45 tubes in my amp

[prem]

Santhosh was kind enough to send his 45 Kenrad tubes for me to check out how it sounds on my system.

Since a few people wanted to know how the 45 sounds in my amp, i decided to start this thread.

To my ears the 2A3 in my system sounds superior. The 2A3 sounds more musical and is richer sounding. There is a certain emotional connect. While the 45s sounded a wee bit more extended on the extremes, the mids were sounding dry.

In terms of detail retrieval, both were pretty much at the same level. Staging was the same.

When it came to dynamics, i preferred the 2A3. This was probably because of the higher output. On a more efficient system, this might get neutralised.

These differences apart, the 2A3 seemed to play the music as a whole whereas the 45 seemed to play it as parts. That's probably the best way i could describe the performance of the 2 tubes

But again these things are very system dependent. So i would suggest go by what sounds good in your system.

 

[iaudio]

Prem, Thanks for posting your impressions on the same. This was a comparison/ experiment which was eagerly awaited.
The best part is you can have both! Just switch when you want

 

[ranjeetrain]

Prem, thanks for sharing your impression of the tube.

I have a question if I may. The 45 tubes were in regular use when Santhosh sent them over to you, or had they remained unused for a long time?

I don't have anywhere as much experience with tubes as you, but I have a feeling the 45s might sound a wee bit better after some use (like 50 hours or so) if they had been stored or were new.

 

[prem]

Hi Ranjeetrain

Santhosh is best geared to answer your question. I am sure the 45 tubes will improve a wee bit over time but as far as my listening tastes go, i would still give the nod to the 2A3s.

Hi Iaudio

For me the Kenrad 45s is not an option. I would stick to the 2A3s. Anyways i am more a plug and play type. I take a lot of time to finalise my configuration but once i am done with it, i do not like to tinker with it. Maybe the balloon shaped 45s are a different animal.

 

[GeorgeO]

Having owned an amp with 2A3s for many years, I also found their sound to be very good. I havent owned an amp with 45s(my amp could easily have been wired up for them), but I never was tempted to try them out.

 

[corElement]

I had a hunch you would like the 2a3 over the 45's. The lyrita 2a3's expression is quite something. I loved it.

 

[iaudio]

Yep, no two ways about it! There is a level of involvement, emotional connect with it that is unparalleled. This I realised when I heard it at Rajiv's with the Altecs. But yes, you need to have the right speakers to pair with them. If you get that match, then I guess there is no dearth of detail or dynamics!

 

[prem]

Hi iaudio

I also feel the Lowthers benefit from the richness of a 2A3 tube. On the other hand a Zu speaker might benefit from a 45 tube. Its all about synergy. Also i feel a 45 tube needs at least a 100db efficient speaker. The Rethms are about 98.

 

[iaudio]

Prem,
I have not heard the Saadhnas but from what I heard with the Maargas they are not very sugary, syrupy ( sorry, I am not able to convey it better)when it comes to mids. Its a more neutral, detailed presentation rather than warm.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

[prem]

Yes Iaudio, the Rethms are fairly neutral but the Lowthers are inherently lean sounding. One cannot escape from that. So it benefits from the 2A3 tube. The Maargas use Jacobs newer driver which are richer in mids as compared to the Lowthers. So cannot say which will be better, the 2A3 or the 45. But if its less than 100db efficient, i would stick to the 2A3s. In fact Jacob feels his speakers need at least 10-12 watts of SET power to sound best.

 

[Hiten]

Prem,
Sorry a little offtopic. Any update on turntables from Rethm ? Curious about the drive system they would be making.
Regards

 

[prem]

No Hiten. No updates on their table.

 

[santhosh]

Santhosh was kind enough to send his 45 Kenrad tubes for me to check out how it sounds on my system.

Since a few people wanted to know how the 45 sounds in my amp, i decided to start this thread.
............

But again these things are very system dependent. So i would suggest go by what sounds good in your system.

Thanks Prem for trying the tubes in your system and sharing your thoughts. Your listening impressions have been very helpful for me understand my system and the tubes in question better.

Yes Prem, you are right. The RCA 45 Cunninghams will sound even better. Stevieboy has a pair of those, very nice sounding tubes.

I have a question if I may. The 45 tubes were in regular use when Santhosh sent them over to you, or had they remained unused for a long time?

Hi Ranjeet,
These 45 tubes were NOS when I bought them, they had not been played for over 60+ years. But they had around 30 hours on them before I sent them to Prem.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Hi Ranjeet,
These 45 tubes were NOS when I bought them, they had not been played for over 60+ years. But they had around 30 hours on them before I sent them to Prem.

You mean new wine in old bottle

The tubes will definitely open up a little bit with use. Though 30 hours sounds decent. How did it do in your system? May be it will work better in your setup than in Prem's. You never know!

 

[santhosh]

You mean new wine in old bottle

The tubes will definitely open up a little bit with use. Though 30 hours sounds decent. How did it do in your system? May be it will work better in your setup than in Prem's. You never know!

Old wine in old bottle .

My speakers by spec are ~104dB sensitive, though my incomplete crossover is resulting in drop in some efficiency. In my system, I prefer the 45 tubes and so did fellow members who listened to both.

About the difference, it has been discussed on this thread below:
http://www.hifivision.com/diy/25387-my-diy-altec-lansing-a7-voice-theater-17.html

 

[stevieboy]

Good to hear your impressions Prem. As you say, if your speakers are lean then the 2A3s wet rich sound would be a better fit.

Regards

 

[iaudio]

Prem,
Sorry a little offtopic. Any update on turntables from Rethm ? Curious about the drive system they would be making.
Regards

It was lying in an unfinished state when I last visited Rethm. Mr.Jacob George cited that he hadnt been able to devote enough time and resources to the completion of the turn table.