Hmmm...I'm not sure who it was, since it was only Dennis and I the other day with the PSE300B and the KT-170. However, the KT-170 is a powerful, 12 wpc pentode amp. The PSE300b is also about 12 wpc, but is triode. To me the biggest difference is that I'm not a huge fan of the KT-170 tube.

Otherwise, they behave rather like you would expect, except the PSE300b has the punch of a pentode amp with the sweetness of a triode design. The KT-170 amp doesn't have that triode sweetness, but is still a very nice sounding amp. It's also less than a third the cost of the PSE300b...

Hope that helps...

Yes sir, especially the “about” 12 watt output for the 300PSE. And if I’m reading between the lines right, “to have your cake. & eat it too” costs extra.

How much of the cost of the 300PSE is in the WE 300B tubes? Using European tubes should cut the cost about $2K.

The WE tubes are $3000 for a matched quad, with a 5 year warranty. The amp is specifically designed and tweaked around these tubes and their sound. At least right now, Dennis sin't offering the amp without the WE tubes...

The PSE300b may be good up to almost 14 wpb, but in all honesty, I couldn't remember exactly. The 300b-v is good for 7 wpb, but the PSE may be just a hair under double that output. In any case, you wouldn't notice it...If this is mistaken, I'm sure that Dennis will give me the scoop.

Dennis got back to me and said he told you this. Well, lemme just say that I didn't so much as laugh as note that the difference wasn't subtle. Dennis can laugh at stuff like this. I try and learn something.

What I learned is that I REALLY want a PSE300b. But it's too rich for my blood as someone who's trying to retire so he can spend more time at the Toy Shop...:yes:

Looking for a backup driver and rectifier tubes for my 300B-v. Are 6SL7 and 5U4 / 5AR4 the only options?

No. You can run any 6SN7 and I believe also a 6BX7. As for rectifiers, you could try 5R4 and variants, 5Y3G/5Y3, and 5V4G/5V4GA.

Personally, I haven't ever used the 6BX7 myself. The 5AR4 will get you the most juice out of your power supply, but each rectifier will have its own characteristics as well

Thanks, I've got some Sylvania 6SN7 chrome dome tubes that I had tested, they test very good. An RCA CRC-5U4-G VT-244, a 274B with a tube store label on it.

I also have a blue glass CV-181. Is that good for this amp? I think I used it in the Inspire LP-27a preamp I had.

All those tubes should be fine.