Would You Rather Own A Good SET Amp, Or A Great Push Pull Amp?


Throwing this out there because I would appreciate the viewpoints of the many knowledgeable, and experienced audio people here. I'm really torn about a decision I am considering in this regard. And no, sorry, I cannot name the amps involved. I could lose one or both options if I publicized them here. And honestly, only the tiniest fraction of forum members would ever have listened to even one of these options. 

The speakers they would be used with can equally accommodate either of these choices per the designer/manufacturer, who I ran it by. 

Your thoughts would be appreciated. 

nightfall

Whichever sounds better / more to your taste. Sorry, that may sound unhelpful. But I never make decisions on technology.  Any component is the product of the design vision and components. If you can't hear them then do a number of AI searches comparing the sound quality of the two. Read reviews. 

I have an amp that operates in linear and triode mode (no secret Audio Research REF 160s). The difference is small but important... I always run it in triode mode. I would have still ended up with this amp even if it only had one mode. 

It depends on the amp in question and matches with the speakers. Currently using 2a3 SET monos but I've used and loved PP amps as well.

Again, per the speaker manufacturer, either will work well with the speakers I have. 

I have loved SETS for a long time, but I simply cannot afford a "great SET". And, being retired, never will. 

I have no opportunity to listen to the specific push pull amp I am considering, but did hear its predecessor at an audio show, quite some time ago, and was left amazed. I am absolutely certain, based on a great deal of research, further show reports,  and many specific reasons, that it is unquestionably world class. 

I have two friends with smaller listening spaces, with low power SETs, both sound terrific, meanwhile we all love the sound of my 45 wpc P/P Cayin Tube Amp here (and the 30 wpc P/P Fisher 80AZ Mono Blocks before this). We all have tube preamps,

I've never heard a SET here, my 16 ohm horn speakers from 1958 are extremely efficient, my Cayin has the ability to play in Triode at 22 wc, I prefer the Ultralinear 45wpc option.

I occasionally hear a speck of hum in their systems at idle. Mine is always dead quiet. Both my friends have had problems and needed to ship their SETs out for repairs a few times.