2. amps-preamps
  3. 1408839785

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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
My gut feeling is that the Glow is a good sounding SEP (single ended pentode, el84) and likely a step above the Dennis Had offerings. The Glow weighs 14.3 pounds, uses small amounts of NFB anc has solid state rectification. The Dynamo weighs 22 pounds, zero NFB and is tube rectified. The Dynamo's 50% weight gain is in all likelihood bigger and heftier transformers. As had been noted before, transformer quality and capacity can make or break these single ended amplifiers. It would be very worthwhile to compare these two differently designed amplifiers in the same system. Design differences aside, I'd like to hear what distinguishes one from the other.
Charles,
mapman's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mapman
15,679 posts
 
The GLOW also has the cool glowing color ring around the volume that changes color. :^)

My app would be as a headphone amp for both STAX and conventional phones and to perhaps try with my Triangle Titus XS speakers in my wife's sunroom, where small and inconspicuous works best.

Currently the Triangles run off my main system downstairs via in-wall speaker wiring. I have a dedicated setup for the Stax in my family room running off a 70s vintage Yamaha receiver fed by Squeezebox Touch that works quite well, but I would love to hear it with a really good sounding tube amp.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Mapman,
That glowing color ring is a compelling feature and could be a must have for some buyers.
Charles,
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Charles the gentleman owns Coincident speakers, I'm not sure which model but that might help put things in perspective. Of course this is second hand hearsay testimony but I would add from a very reliable and trustworthy source.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Tubegroover,
If you're interested in SET amplifiers with more power than a 300b provides, the LM 518ia and Coincident Turbo 845 are serious built and executed choices. Yes they're heavy beasts and for good reason, major power supply and transformers to properly handle the demands of the high voltage 845 tube. I'd really relish the opportunity to hear these two A/B directly. I suspect that they are both truly excellent sounding SETs if you need roughly 25 watts of power. Both use the 300b as the driver tube, these are high value amplifiers when you consider the total package they offer.
More to discover