$ first.
madmax

Which horns are you looking at? Certainly picky things to get sounding perfect, but such a good soundstage when done right... though in need of a good subwoofer for anything under 80hz.

Check out: http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/zentriode_e.html

It's supposed to be excellent sounding, and one of the cheapest flea-watters around.

And don't forget Tripath amps! Those upgraded t-amps can belt it out pretty good and love super sensitive speakers. My Trends audio sounds excellent and doesn't skimp out on the lower register like the original does, and only costs around $140 to boot.

organ

Some consider the 300B, 2A3 and 45's as the ultimate tube. Problem is, in a single ended application, 300b's produce 8w/ch, 2A3 around 3.5w and 45's around 1.5w. That's why a lot of people use them with big horns.
Another thing about them is that they're "directly heated triodes". Never heard any of them yet but people find them to be very magical lol. I'm running SET right now but with the 6c33 tubes which are indirectly heated. I have 20w/ch which is big power for a SET amp.

Here's a site with everything you ever wanted to know about SET and directly heated triode tubes. I love the audio articles by Dr. Gizmo. Check it out, a must read for all tube fanatics, one of my fav site for articles.... http://www.meta-gizmo.com/Tri/index-1.html

Which horns are you looking at? I scored on a pair of Klipsch La Scala and I'm finished. Seriously, no more speaker upgrade for many, many years to come. Hell, they might even be my last speakers. 104db/w/m Can get real loud with set amps. This is my third pair of horn speakers. Careful, the horn+set sound is the most addictive. There's no turning back for me now.

Look for a complete horn system. Bass horns have the most incredible sound but they are on the larger side.

madmax

I've been looking at the avantgard Uno Nano. I would have to power them with my 100wpc tube amps for the time being and am thinking that might be a problem but not sure. They are rated at 10 to 100 wpc and state 104 db eff. I'll check out the link.
madmax

organ

Whoa, the avantgardes are beautiful. This is a serious purchase.
Your tube amps are no problem. Some horn users even use pro amps like Crown.
At 104db/w/m you'll only be using a fraction of a watt most of the time. This is where tubes are nice. At the lower wattage point, they produce the least amount of distortion. So big or small tube power, they should sound great. More power will give plenty of control. This is what I notice with my tube amps ranging from 5w/ch to 35w/ch.