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I am pleased with my F8 Magus on the DIY bass-reflex cabinet specified in the Cube Audio website. I built it in preparation for a planned 300B amplifier (Tektron), but the 2A3 was my favorite and your video might tip the scale back to 2A3.
Enjoyed the test, I liked Psvane T2 classic 2a3 among them all, has detail and frequency extension alltogether, good timbre. The sense of power and dynamic sound is close to Emission Mesh but more coherent. Thanks the efford, I gived one like but deserves more.
I'm using the 2A3's with the Devore 0/96 speakers (sensitivity 96DB/watt). A perfect solution if you don't like horns or single-driver designs. It's hard to believe how loud 3.5 watts can get with the right speaker! (300b's put out twice the output of 2A3's if you need more juice.) I spoke with some tube aficionados and they concur that 2A3's have lower distortion and wider frequency response than comparable 300b's. Not a big difference, but measurable. Note that 2A3's were originally designed for the audio sections of radio sets so sound quality was important, while 300b's were designed to amplify speech over long-distance telephone lines, so long service life was important (the Western Electric 300b's had a service life of 40,000 hours) which accounts for their difference in performance.
Paul Klipsch used 2A3s in a Brooks amp I believe. I know you put a ton of effort into producing this review, unfortunately I’m using an iPad and the difference I might be hearing are more likely to be my “source”. I’ve found to truly recognize and appreciate differences one has to be sitting in your room, unless this video is in Redbook or better format then I’ll trying using my home system. I’ve found the 2A3 to be an excellent tube, but you need at least 100 dB efficiency speakers, and using a full range speaker gets the crossover out of the way, which means all what 3 watts gets to the voice coil. There is something to be said about a full range speaker, that sometimes defies words that multi way speakers have a very difficult time achieving even though full range speakers have limited bass and usually the highs and they can’t move large amounts of air or play at live levels, but they have insight to the nuances of the music. Thank you for all this effort to educate people about the sound of tube rolling.
Thank you for your comment. That gives a very good perspective. The changes in tubes aren't as apparent as changing speakers or amps, so on a way it also shows that it's a cherry on top kind of change and not the vanilla / chocolate one ;) if you like listening to videos like this, I can recommend getting in-ear monitors. I use Shure Se-215 for the videos and editing them and you can clearly hear the differences. Have a great day
I'm sorry, I can't make a true distinction this way. I know you've put a lot of work and effort in making this video, but there is no true comparison in continous, sequential listening, especially with so subtle differences. My "gut" choice is between EM labs 300B mesh and KR 2A3, rather towards the first, but I don't know why and I may be mistaken and this frustrates me. Anyway, one thumb up, for the effort and treat.
I agree that is very hard to judge as tube changes and differences shift with different musical passages... Sounds very impress when the violin comes in in the first song.
Yes.... a repetitive section of music would help me. Say guitar with all the tubes, then piano run through all the tubes, then voice etc. Or maybe I need more practice Still a good video.
Great video and thanks for your efforts! Initially I thought JJ, but then settled on Psvane. I'd be curious to add the Psvane ACME version to this test as I believe it is now Psvane's ultimate version?
Thanks for sharing! I did not have ACME ones at hand, but my friends has the Acmes so maybe when I visit him I'll have a chance to record how they sound.
My conclusion is that every tube has some benefits, but I did really like the PSVane ones and mesh plates were also really good. I'd say there are some differences but it's not night and day and if you really need to change the sound change the speakers or the amp and tubes are cherry on top ;)
I was really hoping for some listening notes, comparing bass mids treble etc. Listening to recording on youtube is like trying to lick icecream through a glass window :(
thanks for the feedback. in my most recent videos I share some of the feedback, but I would like the channel to be more concentrated on the recordings anyway ;)
@@VirtualHiFi Thanks for replying. The problem is that in the recording process, mics, cabling etc are not neutral and it's hard or almost impossible to capture the spatial presentation of tubes, or even basic things like correct FR and dynamics. Then it gets mangled by absolutely horrible youtube compression. And then mangled and coloured again by the playback device. So for entertainment value this is fine I guess, but it's very hard to gather any specific info about a piece of gear from this format alone. And comparison of a bunch of 2A3 is something trully special! :) would be an invaluable resource for many. I'm looking for feedback on KR 2A3s, the best ones I've had are Psvane WR2A3 and JJ 2A3-40. Both have neutral or cold off neutral presentation with very good detail and great bass in my system. From the recording I have no way of telling if KRs have strong bass and dynamics, for example, and this is critical for me. Im after great spatial presentation, plankton and strong dynamic bass. Do you recall how KRs sounded to you in this test please?
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I kinda agree, the difference is there but going for very exotic and expensive tubes might not be the best way to spend money ;)
Jaki jest sens osluchiwania i porownywania przez youtube! Mysle, ze bardziej wartosciowe byloby omowienie roznic i przedstawienie opini odnosnie jakosc dzwieku, ceny lamp, dostepnosci itd.
@@danbuffington75I used the Polish language because the VirtualHiFI channel/owner is from Poland. My question is clear and valuable for other users. I can create my review about the 2A3 as I am the owner of an amplifier driven by four 2A3 tubes. However, if someone is creating a video titled "Which 2A3 Tube Is The Best?" I expect an answer to that question, not a long stream low res sound, plus marketing for Qualio IQ, Cube Drivers, etc.
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE 😄👍
Amazing Op Amps - virtualhifi.com/products/supersonic-v1-op-amp
For stunning revolutionary 3-way speakers visit - qualioaudio.com
2A3 and 300b are my favourites. Lovely tubes
Thanks for sharing :)
I am pleased with my F8 Magus on the DIY bass-reflex cabinet specified in the Cube Audio website. I built it in preparation for a planned 300B amplifier (Tektron), but the 2A3 was my favorite and your video might tip the scale back to 2A3.
Enjoyed the test, I liked Psvane T2 classic 2a3 among them all, has detail and frequency extension alltogether, good timbre. The sense of power and dynamic sound is close to Emission Mesh but more coherent. Thanks the efford, I gived one like but deserves more.
I'm using the 2A3's with the Devore 0/96 speakers (sensitivity 96DB/watt). A perfect solution if you don't like horns or single-driver designs. It's hard to believe how loud 3.5 watts can get with the right speaker! (300b's put out twice the output of 2A3's if you need more juice.) I spoke with some tube aficionados and they concur that 2A3's have lower distortion and wider frequency response than comparable 300b's. Not a big difference, but measurable. Note that 2A3's were originally designed for the audio sections of radio sets so sound quality was important, while 300b's were designed to amplify speech over long-distance telephone lines, so long service life was important (the Western Electric 300b's had a service life of 40,000 hours) which accounts for their difference in performance.
Pure enjoyment sound and music piece as well 10/10 !
I really enjoyed 2a3 psvane ps we and emission labs 300b.
Paul Klipsch used 2A3s in a Brooks amp I believe. I know you put a ton of effort into producing this review, unfortunately I’m using an iPad and the difference I might be hearing are more likely to be my “source”. I’ve found to truly recognize and appreciate differences one has to be sitting in your room, unless this video is in Redbook or better format then I’ll trying using my home system. I’ve found the 2A3 to be an excellent tube, but you need at least 100 dB efficiency speakers, and using a full range speaker gets the crossover out of the way, which means all what 3 watts gets to the voice coil. There is something to be said about a full range speaker, that sometimes defies words that multi way speakers have a very difficult time achieving even though full range speakers have limited bass and usually the highs and they can’t move large amounts of air or play at live levels, but they have insight to the nuances of the music. Thank you for all this effort to educate people about the sound of tube rolling.
Thank you for your comment. That gives a very good perspective. The changes in tubes aren't as apparent as changing speakers or amps, so on a way it also shows that it's a cherry on top kind of change and not the vanilla / chocolate one ;) if you like listening to videos like this, I can recommend getting in-ear monitors. I use Shure Se-215 for the videos and editing them and you can clearly hear the differences.
Have a great day
I'm sorry, I can't make a true distinction this way. I know you've put a lot of work and effort in making this video, but there is no true comparison in continous, sequential listening, especially with so subtle differences. My "gut" choice is between EM labs 300B mesh and KR 2A3, rather towards the first, but I don't know why and I may be mistaken and this frustrates me. Anyway, one thumb up, for the effort and treat.
I agree that is very hard to judge as tube changes and differences shift with different musical passages... Sounds very impress when the violin comes in in the first song.
Yes.... a repetitive section of music would help me. Say guitar with all the tubes, then piano run through all the tubes, then voice etc. Or maybe I need more practice Still a good video.
Great video and thanks for your efforts! Initially I thought JJ, but then settled on Psvane. I'd be curious to add the Psvane ACME version to this test as I believe it is now Psvane's ultimate version?
Thanks for sharing!
I did not have ACME ones at hand, but my friends has the Acmes so maybe when I visit him I'll have a chance to record how they sound.
i know everyones taste is different, but it would be nice to hear your conclusion for the test.
My conclusion is that every tube has some benefits, but I did really like the PSVane ones and mesh plates were also really good. I'd say there are some differences but it's not night and day and if you really need to change the sound change the speakers or the amp and tubes are cherry on top ;)
I was really hoping for some listening notes, comparing bass mids treble etc. Listening to recording on youtube is like trying to lick icecream through a glass window :(
thanks for the feedback. in my most recent videos I share some of the feedback, but I would like the channel to be more concentrated on the recordings anyway ;)
@@VirtualHiFi Thanks for replying.
The problem is that in the recording process, mics, cabling etc are not neutral and it's hard or almost impossible to capture the spatial presentation of tubes, or even basic things like correct FR and dynamics.
Then it gets mangled by absolutely horrible youtube compression.
And then mangled and coloured again by the playback device.
So for entertainment value this is fine I guess, but it's very hard to gather any specific info about a piece of gear from this format alone. And comparison of a bunch of 2A3 is something trully special! :) would be an invaluable resource for many.
I'm looking for feedback on KR 2A3s, the best ones I've had are Psvane WR2A3 and JJ 2A3-40. Both have neutral or cold off neutral presentation with very good detail and great bass in my system. From the recording I have no way of telling if KRs have strong bass and dynamics, for example, and this is critical for me. Im after great spatial presentation, plankton and strong dynamic bass. Do you recall how KRs sounded to you in this test please?
Psvane 2a3. Thé best more coherent
Thank you very much for the feedback ;)
Thanks
Welcome 🤗
couldn't hear any differences unfortunately
Sorry to hear that. Did you use headphones ?
@@VirtualHiFi yes - wireless
clearly too subtle to matter
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I kinda agree, the difference is there but going for very exotic and expensive tubes might not be the best way to spend money ;)
Jaki jest sens osluchiwania i porownywania przez youtube! Mysle, ze bardziej wartosciowe byloby omowienie roznic i przedstawienie opini odnosnie jakosc dzwieku, ceny lamp, dostepnosci itd.
You should do that on your channel.
@@danbuffington75I used the Polish language because the VirtualHiFI channel/owner is from Poland. My question is clear and valuable for other users.
I can create my review about the 2A3 as I am the owner of an amplifier driven by four 2A3 tubes. However, if someone is creating a video titled "Which 2A3 Tube Is The Best?" I expect an answer to that question, not a long stream low res sound, plus marketing for Qualio IQ, Cube Drivers, etc.
Standard 2A3 uses 5 volt filament ?????????????????????????????????????????????? WTF
no standard 300b has 5V ;) ant those are specially adjusted to work with 2.5 v
300B 5V
2A3 2.5V@@VirtualHiFi
Yes but some 300B can work on 2.5 Volts like those in the video ;)