Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

In rebbi's case I think he has to keep the SET and find teh right speakers. After all, he built the amp. Its his personal creation.

The Refs are nice but you can always buy a new pair of good speakers.

Then again this amp is famous by now. You might be able to sell it for a profit to help finance the next phase! :^)

The right SS amp in the right total system can indeed sound very much
like a good SET amp system. It it the complete combination. The amp is but
one piece.

I love tube amps of all types and find the great ones deliver sound that is
beautiful and "SET" like regardless of wether they are or are not
SET or DHT amps. In fact, I would argue the sound variance is just as wide
between the multitude of DHT SET amps out there.

Many designs and combinations of designs with carefully matched gear
can deliver that engaging SET type sound. This can be learned by
experience and trying lots of gear. No shortcuts. Some of us have been
there and learned that.

I am confident Rebbi can indeed experience the same type of sound he is
now enjoying with a well chosen more powerful amp and perhaps preamp.

Mapman, yes indeed Rebbi now has a deeper connection to this amp!

"The right SS amp in the right total system can indeed sound very much
like a good SET amp system. It it the complete combination. The amp is but
one piece"

I'm glad to hear someone else believes this too as well as me. If I am whacked, at least I am not alone.

Grannyring:
"Deeper connection to the amp" indeed. I almost can't imagine buying a finished piece of electronics at this point. The build process was just SO satisfying! And I learned so much.
Also, I'd have no hesitation to pop the bottom off the chassis and fix or upgrade a part, which I'd never dream of doing with a finished product.
I wouldn't claim to understand the Kit 1 as Andy Grove or Brian Smith understand it - I’m not an electrical engineer. But I certainly understand how it works in the sense of how it fits together, and that's a cool feeling! :-D