300b operating specs / reliability...

KR Audio 300BXLS Vacuum Tubes (Matched Duet)$590.00

The 300BXLS The 300BXLS is an ultra-linear, low frequency, high power triode tube capable of producing 15-24 watts of pure class-A power. The 300BXLS may be used in 300B amplifiers, however you will still obtain only 8 watts. Therefore we recommend the 300B for these applications. However, if your amplifier has adjustable bias, the 300BXLS will provide more power. Increasing the plate voltage and current will result in higher power than is obtainable with other 300Bs. Consult your equipment manufacturer before increasing the power of your amplifier.

Technical Data:
Pure Class-A Power (watts) 15-24
Plate Voltage Average (Volts) 450
Plate Voltage Maximum (Volts) 600
Plate Current Average (mA) 100
Plate Current Maximum (mA) 160
Plate Dissipation (watts) 70
Transconductance (mA/V) 70
Grid Voltage -95
Amplification Factor 3.6
THD (%) <0.1
Filament Voltage (volts DC/AC) 5
Filament Current (A) 1.9

seems like there is ample plate dissipation in this puppy! i think this looks like a winner!
 
blakeaudio said:
seems like there is ample plate dissipation in this puppy! i think this looks like a winner!


As long as the filament and grid voltages etc,plus pinouts are identical,then you should have no problems,and they are very robustly specc'd for 300Bs,albeit clones if you like rather than full replicas.
 
the amp:
440VDC effective plate voltage, 90mA idle current and 1.2A heater current
the tube:
Plate Voltage Average (Volts) 450
Plate Voltage Maximum (Volts) 600
Plate Current Average (mA) 100
Plate Current Maximum (mA) 160
Filament Current (A) 1.9
it seems the tube exceeds the requirement of the amp in every way. is it a problem if the amp provides a lower plate current and filament voltage? i thought (though i am certainly no expert...) that these were maximum rating and that the tubes would be better off seeing lower volages / currents? :confused:
 
In general,it shouldn't be a problem,as long as there is sufficient to drive the tube adequately,and it may well be worth emailing VAC with your intentions regarding the tubes,to see what their advice is before buying what will obviously be a fairly expensive set of tubes.
 
Hi,

blakeaudio said:
it's a VAC phi 30/30.

The VAC Amp's run their 300B's SERIOUSLY HARD. Lifespan is rather short. RUn like in the VAC even a WE 300B is only a 2,000 Hour Valve. I would suggest you avoid the VAC Amp's simply for that. You will not note much reduced SPL if you use an Amp that limits itself to only around 18 - 20W from a pair of 300B's but the lifespanm goes up no end, plus certain rather good sounding valves can be used (the TJ Mesh Anode 300B is NOT usable in the VAC). Also, the VAC uses the worst sounding PP Amp circuit (Williamson) and the worst sounding driver/input valve (6SN7) of the commonly found types.

If you get an "open chassis" Amp you can always add a glass hood silimar to WAVAC to make it safe for kittens, puppies and rugrats.

Even better, build your own and build it into a big 19" Case. You can build a stunning sounding Amp (consider a DRD with C3g driver and 300B plus type valve for > 15W SE) for a lot less than the VAC costs and just hide the plain 19" cases away.... ;-)

Ciao T
 
well, bonuses were announced yesterday and the unit that i was after was sold .... yesterday. NOT to me i hasten to add. so this is all a bit academic at the moment. the new price is very high, so i think i will be waiting a while before another used example comes up. i'm not willing to take that first owner depreciation....
 

Latest posts

Back
Top