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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
mikirob
955 posts
 
Keep us posted on the Dynamo. I owned the RM10 and loved it. Regret selling it. Terrific little amp. Best.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Mikirob,
Listening to an eclectic mix of Holst, Peter Gabriel and Cheryl Crow this afternoon. Wow! You are just going to love the Kit 1 when your wife builds it. Trust me! ;-)
mikirob
955 posts
 
Rebbi,
Yes, I agree completely. To me you just cannot beat a 300B SET DHT amplifier provided all your ancillary equipment is synergistic.

Really happy you are enjoying the music so much. This what it is all about. And a big thank you for paving the way on building the AN Kit. This has been one of the most enjoyable threads on Audiogon, ever. Best!
saki70
907 posts
 
Rebbi ;
Does this mean that you are keeping , and still loving , the Di Capo's ?

Mikirob ;
Thank you for the BT 6CA7 recommendation , without a doubt the best power tube that I have tried !

Happy Tunes
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Saki,
I think I am sitting tight for the time being. I keep having these "huge grin moments" with old, familiar recordings sounding so much more enjoyable than they ever have in the past. I'm not talking about "I can hear the bass player cough at 5:23," neurotic audiophile moments, but a sense that I'm listening to "a performance." It's just hard to describe otherwise... as cliched as this sounds (forgive me) I'm enjoying music rather than listening to hi-fi. So the Kit 1 has elevated my De Capo's to a higher level and I'm really enjoying them, yes.
Now, does that mean I've totally conquered the audiophile "what if" reflex? No, I haven't.
If I had about $2000 to play with, I'd buy a pair of Omega Alnico monitors and a/b them with the De Capo's. Louis Chochos of Omega builds every one of those speakers by hand, including the hemp cone alnico drivers themselves, which are exclusive to Omega. They are said to transcend many of the "traditional" single-driver pitfalls, such as "shouty" Lowther/Fostex upper mids, and people on the Omega forum at AudioCircle say that they are simply extraordinary with SET amps. Unfortunately, $2K in mad money isn't there right now, and I am delighted enough with my De Capo/Kit 1 pairing not to mess with success by selling them just to try something new. Of course, the Tekton Lore 2.0 is also a possibility to experiment with when finances permit.

Mikirob: Thanks a lot for the kind words! When are you thinking of pulling the trigger on the Kit 1?
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