Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

Agree Mapman, this could be a solution if Rebbi is committed to the Decapos. BUT that is a completely different road and matching a subwoofer to a given speaker in a seamless manner in a given room is a tricky task, at least IME. Over the years I have heard very few systems that pull this off successfully, at least to my satisfaction which is why I avoid them. The last guy that recommended that I try it had MAJOR issues with his full range speakers in a large room which included dual subwoofers which were all too obvious to me if not him.

With subs its up to the buyer to do the integration to their satisfaction. It takes some time and discipline but is doable usually. Ive done it to my satisfaction in the past but it required a lot of focus and a clear goal it can be done by ear or with help of tools designed for the task. Rebbi built his own amp so i suspect he would get it done well. Its just audio though not life and death. Lots of ways to skin the cat.

Regarding the possibility of adding a sub, in addition to the concerns about integration that have been raised I would have some concern that the high pass filter and other circuitry in the sub, that would be in the path between the preamp and the SET amp, might noticeably compromise the SET magic.

And then of course there is the cost of the sub, which would be purely an additional cost rather than a cost that could be offset, at least partially, by selling the existing speakers or amp.

FWIW, although under the great majority of circumstances I am in the "build the system around the speakers" camp, in this particular set of circumstances, all things considered, as I indicated in Charles' system description thread where this has been under discussion my vote would be for a speaker replacement.

Best regards,
-- Al

Grannyring,
Your right - Knowing the thrill of building audio equipment my comments are based on how Rebbi must feel about building that amp. I dont have knowledge of all the amp topologies available but if one can build an a amp that can drive the Decapos but also sound like a 300b SET amp I am all in! And I agree it is more difficult to shop for speakers than an amp.

Rebbi has to decide which route he wants to travel. Sub woofer, new amp, new speakers. But I doubt he is going to find an amp that sounds as good as the Kit1 for the amount he paid. I have read many DIY forums and the guys who built the AN EL34 or 84 amp and then eventually build an AN 300b SET prefer the 300b and not by a small margin. If I were Rebbi I would do some research. Borrow a subwoofer, hear his amp with different speakers, hear his speakers with different amps. From reading his blog, he already prefers the Kit1 to the Manley from a sheer musical stand point. He can be patient and not spend any money and come to the decision that works best for him.

If I had a vote I'd throw my hat in with Almarg and Charles' advice given the circumstances; plus I doubt SS can sound similar to DHT SET, I'll have to take Grannyring's word for that, but it must be ball-busting difficult to pull that off. I wonder how Brownsfan's 8 watt Coincident SET Dynamo 34SE is managing with the DeCapos? I have 95db 8 ohm Tektons that handle all music with aplomb. It's dynamic and goes as loud as I want it to in my 14x16 room. Rarely do I push the volume control beyond 10 o'clock which is loud, small club live sounding. At that anything past that volume my wife has to run out of the room. Good luck all this has been a great thread.