Comments on Profile Post by caute

  1. caute
    caute
    and wanna build a DIY 2a3 amp with mkiv IST and OPT. don't expect you to actually reply, just wanted to put it out there in the ether and see what comes back lol.
    Feb 24, 2023
  2. Maven86
    Maven86
    My guess is the biggest difference will be the ISTs. IIRC the reg 445 and 2A3 used Hammond iron. I'm guessing the custom 45 uses Monolith amorphous (or nano?) ISTs and the same OPTs in the studio B.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  3. caute
    caute
    I've heard from I think EagleWings that the Hammonds are p good tho, no, warmish?
    Feb 24, 2023
  4. Maven86
    Maven86
    It's been years but I remember liking the 445 I heard. I didn't get the impression that it was warm... More like neutral, fast, and clear.
    Feb 24, 2023
  5. caute
    caute
    if they use the same iron, how different, forgive my naivety, are 45 and 2a3 amps? For some reason, I wanna DIY a 45 amp. But more knowledgable folks have led me to a well-known 2a3 schematic to start with/riff off of
    Feb 24, 2023
  6. Maven86
    Maven86
    It's tough to say. Lots of differing opinions on how much the output tube matters relative to the other design variables (circuit, parts, implementation ect). But IME, even well implemented versions can sound quite different.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  7. Maven86
    Maven86
    If I had to generalize, the best 2A3 examples sound more balanced relative to the 45. Slightly more tonal weight, more laid back, rounder edges, good extension on both ends with some added emphasis on the lower midrange.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  8. Maven86
    Maven86
    45s tended to sound more linear, faster, more forward\dynamic and have better clarity at the expense of some tonal thickness (maybe?). 2A3 is probably the safer bet but I'm heavily biased towards the 45. YMMV
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  9. caute
    caute
    dam you make 45s sound like the TICKET lol, i can deal with some thinness if that's what you get with 45 amps *generally* lol
    Feb 24, 2023
  10. Maven86
    Maven86
    Honestly, if you can audition a few of both, definitely do that. I should also add that I'm in the "implementation matters more" camp. FWIW, I currently have both a 2A3 and 45 amp... and the 45 is sitting on the shelf unused. Context and system synergy matters a lot.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  11. caute
    caute
    just so i'm clear and not making assumptions, what exactly is meant by "implementation"?
    Feb 24, 2023
  12. tommytakis
    tommytakis
    I was fortunate enough to be able to compare both 445 and my mkiv. if you plan on using it for headphones only, I would stick to 445. I prefer 2a3 more for speakers. Regardless of which path though, they're awesome amps
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute and Maven86 like this.
  13. Maven86
    Maven86
    That was vague, I should have clarified. Basically operation parameters like plate voltage, primary impedance of the output transformers, bias methods, whether or not to use feedback (NFB) ect.. These all have a pretty noticeable effect on the overall sound the tube produces.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  14. Maven86
    Maven86
    For example, on my 45 amp, if I set the plate voltage high, it sounds warm, soft, and euphonic in the midrange. At a lower point it will sound neutral and very clear.
    Feb 24, 2023
    caute likes this.
  15. caute
    caute
    whoa these are all super informative datapoints, thank you so much Maven and Tommy!!!
    Feb 24, 2023
    tommytakis and Maven86 like this.