You don't say what tube you're using, so I'll guess a 12AX7. Also, I find that almost everything I change in a design effects the tone, so the question is whether it is better tone or not.
In my exp., 100k load res drops about 100vdc off the plate at V1. So, a B+ of 300vdc will end up at around 200vdc on the plate. But you have 300v at the plate even with the 100k res.
There is an important relationship between the plate and the plate resistor (usually called the load resistor). If you look at high gain designs, they sometimes have a 120k load resistor on V1, going as high as maybe 220k. In addition, the cathode resistor is often increased in conjunction. The effect is to give greater gain and much more "overdrive" effect. Usually, this means less headroom and more crunch, although whether the crunch is good or not is subjective.
In technical terms (which I am cretainly not an expert on - no, that's not a typo
), I believe there is a sort of Ohms Law trade off going on between plate current and plate voltage. A higher value load resistor reduces voltage but in exchange allows more current, which can then overdrive the next stage. But I am guessing here. But there is certainly a match that needs to be made between the plate and resistor, depending on what tone you're looking for.
In any case, 300v on a 12AX7 plate seems higher than usual - I am more comfortable around 160-200v on a 12AX7. I don't know why - probably just my limited experience. But does it sound how you were hoping? If not, drop the B+ at the power filter section with a larger dropping resistor, rating it for the expected wattage/heat dissipation.
Topic: lowering V1 plate methods and effect on tone (Read 3758 times)