The WE 300B

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by bazelio, Feb 26, 2019.

  1. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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  2. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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  3. type45fan

    type45fan New

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    Reminder that the 300B was introduced by Western Electric for Bell Labs for amplification of telephone lines. I wonder what frequency range is important for telephone lines, and what's considered not so important? :confused:
     
  4. Sherm

    Sherm Acquaintance

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    The first link nearly made me choke on my lunch. The second one made me spit it out... :eek:
    I know some NOS tubes can get really expensive, but DAMN!
     
  5. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    On piles of money
     
  6. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    Same way Martin Shkreli did, Ambien.
     
  7. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    In-line with TAKATSUKI, not surprising.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm not necessarily a big fan of the 300B myself (45 fan here and 45s in my main amp), but if you are implying what I think you are implying (that the 300B cannot cover the hi-fi frequency range because it was used for low-bandwidth phone lines) then I have this to say to you:

    Blub blub blub blub blub blub

    People like the 300B sound for better or worse, and the WE is IMO by far the best one out of the bunch. This announcement has been eagerly awaited by many for now.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2019
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Sadly, it's kind of a bargain even given the price of EMLs (arguably the best of the modern 300B tubes).
     
  10. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    This is a big sign for people to be wary.
    A lot of the materials used back then could have been considered hazardous, toxic or not environmentally friendly & would be outright banned today. That material could be what made those tubes from '40s & '50s so much better sounding than anything since.

    Paying $1500 for a pair only to find out, it doesn't really sound like the originals & more inline with a the modern Chinese manufactured tubes.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    There was a fairly modern run of WE300Bs 15-20 years ago? Supposed those 300Bs were very close or as good as the vintage 300Bs. Now I would be curious if this latest run would be using the same processes and materials from that most recent run? I'll ask around. I thought I had heard that some people bought up the equipment and know-how, but I don't know if this is true.
     
  12. type45fan

    type45fan New

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    Just joking around, I was hoping my username would make it obvious :)The 300Bs popularity has resulted in more hi-fi designs around it than any other power triode and while it's not my favorite there are a few amps utilizing it I really like (ElectraPrint DRD, Sun Audio, Triode Labs).

    I'm looking forward to comparisons of the new WE 300B vs. the budget king (for me) Genalex 300B and EMLs like you said.
     
  13. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    Lol not like the other DHT SET tubes are that much cheaper.
     
  14. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    AD1 hipster vote here, but if they sound close enough to the vintage stuff that's good news for 300b lovers.
     
  15. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    He probably meant the $20k for NOS. But I'd sleep damn well after selling two tubes for $20k myself. I'm wondering how they're going limit production on the reissues though, and where their prices may head in a few years assuming they don't sound like buttocks.
     
  16. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    NOS WE 300b is a finicky tube, if you don't run it regularly it sounds worse, basically need to be using every other day. When you think about it.. it's costing you a bottle of whisky every hour of use. Personally, I'd rather buy the whisky.
    I also much prefer 2a3 and 45 sound.
     
  17. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    [​IMG]
     
  18. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Leave the 300B. Take the whiskey.
     
  19. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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  20. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Given the way that tube madness has been going lately, buying those 20K NOS tubes and selling them in 10 years would be a pretty risk-free investment.

    They probably take cash, eh?

    [​IMG]
     

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