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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,
I was working under the same premise as well. The thread focus was on amplifiers such as Dennis Had, Decware and the Dynamo. The LM 518ia moves to a difference price level. No one can really know if Rebbi will prefer the SET over his Manley push pull. I easily chose SET over my two push pull amplifiers after direct comparisons in my system. That's just me and doesn't mean Rebbi will have the same conclusion in his system. If possible a direct comparison is the way to settle choice.
Charles,
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Charles the only reason I brought up the Magenetic Line, as an example, was power. 8 watts with the Decapo is a big gamble regardless of how great those 8 watts are for the money. It seemed Rebbi had made up his mind to sell his amps and buy either a Dynamo or Decware. I think it great that he buy either amp outright BUT not before listening should he sell the Manley. This isn't a slam dunk decision as he seemed to suggest in his last post.

btw, I have throughly enjoyed all the input on this thread. It has been a most interesting read with lots of great info for all that might be interested in SET amplifiers.
rebbi OP
1,319 posts
 
My understanding from Tash Goka of Reference 3A is that the Antique Sound Labs SET (300b based) 8 watt integrated that they sell was made with the De Capo in mind. Spoke with Israel Blume and he thought the Dynamo and the De Capo would be stellar together. Steve Deckert @ Decware thought that as long as I didn't anticipate playing orchestral music at concert hall volumes I'd be really happy.
There's some good info there.
brownsfan
1,238 posts
 
Rebbi, my sense is exactly what you got from Steve Deckert. If I were going to use an SET with the deCapos for Mahler, it would have to be something like the Franks. Otherwise, I think I'm going to be very happy with the dynamo driving the deCapos.
mikirob
950 posts
 
I tend to agree with Deckert and Brownsfan. But I will say this: on large orchestral pieces, in my 16x14 foot office where the Dynamo's currently reside, hooked up to 95db 8ohm speakers I would not want to push the volume control much beyond 10 o'clock, even though they can go much, much louder without strain, but I'd like to save my hearing. Today I was playing large scale movie music, Gladiator, Ben Hur, El Cid and others, pretty wow experience.
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