Which SET amp to buy?

Personally I think you're doing this ass backwards(or maybe I'm just looney). I'd at least identify the speakers that really do it for you first, then find the amp that works best with the speakers. If you buy the amp first(especially if it's a SET) you're travelling down a dangerous road as you may be very disappointed if the speakers you really love require more power than your new amp can deliver, or they may just not mate well with your amp. For what it's worth. Best of luck.

Tim

If you do not know if you prefer the 2A3 or 300B, you may want to take a look at the AES-SE1 Signature. It will let you play both. It is relatively inexpensive and lets you play with a larger variety of triodes. Once you have established a preference, you can always upgrade to a stand alone model later if you wish.

Most SETs run from about 2mV to 10mV of 120Hz hum. Less power is less hum so 2A3s are on the low side SOMETIMES.

If possible, think about buying your stuff as a system instead of in separate components (even if you cannot afford both right know). They are going to work together in your listening room. Read Eduardo B.E.de Lima's article "Why single ended Tube Amplifiers". He discusses how SETS and speakers, when phased correctly, produce less harmonic distortion than either component separately.

You should be able to find the article with a search on the web under his name.
CK

Be careful with your amp choice. You should have at least an idea of what speaker you are going to use. If you are in a large or even medium listening room, 10 watts per channel on a speaker with efficiency < or = to 98db and a impedence of 8 ohms or greater will probably not cut it. At that point you need to consider an 845 based SET like the Cary 805C, the Unison Research Smart 845, or the Antique Sound Labs AQ1006-845. These amps will generate 22 to 40 watts/channel in single ended operation.

Another option is to go with very efficient speakers like the Avantgardes, Beauhorns, or other horn based systems which will give you 100db plus efficiency and a benign impedance.

If you proceed very carefully and thoughtfully, you should be able to assemble a system that will make the music come to life. Gook luck.

Sounds like your looking for magic. Why don't you try a Pass Aleph series amp? They are solid state with only 2 gain stages. I've been down the tube road & the Pass amps I have (Aleph 3 & Aleph 2 monoblocks) sound quite romantic (tubelike). I haven't taken out one tweeter or come home to a noisy failing tube since I quite tubes..
(I am looking for a tube pre-amp though).
I have an aquantance who fell in love with a low powered SET amp, he's still trying to find speakers that he can drive to levels he attained w/Manley monoblocks...

Daniel