Do you know the general differences b/w a 2a3 and a 300b tube?
Is it as pricey to roll as a 2a3?
Ive never used 2a3 but Im pretty sure they are both DHTs and should have more similar properties than not. Of course it will depend on the manufacturer.
2a3 can be just as pricey as 300b I believe, neither are tubes that you really roll regularly unless you have multiple sources that use them then it makes sense to own multiple pairs, other wise I would just find a decent brand and stick to it
2 Likes
2A3 will tend to be a bit warmer. Donald North will describe than as having a unique “presence”, the word I tend to use is immediacy, but DHT’s generally tend to have a very natural sound.
2A3 is a less powerful tube as well, but the EC designs aren’t really pushing the limits for power
It’s really hard to generalize for tubes, 300B’s would usually be considered as having some midrange warmth, and being on the warmer side of DHT’s, but that really isn’t the case in the EC amps.
2A3’s are cheaper than 300B’s, but you’re still talking >$500 a pair for good ones, running up to $2000+ a pair, so usually you pick a good pair you know works well with the amp and roll other things.
6 Likes
At this point I seriously doubt my Studio B will see the desk in my office ever again.
I continue to find the versatility, quality, and pure sonic enjoyment of the Eddie Current Studio B a real value to cost champion.
In a 2 channel set-up I used the RCA outputs to go directly to a REL sub via low level input of the sub. I purchased inexpensive neutrik to banana cable adaptors to simplify the speaker cables i could use (whatever sonic loss exists, I’m more than happy to take the hit relative to the ease these converters provide in my particular situation), Laptop > DDC > DAC > Amp > speakers.
About as simple and complete a set-up i can come up with. This would be a complete all in one system for small/medium room 2 channel, HP and even IEM use.
Sound wise, this is just one of those set-ups you have to hear for yourself. It’s complete, and extremely pleasing to me but i have my preferences so I would rather simply speak to the versatility of the unit. All i have to do is move my chair in a bit closer to the rack when i want to use HP’s or IEM’s. I can’t get it to sound bad w/ anything, hell it brings out the best characteristics of everything I seem to pair it with…
I’m so completely sold on DHT & SET amplifiers at this point in time, I can’t get enough of their sound characteristics in my music.
14 Likes
:pokes his head in:
So… Let’s just say, I have a weee bit of interest in some Eddie Current stuff.
Is there a place to learn a little more about each model? Currently I am assuming most models are in the same vein but just improve an aspect or two.
What are some headphones that groove with EC? Im guessing the usual Senns, Utopia, any planars? Lcd-24 etc?
4 Likes
If you know what they are called you can just google them, a lot of owners on SBAF, Purrin is a personal friend of Craig’s.
They turn up so incredibly infrequently used, they aren’t worth worrying about unless there is one specifically you are looking at. They are generally considered to be exceptional for the price.
Craig announced he was going out of business last year (or maybe 2 years ago at this point) and then decided to build the Studio B’s from parts on hand. But they have been so successful he’s done several runs of them, they are the only new EC amp you can buy, there is going to be at least one more run if you act fast, and no guarantees of any after that, @Towa has one.
Sound wise they tend to be on the dry side for tube amps, they’ll drive pretty much anything except hard to drive planars.
6 Likes
Just buy it, seriously you won’t regret it. On the off chance you hate the cost of rolling the tubes and for some weird reason can’t find a headphone you enjoy on it, I guarantee you can sell it in a few weeks. Some folks just need more time than others to get the money together to buy it off you. Not for a lack of desire.
7 Likes
I had a feeling this was going to be SBAF thread type research project.
Yeah it feels like one of those pieces. Either little to no loss on the sale or, i hate to say it as i dont want to treat pieces like this, a collectors item.
2 Likes
are you in the area to be able t pick it up?
1 Like
Anyone here heard the Electra? I have an opportunity to pick up an HE60 (full package plus extra pads/headband/orings) + electra for 4k and I’m tempted given how much I liked the he60 on BHSE but I can’t find any info on the electra besides a HF thread that died in like 2015
1 Like
So it’s been a few weeks now since I got the WE396a in and they are well into 60+ hours of burn in at this point, so i figured I would share my thoughts so far.
I’m just gonna be honest and tell you straight out that the GE are not very good in comparison. The WE are noticeably more detailed sounding and add clarity to the sound, where the GE sounds veiled and hazy with less detail and a thinner sound when switching back. I notice a slightly bigger stage, width and height wise and overall the WE is a fuller sounding tube and injects a bit more warmth into the sound.
I think the WE compliments the EML mesh plates better as well, which could have some bearing on my impressions. The 300b mesh are more solid state sounding as far as 300b goes, with a focus on neutrality with very detailed airy highs and deep well controlled lows paired with the 300b unique presentation and mids. I feel like the fuller warmer nature of the 396a does a way better job of complimenting the mesh plates than the 5670W for a better synergy and balance throughout the tuning.
Overall I’m very pleased with the switch, and it turned out to be a nice upgrade for not a ton of money, the tube depot has more NOS 396a/2c51 in stock, all black plate d getter dated 1958 just like mine. I definitely recommend this as a upgrade to the stock GE.
Next I will be looking at a replacement for the stock rectifier, which is a 5AR4. I’ve been looking at wathen cryotone tubes (https://www.wathenspeakers.com/wathen-cryotonetrade-tubes.html) as a possible choice. Their process is quite interesting to say the least and their claims even more so. It seems a lot of people are starting to catch on, Steve Deckert of Decware swears by them apparently.
10 Likes
Wathen does have them KT77s…
Does anyone have experience and could compare the Studio T vs Studio B…2a3 vs 300b?
No real context in technicalities, the studio t is a significant step ahead. I’ve only heard a 300b B, but tonality wise it’s going to be on the warmer and more relaxed and sweet side of things vs the T (but I’d say on the grand scheme of things it’s still a bit more cleaner and dryer leaning vs other options whereas I’d consider the T pretty almost analytical but not in a bad way). If you found a Studio M that would be voiced more closely to the B than the T is.
5 Likes
That’s really interesting, do you think that’s due to the tubes or the implementation?
The Studio T/M had a bunch of esoteric expensive bits in them, and I don’t know how many of those made it down into the Afficianado/Studio Jr/Studio B.
Like using interstage transformers and the “novel” high frequency AC supply for the DHT heaters.
The big difference between the Studio M and T was the transformers. outside of that they were basically the same, but transformers color sound arguably more than tubes do.
And FWIW I am picking up the Studio T available on head–fi on Sunday, assuming he doesn’t change his mind.
10 Likes
Awesome and congrats! Hope it works out!
Talk to me after I actually have it 
1 Like
Haha congrats man, that’s my dream amp right there lol hopefully by the time I can make the dream a reality they haven’t become even rarer than they are now 
3 Likes
Damn, well congrats on the purchase! You’ll have to let us know your thoughts
1 Like