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In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: Single-stage Melquiades vs. DHT amps
Post Subject: Well, why not?Posted by Paul S on: 11/24/2008
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The problems I've had with small DHTs have had nothing to do with tone, which has been SOTA in some cases, IMO. The cheap-o Wright's 6SN7/2A3 pairing is excellent with respect to tone and even with respect to "authority", within its limits. I preferred old JAN Sylvania "tall boys" for drivers (but...try to find them...) and, believe it or not, new Sovtek 2A3s, at least with A2-capable circuit and 97 dB speakers. Old RCAs are nice, but are also noticably softer.
FWIW, the DHTs I've tried seemed to prefer "correct" tube rectification and regulation; but nothing too fancy, and star-type grounding under careful "stacking" is mandatory.
If power is not an issue, and if a restricted FR is acceptable, why not go 2A3 or - for the greatest clarity/immediacy imaginable - 45? I never got the 45 to work for real bass, but IMO the 2A3 does exceptional bass, within its limits. The 45 depends even more on it's driver, however.
Frankly, a 109 dB MF-only speaker seems like an ideal test bed, provided the driver/speaker has the tonal capability to show what the DHT can do, in the first place.
Again FWIW, I would rate nice small DHT right up with the ML2 with respect to tone. Caveat with respect to other issues, however.
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site