300B

The 300B is a directly heated power triode using a four pin base, introduced by Western Electric in 1937 to amplify telephone signals. It measures 6.4 inches high and 2.4 inches wide. It has a 40 watt anode dissipation. In the 1980s the 300B was rediscovered by audiophiles for use in home audio equipment and is known for its high fidelity, low noise and reliability. It is frequently used in single-ended triode (SET) audio amplifiers such as the Cary CAD-1610-SE and the Cayin A-300B.

Due to their rarity and high demand, new old stock (NOS) 300B tubes made by Western Electric from the 1940s–1960s have become collectible items among audio enthusiasts, with price tags in excess of $700 and used tubes selling for over $400.

Current manufacturers of new 300B tubes, and various workalikes include Electro Harmonix, Emission Labs, JJ Electronic, KR Audio, Sophia Electric, Sovtek, Svetlana and Westrex Corporation (which produces a "recreation" of the original Western Electric tube [Tube Depot. [http://www.tubedepot.com/we-300b.html Western Electric 300B] ] ). Prices range from $175 to $900 per matched pair.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.stereophile.com/features/229/index.html Stereophile: In Search of the Perfect 300B Tube]