Indeed they are high value amplifiers Charles. Unfortunately they are a bit too large and heavy and I would be inclined more towards mono blocks of more managable size if I were to consider an SET. I have an audio buddy with a Mastersound integrated 845 SET with 2 845s per channel, which I've listened to many times. It weighs in the neighborhood of 130 lbs and puts out about 35 watts, a real beast. As I have previously stated, as much as I love the wonderful things that SETs do so well I do note their limitations, at least for me and in the set-ups I've heard. Like Mapman said it would probably take a very large full range efficient system to realize the potential, particularly in the bass but it seems you have the right formula with your speaker choice and amps. Though an SET might work satisfactorly for some in a main system for my musical taste and listening biases, I'm not so certain, at least with the Decapos. I would have to go in a different direction. As it stands now I have no desire or intention to do so but would just love to hear, maybe I would change my mind. As things stand now I am VERY satisfied, but one never knows what turns are in store in the future.
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!
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!
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