[Xecuter]

They have relatively similar topographys, however they are designed to sound very different.
 
I've never heard either, but it looks like Craig went with a traditional warm tube sound with the 445 and went for more of a 'solid state' sound with the 2a3. The 2a3 seems to be more powerful and better with a range of cans.
 
As I said I can't comment because I haven't heard them either. But just because too products do the same thing and cost the same doesn't mean they are the same..

 

[Hun7er]

From the review it seems that the 2a3 are more tubey than the 445

 

[Xecuter]

You're right, I just read that the 445 is a bit leaner and brighter generally. Hard to compare since there are probably less than a dozen 445s and 2a3s out there.

 

[purrin]

Some say that is reflective of the tubes' reputations. In general, 45s have always been known to be on the leaner or trebly side (but with better bass articulation) compared to the 2A3.
 
I would like Craig to bring back the 2A3x4 amp though. Much better tube selection.

 

[GalaxyGuy]

  I would like Craig to bring back the 2A3x4 amp though. Much better tube selection.

Is this amp out of production already?  It's listed on his site.

 

[purrin]

Last I checked, like yesterday, he wasn't making them.

 

[Hun7er]

@Purrin : you talk about mixing power tubes. Can I run my 2A3x4 at each channel EML2a3+RCA2A3 ?

 

[Frihed89]

I would just say that the 45 is a more truthful tube than are most 2A3 tubes, which tend to have a warmer, rounder sound.  I'm not a big fan of paralleling these tubes, although that makes the 45, especially, more speaker-friendly.  I own an pair of monoblocks that will play both tubes and, while I have AVVT meshplate 2A3s, I prefer using EML hard plate 45s. But it is sure nice to have an amp that will play both tubes, even if the set-up isn't perfectly optimal.  I would love to have a 45 headamp, but with just 1 tube per channel...if i didn't have so much other stuff.

 

[bmichels]

103 db/w !   .... should be enough for the limited 3w / 6w output of the 2A3 ?  
 
Any other HIGH-EFFICIENCY speakers recommended for the 2A3 or 445 ? 
 
teresonic integrum: 
 



 

 

[henryxiao]

I'm in dilemma to choose between 2a3 mkiv and 445.........

 

[GalaxyGuy]

 

I'm in dilemma to choose between 2a3 mkiv and 445.........

I don't think you can go wrong either way!  I was listening to my 2a3 last night with TH900s and even after listening to the amp almost every day for 10 months it still completely blows me away with how good it sounds.  

 

[purrin]

 

I'm in dilemma to choose between 2a3 mkiv and 445.........

 
The 2A3mk4, which I believe is back in production (with better OPTs), is warmer sounding with more up-front bass than 4-45. Other than that, there is a lot more selection of 2A3mk4 tubes. The Psvane replica series are a new production tube that actually pulls off the sound of vintage tubes. The EMLs are really nice too. And there is a lot of good old stock for cheap. If you use brighter headphones, 2A3mk4 is probably a better way to go.

 

[zerodeefex]

 
:atsmile: I'm in dilemma to choose between 2a3 mkiv and 445.........:confused_face_2:

The 2A3mk4, which I believe is back in production (with better OPTs), is warmer sounding with more up-front bass than 4-45. Other than that, there is a lot more selection of 2A3mk4 tubes. The Psvane replica series are a new production tube that actually pulls off the sound of vintage tubes. The EMLs are really nice too. And there is a lot of good old stock for cheap. If you use brighter headphones, 2A3mk4 is probably a better way to go.

How does it compare to the old MK4? Is this the new demigod amp?

 

[henryxiao]

Thank you GalaxyGuy and purrin !!!  

 

[purrin]

How does it compare to the old MK4? Is this the new demigod amp?

 
I haven't had a chance to directly compare them directly, but from memory, I think the new 2A3x4 may (take with huge salt grains) edge out the 4-45 in terms of clarity in mids and has a more effortless presentation. Probably because of more power and also because the 2A3's lower plate resistance, which means less wire in the OPT primaries. 4-45 may sound a bit more textured in bass, but that may be because 2A3 has a more bassy organic sound. Not totally sure.