If you want to add speed and incisiveness to play to the strengths of planars my recommendation would be to start with rectifiers that have the lowest possible voltage drop. 5AR4 and GZ33/37 would be good starting points, then you can work your way out from there finding a driver whose tone and presentation matches what you're looking for.
What brands of those would you recommend?
The GZ33 and 37 haven't been reproduced to my knowledge so you would have to look for NOS Mullards there. There are many 5AR4 options both new and old. JJ makes one that's very inexpensive that would be an easy low-risk way of finding out if you like what a 5AR4 does to the sound of your system.
Success story.Once upon a time there was a tube amp manufacturer called Leo Research and the designer has since retired in Singapore. From having a factory in his younger days, he now manages a quaint audio shop and provides tube amp repair/modification as a hobby. I asked if he had a 300b amp that can have enough power for a Susvara and also a speaker out.He offered that he could add a proper headphone output to one of his amps of his own design. It sounds amazing with both my ZMFs and Susvara. He also tweaked it so that it performs optimally with this NGG Guiguang 300b. Not very popular but it sounds so good!
That's a beauty. What does it use for rectifier?
Thanks. My guess is a solid state rectifier, something like the Feliks Envy. They both use the exact tubes and share a very similar footprint.
Thanks, I wouldn’t know how much better because I have not heard the big names (Riviera, Woo Wa23, Envy, etc) but I can say it sounds better than the Cayin Ha-300b which I almost bought if not for the size.
I wish there were people like him here in Ireland. No chance of me coming in contact with anyone like that unfortunately ..... I'll have to stick to the forums
Yes, this is the gem of the hobby. Getting a master to make the amp. Similar story to your master, my guy is in his 70s and retired. Good you didn't get the Cayin
it's better to have a original item.
I have the E.A.Ts but haven’t used them since I got the WE & Elrogs.(about 6 months now) I do remember some pretty strong ringing with them and have been meaning to get some dampers to try with them but haven’t gotten around to it. I’ll try and give them a listen when I can and see what differences I hear now that I’ve had other 300bs.
, guess we are all part of them.
