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300 Watts vs 200 Watts???

#21
How much does each head weigh, and does weight matter to you? Sonically there's not a great difference between 200 and 300 watts (1.5db increase?) but with different types of tubes there might be some sound difference. Also the 300 watt has 6 knobs compared to the other amp's 5 - but I can't read what they are.

For the price, I'd likely go with the 300 watt version, though having fewer power tubes to replace when they start to go bad would be a better thing. And if the 200 weighs a bunch less, I might grab that one instead. Also is this amp mostly for home use or gigging?

Very interesting how cheap these are...
 
#25
ashtray said:
How much does each head weigh, and does weight matter to you? Sonically there's not a great difference between 200 and 300 watts (1.5db increase?) but with different types of tubes there might be some sound difference. Also the 300 watt has 6 knobs compared to the other amp's 5 - but I can't read what they are.

For the price, I'd likely go with the 300 watt version, though having fewer power tubes to replace when they start to go bad would be a better thing. And if the 200 weighs a bunch less, I might grab that one instead. Also is this amp mostly for home use or gigging?

Very interesting how cheap these are...
Click to expand...

Weight doesn't matter to me at all. Right now I play at churches and the occasional local band will ask me to fill in. I never play for venues bigger than 100 people, and most of the bands I've played with aren't very loud. But I play a wide range of styles.. From heavier punk/rock to some jazz and funk!
 
#26
pfschim said:
wouldn't 8 x 6L6's be more like 240w ? I understand that the tubes themselves are not the full picture as far as power ratings go, but I have always generally understood 6L6's to be "30w per tube" ...no?

the amps do look pretty cool though. kinda rustic looking.
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Yeah, 300w seems optimistic. 6 6L6 in my d180 is unsurprisingly rated 180w clean. They are a cheaper tube than kt88.
 
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#29
If you make the plate voltage higher, the valves will produce more - at the expense of limiting there life span exponentially. (too many volts, lifespan = seconds).

I don't know what level they would get to while still having an acceptable lifespan. It may be these 300watt amps need their valves replaced every six months.

The other alternative is is may be 300watts at 10% THD rather than a more normal number like 1%.

For what it's worth, 180watts through 6 6L6gc's have always gotten me more than enough volume for any gig or rehearsal I have been involved with.
 
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#31
pfschim said:
wouldn't 8 x 6L6's be more like 240w ? I understand that the tubes themselves are not the full picture as far as power ratings go, but I have always generally understood 6L6's to be "30w per tube" ...no?

the amps do look pretty cool though. kinda rustic looking.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely no tube amp tech or electrical engineer, but my guess would be the output transformer and what the tubes are set to run at could lower the wattage. Not sure if that's the case or what, but it could account for the lower wattage.
 
#37
$1/tube watt is a bargain. It's a no brainer unless you're looking for an overdriven sound--- I prefer clean with a bit of pre amp over drive.

For guitards, 100w is too much IMHO.
 
#40
If you play with a drummer, you will need the extra 100 watts, call it headroom if you want.
As others have mentioned keep an eye on the weight but there will be situations when you will be glad to have the extra horsepower.
It gives confidence to know you will hear yourself even if it gets loud!
 

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