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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
10,250 posts
 
Grannyring,
Yes we all here would agree on the importance of synergy/compatibility. For this reason a reviewer should rationally use an appropriate speaker for the amplifier under review. Otherwise what good is the reviewer's results if the match isn't properly sorted out? SETs need easy to drive speakers with reasonable efficiency. As Mikirob pointed out, he has no limitation of music genres with his Tekton speakers. An excellent 300b SET will sound woeful if asked to drive a Magical or a Thiel. Get the match "right" and the amp will shine.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
01-06-15: Charles1dad
I suppose it's possible to have good quality transformers that suffer unusually high output impedance.
Agreed, Charles. My comment should not be taken as implying that the output transformers are not "good," or are not capable of providing fine performance when paired with suitable speakers. My comment was speculation as to the reason, or one of the reasons, for the high output impedance. Nothing more, nothing less.

Best regards,
-- Al
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,551 posts
 
The interesting thing seemingly about SET amp is that one has to understand the unique limitations of each unique design and match gear accordingly. Not so much different than the norm, but the rules and players are different. I would expect in the end that teh best implementations of any robust paradigm will tend to sound more or less similar. However the variations one might achieve along the way could vary widely. But in the end, reproducing music well is always a team sport. :-) You can build a playoff caliber team around Tom Brady or Joe Flacco and the end results might be very similar but teh rest will vary.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,573 posts
 
Yes, my statement also said they were high quality trannys made to play within their limited range of greatness. My goodness an amp priced this well, point to point wired, and that is beautiful to look at, has to save $$ somewhere.
mikirob
955 posts
 
I would guess just about any 8ohm spesker with above 92-3db would be optimal. Not hard for a reviewer to do. Lot's of fine choices in this category. Even Dick himself, has mentioned this type of compatibility in many other reviews if my memory serves...
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