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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
brf
1,715 posts
 
The lifetime of a tube is determined by the lifetime of its cathode emission. And the life of the of a cathode is dependent on the cathode temperature, which means that it is dependent on filament or heater operating voltage.

Operate the heater/filament too hot, and the tube will give a shortened life. Operate it too cool and life may be shortened. This is especially true for thoriated filaments, which depend on replenishment of thorium by diffusion from within the filament wire.

For best, long lasting tube life it is recommended that you operate your tube within the tube manufactures specifications.
pehare's avatar
pehare
835 posts
 
Happy to say that I have a Dynamo 34se coming from Izzy in the next week. Having owned triode amps in the past it's something you can't get out of your mind once you've experienced it. I really had Turbo 845 in mind but just can't get my mind or aging back around 85 lbs & all those expensive enormous heat emitting tubes - I know what more heat means having owned tube amps for awhile. Iz says it should be incredible w/my Partial 2's. cheers
smctigue1
53 posts
 
Pehare, are you replacing your RM10?
pehare's avatar
pehare
835 posts
 
no way - it's a lifetime keeper just craving a different flavor occasionally. really happy w/the CDP & speakers too.
smctigue1
53 posts
 
Ah, good to hear. I'll look forward to your impressions of the Dynamo and how it compares to the RM10.
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