switched from sophia electric 300b 2.5 to a 45 tube

[howardnair]

the title says it all---the 45's are a pair of sylvania tubes that were used i bought on ebay--i am very impressed--comparing the 300b's with shuguang 2a3c and the sovteks-i preferred the 300b but this is different --so far - i really like what i hear--  first impressions are!! at the moment the 300b can go back in the box-

[Grainger49]

Paully has changed his system from 300B to 2A3 and 45 several times.  I think, and he agrees, that the 45s are the most magical of the three tubes.  He has 100+dBW speakers and it fills the large room his system is in.

I think you need to change the cathode resistors to get the 45 in the sweet spot.  Paully was swapping tubes in his Paramounts.  It is very possible you are OK with the Stereomour.

Paully will probably post too with more detailed impressions.

[Dr. Toobz]

I'm still in the "waiting period" for my Stereomour kit (ordered about 7 weeks ago), but keep eyeing 45 tubes for the same reasons the OP has cited: everything I read from other tube geeks  is very consistent with the observation that 45's have something that no 2A3 or 300B tube has. In fact, I've yet to see somebody prefer the 2A3 over a 45 in the same amp. That says something! Perhaps I will build my Stereomour as a SE45 amp and keep the stock 2A3's as spares.....

More impressions would be greatly appreciated. Is the "magic" of the 45 quantifiable or describable?

[Paully]

I have had some interesting results.  I think the 2a3 was not my cup of tea.  I really have enjoyed the 45 tubes, but that is also with some all nickel magnequestcity iron.  Truth be told, I really loved the bloom and sound of my Shuguang 300Bs as well.  I could easily live with either.  Most people who love the 45 seem to rank the tubes 45 2a3 and then 300B last.  But my experience was different.

[howardnair]

dr toobz--i am somewhat silent concerning describable or quantitive at the moment-i will listen a while before i open my mouth-
paully!--what would you have to say to dr toobz -

ahhh!!! but i am considering the sophia 45 tube--or maybe i should be happy with the sylvania's--i am unable to leave well enough alone--but!! -having said that- i have yet to use anything but the stereomour in my main system-i would not mind a pair of paramour II's

[Jim R.]

Hi Angelo,

Well actually... I did prefer the 2a3 in my Fi 2a3 monoblocks when I had them -- even with the rectifier change for the 45, but then again, the amp was designed for the 2a3.

Also, I'm guessing that since you didn't care ver much for what the C4S did for the s.e.x. amp that you may indeed prefer a 2a3 over a 45.

I recall you saying in the past that you prefer a more "romantic" presentation, and if that's still true, you're probably going to like the 2a3... especially with the Heresey IIIs.  Just a guess, and only you can decide, but if I were you I'dd certainly give the 2a3 a good workout before spending the money for a good pair of 45s.

HTH,

Jim