What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Tubegroover,
I agree with you, this has been a very informative thread with many good contributions, this is what I look forward to on this site. I've become plain worn out with the battleground threads with the same predictable lines drawn in the sand. Tubegroover you should read Tim Smith's Dynamo review in 6 Moons. The work and effort he put into it is very apparent, in addition he writes well.
Charles,

I did read the review Charles. Very insightful and through as is the review of the ML 518i. I sensed much the same in Brownsfan's and Mikirob's impressions as well. It makes me want to purchase the amp just to HEAR it particularly at that price. It seems quite remarkable that a product obviously so well made and attractive to boot could be made in Canada, not China, at such a great price. It makes me more curious about Coincident's other offerings.

Al and Mapman, Good comments from both of you. One does well not to ignore physics and math. Reality is painfully stubborn and persistent. It won't bend no matter how much you want it to. However, in this field, one's subjective perception of that reality must be the final arbiter. Most of us have been gifted with the ears and minds to discern nuances to which 95% of the human race is oblivious. This is why an A/B against Rebbi's Manleys is the ideal. His room, his gear, his music, and his biases. It is after all his dime, and he has to live with his decision. I can't tell him what he should do, because I've never heard his amps in any system.

I think the Dynamo is an incredible accomplishment, but it has its limitations. You are not going to get a world class amp for 1.3K.

Tim, I also enjoyed your review very much. I also think those new production Gold Lion 5AR4s are quite good. It is nice to see some nice new production tubes that aren't so expensive.

Regardless of Rebbi's final decision, he should be credited with inciting a very agreeable and informative thread. Like Charles, I've got better things to do than get involved in the battleground threads.

Tubegroover, I urge caution on the Coincident gear. It is addictive.

I'm sure it is Brownsfan. As a matter of interest Charles and Brownsfan this past Saturday I attended an audio meeting where one of the members told me of another fellow audiophile that purchased a pair of Lamm ML 2.2 SETs to replace his Franks. He is now considering selling the Lamm as he can't justify the price/performance difference. Now that is saying something. The Lamm amplifiers at 37k and the Franks at 5.9K. I would really love to hear the Franks but the praise on the value/performance of Coincident products seems universal. The Turbo 845 Integrated looks interesting as well but at 100 lbs, not so much!

Great comments everyone, this has been a enjoyable thread.

Brownsfan, I especially like your cautions. You're completely right that no one (at this point) is going to get a world class amp for 1.3K; but as Tim Smith also correctly pointed out you can get awfully close. For 1.3K that is an incredible bargain to even approach world-class. Plus, no preamp necessary. This amp does so much right. Like you and Tubegroover, I also like the fact that some tube manufactures are finally making much better tubes.

I would also like to caution that a product like the Dynamo, for it to work best needs efficient speakers with high impedance, say true 93-94db or higher, minimal 8ohm impedance. Soon, I'm going to hook up the Dynamo to my 6ohm 96db efficient Infinity Prelude Compositions that hit 25hz in the bass due to its built in 300watt mash amp driving its 12 inch woofers. Still shaking my head how Harman Kardan screwed up future iterations of this good speaker.

Almarg, what can I say that hasn't already been said, your contribution to the A'gon can't be overstated, always an honest, helpful poster. I really want to pick your mind on the Daedalus speakers down the line.