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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
mikirob
950 posts
 
Hi Tubegroover,
Sorry you lost out. If I saw it (Golden Tube 300B) I'd try to buy. I believe stock it would be fantastic with th DeCapo. It has great iron. Now, if you were to spend about $1,000-1,500 to upgrade capacitors, resistors, etc., plus get the Black Treasure 300Bs, some good 6L7s, you'd really be on to something. You'd be breathing rarified air, within striking distance of Coincident, Wytec Opal, territory. You'd fall a little short, but maybe not by much.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Mapman,
That SS amp could bevery good. If someone wants to truly experience what a good DHT amp is about you have to hear the real thing. SS won't mimic DHT. Now which one is preferred is simply choice. Rebbi expressed an interest in DHT and SET/SEP.
mikirob
950 posts
 
Saki70,
Those comments were LOL. Likely, most of those folks are in an Asylum. Straight-jacket Extreme Tubegoobers (SET Asylum).
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
The SET asylum site is the classic hit and miss example. There are smart and very experience people there without question. They can provide deep technical information. But you also get the DIY know it all aspect sometimes. There are some who believe their amps always trump commercial brands. This could very well be true in some cases but not across the board as they suggest. Overall I do find it a worthwhile site with a few warts.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Charles,

Yes, I mention those purely for the potential sound and performance with Ref3a DeCapos specifically for very modest cost, not the underlying technology used.

I have a pair I have used with all my speakers, Dynaudio, Triangle, OHM. Results are top notch in every way and most lovely with them all. Their only limitation I have found is with my larger OHMs in my larger room where they can run out of gas somewhat before reaching concert levels in comparison to the BEl CAnto ref1000m monoblocks I normally use with those, which never even break a sweat much less run out of gas.
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