Tube Amps 101 - Top considerations and configurations

Let's talk tube power amplifiers for speakers and headphones! In this video (hopefully part of short series) I'll give an overview of common tube amp typologies and discuss what you should consider when selecting an amp.
Check out my previous tube amp reviews:
• Tube Amps

[@dmartyn3809]

Thanks for this excellent primer, clears away all the confusion surrounding tubes!

[@marcob.7801]

Again, a great "gateway" video! Thanks!

[@thomasvalentine6588]

Have you had any experience listening to Lab12 tube amps? I’d be interested to hear what you think.
Also, what reference speakers do you enjoy with your SET amps?

[@SineCraftAudio]

I have not heard any Lab12 gear. I know their DAC was getting some good attention a year for two ago. Looks like they build a lot of stuff based around the KT-150 which is a tube I'm interested in but have little no experience with.
Main speakers are Heresy IV although I've had a handful of efficient speakers in the past.

[@thomasvalentine6588]

Thanks for responding!
Is the Enleum amp23r your solid state reference?

[@falcogol3451]

very nice and informative.after this series it would be great if you could at some point test tube gear from ampsandsound and feliks audio and compare them to your fav decaware gear.

[@SineCraftAudio]

Thanks! I've reviewed the Bigger Ben from A&S and will have a review of the Agartha before long. th-cam.com/video/G4JdiF3BCrU/w-d-xo.html

[@Omega-hn3py]

Hi, I currently have a schitt folkvangr, which is a warm otl amp. I was interested in a set amp to see how different it would be. How is a 2a3 amp like the dna stratus compared to a 300b amp sounding amp? Can't decide between 300b or 2a3. I mostly use zmf headphones, and they'd probably sound great on either. I'm just wondering your thoughts on that.

[@SineCraftAudio]

Great question. I'll talk more about that in the next video in this series. At a high level the 300b is more powerful so it can drive more things. Not sure about the Caldera but the rest of the ZMF line can be easily driven with 2a3. In my experience the 300b is great at creating a really spacial presentation with forward mids and great clarity. The 2a3 is sweeter and more fluid but still had plenty of detail to offer. You really can't go wrong, just a matter of taste. In either case the implementation of the amp is key to getting the most out of the tube (and making it appropriate for headphone use with a dark background). Great 2a3 tubes a more affordable than great 300b so if you like tube rolling that is also a consideration.

[@olefriesi259]

Try the unison research simply italy

[@chjl1221]

great info for me as a newbie! but what about tube amp/tube types best for dynamic vs planar HPs? in the next video right? thank you!

[@SineCraftAudio]

Great question, thanks! Typology is probably most critical to HP matching but there are some tube specific considerations as well. I'll try and speak to that in the next video in the series.