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What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Hi, Gang,
I response to my recent review of the Reference 3A De Capo BE speaker, someone wrote that if you really want to hear them sing, you should try them with a SET amp, or words to that effect.
That got me thinking. The De Capo's are 92 db efficient, which (correct me if I'm wrong) seems kind of borderline for low-power SET amps.
In any event, right now I'm running mine with a pair of Manley Mahi mono-blocks. They are switchable from triode (20 watts) to "ultra linear" (40 watts). I run them in triode all the time, and in my room, the volume knob almost never goes past 9 o'clock; more would just be too loud.
All that said, what do you guys think of running the De Capo's with a SET amp? And if I did, what's the best bargain in SET's these days?
Thanks!
rebbi
saki70
853 posts
 
Mikirob ;
You stated " I'm going to sell my Cary V12, Cary SL98, perhaps Primaluna Dialogue One " . Does the hesitance on the Primaluna speak to its close equality to the Dynamo ? I ask because I have a Prologue II with rolled tubes including EL-34's .

Just curious
ebm
5,165 posts
 
Saw a girl last week with a great SET.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
I bet she sounds as good as shes looks.
mikirob
950 posts
 
No, the Cary combo of V-12, SL98 actually sounds better than the the Primaluna Dialogue One. Also, I liked the V-12 with the Audible Illusions Modulus 3A as much or more when I owned that wonderful preamp. The Primaluna Dialogue has many more inputs and it's tube rolling with its auto-bias capabilities is second to none. It is overbuilt like a tank, looks and sounds great at about 68 pounds. I definitely upgraded the Primaluna sound by replacing the stock power tubes (Shuguang), with Reflector 6n3ce (6L6) and input/drivers with costly NOS Sylvania black 3 mica 5751s as well as Bugle Boy 12Au7s. I'm cutting my throat here, but to my ears, my wife' s ears, the Coincident Dynamo 34se sounds better all-around.
mikirob
950 posts
 
Brownsfan,
Please let me know which recording of Shostakovich Symphony no.13, Babi Yar, you used in your listening test as I would like to purchase that copy if I don't already have it. Thank you.
Best, Rob
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