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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
 
Congrats Rebbi,
You have more courage than me. For some reason I'm a bit snakebit when it comes to building amps from kit. Maybe it's my brothers fault. When we were teenagers I'd come from school and want to spin some tunes only to find the parts of the amp, preamp or turntable taken apart, parts laid out all over his bedroom floor. Something was almost always misplaced. I always had to retreat to my parents system, or go next door to an uncle's house to get a listening session in.

I believe you made an excellent decision, keep us updated on your progress. Stay calm, Go slow, measure twice, solder once...we are now vested in your success. Best, Rob
jetrexpro
500 posts
 
Rebbi,
Enjoy the kit1. I borrowed a kit 1 a few years back and that was what ultimately pushed me toward a 300b amp of my own. I remember the day very well, it took about 5 minutes of listening to that amp to know that was the direction I wanted to go.. Congrats!!
Jet.
gsm18439
738 posts
 
Charles

I have been visiting China for almost 15 years, and your comment is spot-on. Not everyone, of course; and there is the problem. But Beijing has gone from a city of bicycles to a city of American and German cars. My many students have a standard of living no different from their US counterparts.
gsm18439
738 posts
 
BTW. . . Takatsuki 300b are now available on Amazon!
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Good choice. Sounds like a fun project ahead!

I built many a kit as a kid. Its the best way to truly understand how things work and a little education always goes a long way.
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