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Speaker choice for single ended 300B


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I am in Love.

Earle's Time Machine 300B is simply exquisite. 

But getting speakers that suits me, the room (6*4), and the TM isn't easy. 

 

I like Paul's HE2. 

But there is nothing wrong with asking. :)

 

What I know so far is that I need something very efficient (95db+), refined/ detailed, and a touch warm. 

 

Shortlist so far: WLM monitor, Zu Audio superfly, and Omega XRS.

Looking to spend around that region. 

 

But, I have heard great things about vintage Tannoys full range. Tho, I do not know where to start. 

Does the TM have enough power? Where to demo them (with my amp)? Who can service them (refresh cabinet, refoam surrounds, etc)? 

Edited by holliswhy
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I am in Love.

Earle's Time Machine 300B is simply exquisite. 

...

What I know so far is that I need something very efficient (95db+), refined/ detailed, and a touch warm. 

...

But, I have heard great things about vintage Tannoys full range. Tho, I do not know where to start. 

 

Anything over 90db/1W will work - if it's genuine (no 90db/2,83v nonsense ) and if the impendence curve is sane.   Even VAF DC-X should work (but I've not heard that combination nor reports on the same)

 

Full range is a the top hat to your tails, so to speak, with horn loaded Lowthers being the "classic" match.

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If you are DIY oriented then you might want to have a look at these two designs from Troels Gravesen.

 

Both are designed by Troels specifically for high efficiency (95db) so they can be driven by low powered valve amplification ... SET's etc.

 

TQWT

 

DTQWT

 

I have built the DTQWT and they are a sensational speaker.

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Thanks guys. Has anyone compared tannoy gold in an original can, like Devon to the newer full range speakers listed above. I have done my fair share of google without much luck. They seem to be different philosophies.

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Edited by holliswhy
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I have a very expensive DIY SE 300B which I put together a few years back. I find it drives medium efficiency DIY 2-way speakers without any problems. But any speaker with an efficiency of 90db should play quite well and loud enough.

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I have one of the first time machines ever built

It's SET

The prototype TMs were all first trialed on my system so there might just be a slight "sweet spot" for the speakers in that system: Tannoy dual concentric Turnberry's

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I have one of the first time machines ever built

It's SET

The prototype TMs were all first trialed on my system so there might just be a slight "sweet spot" for the speakers in that system: Tannoy dual concentric Turnberry's

 

Tell me more! :) 

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For a number of years I was using Cabasse Farella 400 speakers with 300B SET's  . Very nice combo but I could find the limits pretty easy on certain types of music . 

 

I've heard Earles 300B's with the Troels Gravesen.speakers and I have heard Pauls HE2 speakers . I would go the HE2 add a sub or 2 and thro some money at room room treatments .

 

I'll be using Paul's PSE-144 with my 300B SET's .

 

Pat from WarAudio also would have a couple designs to suit as well . 

 

 But it will all come down to budget and room constraints with what ever you choose . 

 

Cheers

Edited by Malcolm
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Turnberry's have 91db sensitivity Time Machine handles them with ease

Drives speakers down to about 85 db well (havent extensively tested so can't give you a cut off minimum db efficiency)

Not sure what more you need to know?

ask questions ;)

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I want to know how vintage tannoys compare to modern speakers like WLM, Zus, and omegas.

Even versus the likes of hi end bookshelves like focal utopia, and Dynaudio c1.

I was very impressed by the focal utopia micro, they sounded huge, and have "depth", ie the vocalist stood in front of the double bass player. First time I have heard that :)

Also, what their sound signature is like, how well they disappear, very importantly who in Melbourne can service them (refoam, crossovers, caps and cabs).

;)

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Does the TM have enough power?

 

 

It is just impossible to say without knowing how much loud you want.

 

.... and what type of program material you have  (how sensitive will it be to clipped peaks)

 

 

If you listen quietly, and don't mind peaks above 99dB/1m clipped.... then a 90dB/2.83v speaker might work

 

.... although if you want unclipped reference level (105dB) in the listening position, then you will need a speaker with well over 100dB/2.83v output....  assuming that your amplifier can make 8w without distortion  (you might find significantly less depending on the circuit).

 

 

 

This type of amplifier is affected by the speaker attached ....  so unless it has a fairly flat electrical impedance (and impedance phase), then you will find the sound is 'different'  (you will have peaks in the frequency response where there is a peak in the electrical impedance). 

 

.... single 'full range' drivers which have drooping bass and treble frequency response  (but a rising electrical impedance in the bass and treble) and be nicely compensated by such an amplifier (for a flat response).

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With iPhone decibel meter, apparently it's +-2 db (tho doesn't extend below 500hz), the average is 80db with peaks at 93 or so. So I am guessing anything around 90db should work. My concern, I guess, is more to do with the sound signature, ie, is it refined enough, compared to modern bookshelves? If kit, how far?

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I have Earle's 300B Touchstone mono blocks with Zu Druids and the system has integrated very well. I have fine tuned the cables and with the PS Audio DSD now starting to come into its own the synergy is quite sublime. Well it sounds pretty good to my ears with the music that I pump through it.  ;)

Cheers,

steve

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I think you need more like 15 watts for the vintage Tannoys.

If your 300B amp is single ended it would be more like 6 watts.

8 ohm speakers would also be best.

The Audionote speakers might suit.Or some of the vintage Japanese three ways.

Other than that horn loaded full range driver types might be best.

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The HE2s sounded convincingly engaging when paired with one of Earle's amps at the hifi show last year. Not sure whether it was the Time Machine, but I do recall Earle saying, as the sound level reached convincing for rock, that it was putting out 1-1&1/2 watts at that stage. If I we're in your shoes I'd give them a good listen.

WLM are likely to prove a good pairing - I enjoy their Lyra IIs with 811A SET.

Can't comment on the others as I've not heard them.

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With iPhone decibel meter, apparently it's +-2 db (tho doesn't extend below 500hz), the average is 80db with peaks at 93 or so. So I am guessing anything around 90db should work. My concern, I guess, is more to do with the sound signature, ie, is it refined enough, compared to modern bookshelves? If kit, how far?

 

Your reading won't be correct if you used music as a test signal.

 

 

 

What you need to do is.

 

Find your listening volume  (by using music as a source)

 

At the same volume setting, play a sine wave at -3dB   (easy if you have a computer for a source, or you can get a test CD to play)

 

Measure the dB output from this sinewave.    This represents your PEAK SPL.

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Hi holliswhy,

 

I have Tannoy Gold Monitors (12") . I am curious how they would sound with your amplifier. I use one of Earles' KT 120 amps. You are welcome to try it if you like. I am 

in Langwarrin, near Frankston.

 

Cheers, Larry

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Your reading won't be correct if you used music as a test signal.

 

 

 

What you need to do is.

 

Find your listening volume  (by using music as a source)

 

At the same volume setting, play a sine wave at -3dB   (easy if you have a computer for a source, or you can get a test CD to play)

 

Measure the dB output from this sinewave.    This represents your PEAK SPL.

 

thanks for that. I will give it a crack in the next few days. :)

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Hi holliswhy,

 

I have Tannoy Gold Monitors (12") . I am curious how they would sound with your amplifier. I use one of Earles' KT 120 amps. You are welcome to try it if you like. I am 

in Langwarrin, near Frankston.

 

Cheers, Larry

 

That sounds like a plan. PM sent. :) 

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