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Build A Used/Kit Flea Watt SET System

Hey you Low-Wattage Enthusiasts,

If you had $18,000 to spend on three used or built-from-pre-assembled kits, magic-creating, toe-tapping components only - a tubed linestage, a SET amplifier and speaker only (no cables, tweaks, or source components), what would you suggest?

Assume the room is somewhat small, so the speakers cannot dominate the room and a small amount of wattage is all that is required. Standard music choice includes accoustic and classical coming from a TT and a CDP. If you suggest that I build something, I do need to build it from a kit - its too hard for this inexperienced neophyte to follow diagrams and plans.

Thanks!
leftistelf
twl
3,251 posts
 
Leftistelf, to be honest, I haven't tried any real high end linestages in my system. I know one thing, though. It is going to have to be a good quiet one. The high efficiency speakers really show up any problems with the noise floor very quickly.

If I were to venture a guess as to which might be a good match, I'd mention the Supratek preamps. They have been really well received by alot of members who have bought them, and they make an excellent synergy with the Berning amps, according to what has been stated on that "Preamp Deal of the Century" thread. Everybody seems to think that these preamps are really performing in a very high-priced category, but are still affordable. Maybe you could even get into their top of the line Grange model. At any rate, I'd investigate these Supratek preamps, if I were in the position that you are in now. Nothing is perfect, but these seem to be regarded as coming pretty close to it, at a reasonable cost.
leftistelf OP
87 posts
 
Thanks, TWL
leftistelf OP
87 posts
 
Anyone know where to find Lammhorns? I cant find them sold online anywhere...
twl
3,251 posts
 
Probably because I misspelled the name. It was supposed to be spelled "Lamhorn 1.8".

Here's a link.
http://www.rlacoustique.com/lamhorn.htm

This gives some info, pictures, and dealer locations.

The Lowther drivers in these cabinets are nice. The AER is only good if your amp is designed to handle 16 ohm loads, and the Berning is designed for 8 ohms. The Reps-1 drivers are very nice, but at $5k for the bare drivers, they make the package too expensive.

For much cheaper, but still very good performance, the DIY Voigt Pipes are a real good bargain. If prices start to look like a budget crunch might ensue, then definitely consider this option. The drivers are the same, and the cabinet does very well if properly constructed. And it is easy to make. I can email you the plans, and pertinent info to maximize these.
cdc
1,833 posts
 
For SET amps, Atmasphere and Wyetech have been the best to my ears. These go for about $8,000-$10,000. I would not recommend any single driver speaker that uses a "whizzer cone" as you will lose the time/phase coherency of a true single driver. Von Schweikert has a DB100 100dB efficient speaker that I have not heard and know nothing about.
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