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Wavac EC-300B Power Amplifier Wavac EC-300B + 3 x WE300B Tubes A Rare Opportunity to Own a World-Class 300B Tube Amplifier Arguably the finest 300B tube amplifier ever made, the Wavac EC-300B is a true audiophile masterpiece. Rarely seen on the used market, this is a unique opportunity for serious buyers. Second owner – I’ve cherished this amp for 2.5 years. Visually stunning, in excellent condition. Comes with a matched pair of current-production Western Electric 300B tubes (99.9% new) plus one additional WE300B (600 hours) – a total of 3 x WE300Bs. With the current RRP at $1,299 per
At A$16,000, this sits just above the recent A$15,853 75th percentile and a touch over the A$15,680 median, so it reads as slightly ambitious rather than a bargain. It’s not wildly off the mark for a sought-after Western Electric 300B, but you’re paying top-of-market money, so the condition and any provenance need to justify the premium.
That said, a clean excellent example can absolutely be worth it: the WE 300B is one of the most revered direct-heated triodes ever made, prized for its tone, midrange realism, and low-level finesse in the right amp. If it’s genuinely excellent and fully tested, the upside is owning a benchmark tube with strong desirability and easy resale. I’d want clear test results, matched specs, and confirmation of how many hours are on it before buying at this level.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Western Electric traces its origins to 1869 in Cleveland, Ohio, where Enos Barton and Elisha Gray founded a modest workshop for telegraph and electrical equipment. Relocating to Chicago as the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, it quickly gained prominence through ties to Western Union and, by 1882, became the exclusive manufacturer for the Bell Telephone Company under AT&T's umbrella. This heritage positioned it as a cornerstone of American telecommunications, pioneering audio innovations like the world's first audio limiter and laying groundwork for broadcast technology that influenced modern sound reproduction.
While historically dominant in telephone hardware and infrastructure, Western Electric's enduring legacy in hi-fi centers on vacuum tubes and electron tubes, revered for their tonal purity and dynamic range. Revived in recent decades, the brand now focuses on high-end audio components, including 300B power triodes, single-ended triode amplifiers, and select drivers prized by tube enthusiasts for authentic, uncompressed sound.
Today, Western Electric occupies a niche boutique position in the high-end market, appealing to audiophiles and vintage collectors who value its authentic recreations of legendary parts. Its products command premium prices, embodying unparalleled heritage and engineering precision that outshine mass-market alternatives, cementing its status among discerning hi-fi buyers seeking timeless excellence.
See all Western Electric listings on RADAR.
