What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Speavler, Thanks for the comments. The 6SN7 I used was a Class A Sophia, vs a cheapo $15 6SL7. Please let me know how the KT88s work out for you. If one could address the soft muddy bottom end, this could be a pretty nice amp. I really liked what I heard north of the mid bass. It did work a little better with my 94dB efficient Triumphs, but not nearly good enough. I'd like to hand on the the inspire if I can make it sing.

08-28-14: Brownsfan
Please let me know how the KT88s work out for you. If one could address the soft muddy bottom end, this could be a pretty nice amp. I really liked what I heard north of the mid bass.

I don't think so Brownsfan, at least not in my room with my speakers, it didn't even come close to being a pretty nice amp. I really wanted to like it too, mainly due to it's ability to play with different tubes. Mine was the KT88 version and came with a pair of Gold Lions. I also tried 6V6's. I used 6SN7 and 6SL7's and had slightly better results with the 6SL7's. The soft, muddy bottom end and rolled off high's weren't the only problems with my speakers though (91 dB, 8 ohm). The soundstage was the size of a postage stamp, I never heard my system sound so constricted. Dennis was sure the amp was damaged in shipping, so I sent it back for him to test, nope, not broken.

I really loved working with Dennis, his energy is contagious! He worked with me on custom colors and tubes, but I just could not get that little amp to open up and sing. He refunded my money, so in the end it was a fun experiment, but just wasn't meant to be, for me anyway.

As for KT88's Dennis seemed to like the Northern Electric version, but I wasn't going to spring for $180 per tube unless the sound had more potential to start with.

Tube rolling can result in sound performance improvements but won't make up for inadequate transformers and power supplies. I believe that this accounts for the big difference between the Dynamo and Dennis Had amplifiers. Brownsfan, does the Dynamo feel heavier or more substantial?
Charles,

JMC and Charles, I noticed a substantially better stage with the dynamo. I'm inclined to agree with Charles regarding the transformers. I can grab one end of the inspire and easily pick it up with one hand. Not so the dynamo. I didn't weigh them, but it seems the dynamo is much heavier.

I am willing to hear Speavlers comments once he tries the KT88s, but I also am not going to spend much money on tubes for this amp.

Straight up, as shipped the dynamo is much better and doesn't require a preamp. Since I already have the inspire, I would keep it around for a change of flavor if its limitations could be inexpensively addressed.

Hi Brownsfan,
I suspected that was a major difference between the two amplifiers. It would certainly explain the Had amp's failure you heard with bass frequencies and dynamic symphonic music.Wimpy power supplies /transformers are a recipe for disappointment.