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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
 
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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Mikirob,
Your wife has good ears, does she share your musician background? The SET amplifiers sacrifice power relative to push pull alternatives. Their simpler design/circuits in return offer purer and more natural sound IMO. There's less complexity and fewer parts affecting the signal. I bet your wife hears this advantage (lively and increased sense of realism). Plus if she's similar to my wife she'll consider the Dynamo "cute". My wife can definitely detect/hear the differences in "naturalness" amongst various audio components. She'll say Charles, "that one sounds more real than the other one".
Charles,
brownsfan
1,238 posts
 
Mikirob, the recording I use so frequently for listening tests is from the Kitajenko cycle on Cappriccio. Most of the recordings in the set are pretty good, both from the standpoint of sonics and also based on performance. I also have Barshai and Jansons cycles.
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