What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Jet, I am going to build a set of 300b amps or heavily modify an exsisting outstanding specimen. Just doing my research now and learning all I can before I decide on the direction. I came close to building the AN Monoblock amps with the two 300bs in paralell. I am not sure I want them transformer coupled however. I would also like the ability to switch from one to two 300b output tubes depending on the type of music being played.

The Manley Neo Classic amps fit the bill and I bet with the right mods/upgrades they could be wonderful. Not sure however, as they are built with circuit boards which I don't as much as point to point wiring.

Hi Bill,
I didn't know that your speakers were that efficient for these types of low power amplifiers. I was under the impression that they require more power to be driven optimally. I believe that a DC 300b SET amplifier would be a challenging but doable project for you. I say have the fun and go for it!
Charles,

Grannyring, I am thinking about building a 2nd 300b amp. I am not sure a PSE amp can be switched to a SE amp. The output transformers usually have different primary impedance for PSE and SE amps the the current rating for PSE will be much higher than SE. I would ask Jack at Electra-Print or Mike at Magnaquest about this

Jetrexpro, read up on the Manley Neoclassic amps. They have such a switch and custom tranny. Interesting.

Charles, well my speakers never dip below 6 ohms and are about 92db efficient. I also sit nearfield. The key is I don't listen to music at high volume ever. No louder than 85 DB continues on a day I am off the leash.

My current tube amps put out some 20-25 watts in triode mode and I never push them hard at all.

Like to have two amps on hand. My powerful SS amps and a tube amp to put into rotation.

Bill,
You should be OK given your listening parameters, and with normal hearing ability, 85 db is pretty darn loud enough. I know some on this site like to listen on average at 90-100 db. Too loud for me regardless of the components or system in place(and risky for one's hearing IMO). To each their own as they say. I thought the Manley Neo-Classic 300b allowed switching between SET and push pull. Not sure if the output transformer needed for that is ideal for either topology as there are different requirements. I heard that amp long ago at CES one year. Transformers best suited for SET are 'air gapped' to my understanding, PP doesn't require this feature. It makes me wonder if this amplifier is better in PP than SET mode. The right output transformer is critical to optimal SET performance. Interesting concept but how much compromise is involved?
Charles,