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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
 
In hindsight I just realized I may be talking about a different model amplifier. The one I heard in Las Vegas last year retailed for about $10,000.
jetrexpro
500 posts
 
somebody got these amps for $1375+160 shipping.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
I listened to the top Supratek DHT, two box, tube regulated preamp last week. It has a switch allowing the owner to switch between transformer coupled and capacitor coupled. I prefered the capacitor coupled option as the highs were less grainy, more extend with improved smoothness. It this design the transformer option limited the top end.

This got me to thinking more about direct coupled as the best option. It is an interesting design.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
Forgot to mention I bid up to $1250 on that direct coupled set of 300b amps. I just did not want to go higher without hearing them!
jetrexpro
500 posts
 
Lots of direct coupled 45 and 2A3 SET amps but not too many 300b amps. Harder to drive a 300b tube without a cap or an interstage transformer. Plus a direct coupled amp has to be done just right or all sorts of bad things can happen of there is a parts or tube failure. As Charles points out, Electra-Print amps must sound really good and have a great reputation but we dont seem to hear very much about them. Their transformers are more well known.
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