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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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Mikirob,
Agree with the welcome mat being out for all music genres. The Frankenstein and honestly any good quality SET plays it all, and the lesser SETs will falter. This is true for all topologies, certainly not every solid state amplifier is universally accomplished reproducing all music genres successfully. Complex or dense music isn't an obstacle for the Frankenstein. Bill who listens to more of this type of music than I do would I'm sure concur. Just match this group of low power amplifiers with a suitable speaker and you're all set. Mikirob has confirmed that with his very joyful reporting here of his listening sessions. These amplifiers bring the music alive.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi Mikirob,
You're a bass player and I have a comment for you. Last night I attended a jazz performance and the bass player made ample use of his bow on the ballads. This con arco playing just captivates me with its beauty, I could have just melted away, man, did he sound good!
Is con arco playing more difficult than plucking the strings as is more common in nazz music? I love both but that bow moving across those strings is just delicious.
Thanks,
Charles,
mikirob
950 posts
 
No, I never thought it more difficult. I used to play with a number of Berklee College of Music people in Boston (ages ago). As you know as a trumpet player yourself (my first instrument), practice, practice, practice, good teachers, it all becomes second nature. As I stated elsewhere here, I come from a family of musicians. I haven't played formally since the 70s. Took a different career path.
mikirob
950 posts
 
I really enjoy bassist like Renaud Garcia-Fon playing oriental music con arco on 5 string bass. I played an Ampeg fret less all those years ago and did a fair amount of bowing.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Mikirob,
Thanks for your reply. You might like this CD by the Acoustic bass legend himself Paul Chambers, "Bass On Top". He led this quartet that features guitarist Kenny Burrell. There's a lot of plucked and con arco playing at a masterful level. This is a 1958 stereo recording on Blue Note.
Charles,
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