PorkBun69s Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 Hi All, Just wanted to chime a few words about my latest aquisition - the Time Machine 300B SET integrated from another SNAer. I moved away from my beloved KT88 Tempest and Tune preamp because I felt that the amp was too muscular and wasnt the best fit for the Dallas 2 horns. The was so much power on tap, that I could only crank it up to the 10'clock mark before it became waaayy too loud. With only 9 watts on tap, the Time Machine 300B may not suit current hungry speakers, but pair it up with the right ones, you're certainly in for a treat. Last night after a few hours of listening, I've been shocked in awe of the sound signature of the 300B tube, let alone experiencing SET in my setup. At the moment, I'm using the Audio GD CD7SE transport, Audio GD Dac 3SE, all hooked up to Earle's Dallas 2 Horns with modded Fostex 206e's. At the moment, I'm using bog standard EHX 300B Gold Pin valves, TJ 6SN7's and a NOS Winged =C= Black Plates 5U4G rec. Have to say that the Winged C injected some 'balls' and 'guts' to the lower end without smearing that sublime mids. I was impressed to hear sound from this tube combination, considering that the EHX 300b's are considered to be bog standard. I guess the areas for improvement are better articulated highs and a bigger soundstage. Bass is surprisingly tight, pronounced but well rounded. However, whats more important was that the background was so much more darker that i'm noticing subtle background details from my Cannonball Adderley - Live from the Lighthouse cd. For the first time i could hear the atmosphere of people chatting, drinking whilst CA talks about each song. Not to mention that on some tracks, "Big P", the Jazz bass strings are so well articulated with each pluck and tone. To sum it up, SET works magic with high efficiency full range speakers. I was totally perplexed as to why I didnt embark on to the SET 300B path earlier. I guess this is all part of the 2 channel journey. Ahh.. the dilema now is to save up for *WHICH* 300B tube... or push pull 300b mono's Earle, what can i say, another amazing product thats highly recommended! 1
NT3 Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks for such a good read guess the next step will be which 300B to acquire. Enjoy the cold winter nights listening. Cheers
PorkBun69s Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 NT3..am sitting back with a glass of pinot and listening to some dave brubeck atm.
PorkBun69s Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 Cheers Dirty. Last night was a jazz night listening to some classics, Miles, Coltrane, Brubeck. Rolled the rect and signal tubes just for fun, some Sylvania Chrome Domes but eventually settled with the TJ's for 6SN7's. The regular Winged C's were noticably different, less punch and more rounded from memory. Also the NOS Sylvania 5u4g was more laid back, which was nice on some tracks.
MrBurns84 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 GB, You sneak!! When did you get this? Cant wait to have a listen
Full Range Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Earle is a master craftsman - thats for sure Cant beat quality & most importantly a good ear FR
monaro8 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Well done katattack74, nothing like getting a nice amp that knocks your socks off.... Now the next thing you will start to do, like most of us have in the past, is begin asking yourself... Hmmm??..."I wonder how those 300B's would sound in my amp???" Or those 6SN7's or 5U4G rectifiers??? Time to rock & Roll those tubes.... Maybe you could ask some of the guys for a "loan" of some their highly recommended tubes from their personal collection hey? Let the fun begin.... Cheers & Well Done...Vanch PS: I am in Watsonia and would be happy to loan you some of mine if you like?
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 Earle is a master craftsman - thats for sure Cant beat quality & most importantly a good ear FR Agreed without a doubt. Not to mention the customer support and assistance that goes with it
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 Well done katattack74,nothing like getting a nice amp that knocks your socks off.... Now the next thing you will start to do, like most of us have in the past, is begin asking yourself... Hmmm??..."I wonder how those 300B's would sound in my amp???" Or those 6SN7's or 5U4G rectifiers??? Time to rock & Roll those tubes.... Maybe you could ask some of the guys for a "loan" of some their highly recommended tubes from their personal collection hey? Let the fun begin.... Cheers & Well Done...Vanch PS: I am in Watsonia and would be happy to loan you some of mine if you like? Cheers Vanch. Atm still getting used to the 300B sound but will definately go down that path soon.
valvelover Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Congrats, sounds like an awesome setup. Dave PS I didn't know Earle made horns!?!?!
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) Congrats, sounds like an awesome setup.Dave PS I didn't know Earle made horns!?!?! Cheers Dave. Those Dallas 2 horns are from here: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php/33492-F.S.-Horn-speakers.-Fostex-Dallas-II-Tang-Band-Buschhorn Edited July 14, 2011 by katattack74
valvelover Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Cheers Dave. Those Dallas 2 hors are from here: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php/33492-F.S.-Horn-speakers.-Fostex-Dallas-II-Tang-Band-Buschhorn Ah yes, now I remember now. And how I was sad that I was no where near where Earle is and thus could not really consider buying them well, at least they went to a SNAer Dave
Ahh- Schnoo Schnoo Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Hey GB Glad you're happy with the change Better synergy equals an upgrade I'm making use of the Tune, 'problem' recordings eg early Black Crowes have never sounded better.....very, very happy with the Tune/Tempest combo. Distorted guitar sure sounds better driven by valves. Rock fans should also be on the phone to Earle. It was good to meet you GB. Thanks for a cruisy transaction. Cheers
monaro8 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 This is another "happy" story..beats listening to the news. And unlike some of the other threads we have had, I feel a lot of Love:love in this thread. I think I will stay here and not go to other threads. Yes... That's what I'll do... Vanch...
Full Range Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 This is another "happy" story..beats listening to the news.And unlike some of the other threads we have had, I feel a lot of Love:love in this thread. I think I will stay here and not go to other threads. Yes... That's what I'll do... Vanch... I will join you Vanch Now we need Earle to join FR
Jake Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Love a happy story Any pics of the setup? Actually, I wish I didn't read threads like this when I am contemplating a new amp
Guest Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 I'm here, just lurkin [ATTACH=CONFIG]34142[/ATTACH] Nice looking amp Earle ,I still don't know why people buy tube amps from oversea's when they can beauties like yours with hand wound iron great service and an upgrade path to something custom made . Cheers 1
ehtcom Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 I have to fess up 56, the above amp may have had a little photoshop work
dirty Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 And here I am watching a show on plastic surgery. dirty.
Guest Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 I have to fess up 56, the above amp may have had a little photoshop work :ban:naughty Earle and I thought you were going to get dual power supplys happening:) . Cheers
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) I'm here, just lurkin [ATTACH=CONFIG]34142[/ATTACH] AAHHHHHH....(shaking fists!).. You teaser Earle Edited July 14, 2011 by katattack74
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 Hey GBGlad you're happy with the change Better synergy equals an upgrade I'm making use of the Tune, 'problem' recordings eg early Black Crowes have never sounded better.....very, very happy with the Tune/Tempest combo. Distorted guitar sure sounds better driven by valves. Rock fans should also be on the phone to Earle. It was good to meet you GB. Thanks for a cruisy transaction. Cheers Thanks Schnoo and likewise, it was great to meet with another SNA'er. Glad to hear that all is well with the purchase. If i had power hungry speaker or less sensitive ones, i think the Tune/Tempest combo would have been fantastic. Let us know how those KT120's go with the Tempest.
PorkBun69s Posted July 14, 2011 Author Posted July 14, 2011 Ah yes, now I remember now. And how I was sad that I was no where near where Earle is and thus could not really consider buying them well, at least they went to a SNAer Dave Thanks Dave. I've got a simple setup but it fits the listening area well. The Dallas 2's are crying out for a larger area but for the time being, i'm quite content with them.
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