2. amps-preamps
  3. 1408839785

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
jetrexpro
500 posts
 
Rebbi, Reading your blog today and seeing your installation of the tube sockets. Its a ton of fun building gear, right?
regards Jet.
rebbi OP
1,319 posts
 
Jetexpro:
Yes, a TON of fun! :-)
isochronism
1,447 posts
 
And when it is completed and sounding great while listening/enjoying you have the extra satisfaction that you built it and understand how it works.
jetrexpro
500 posts
 
I may have mentioned this before, but if you find something about the sound of the amp that bothers you or you feel could be improved, now that you have a working knowledge of the circuit, it is very simple to try a different cap or resistor and this will alter the sound. Much less expensive than buying a different set of interconnects or speaker cables.
rebbi OP
1,319 posts
 
Jetrexpro,
Exactly. Right now I will have the better capacitors (Mundorf Gold/Silver/Oil rather than the stock Mundorf Supreme) and the addition of the three-input switch. That tapped out my budget this time around, but I do envision more upgrades down the road.
More to discover