What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Hi Mikirob,
I trust Brownsfan's ears/impressions and believe that you'll be very pleased with your Dynamo-M Lore pairing.
You have a very good list of speaker choices, the Frankenstein should match well with any of them. The Line Magnetic 755 field coil is intriguing.
Charles,

To address the original question, IMO the greatest bargain in SET amps is one you build yourself. SETs are very simple circuits, even a beginner can make one. How it sounds will depend greatly on the power supply and the output transformers you select, but if you can solder two wires together you can build an SET. Since you will be building it with your own labor, without the need to make a profit, it will undoubtedly be cost-effective as well.

If it seems like I'm always pushing DIY here, well it's because I've gone from buying my gear to building it myself, and not only is it a very rewarding hobby, I've been able to make equipment that I never could have afforded to buy commercially. Just planting the idea.

Mikirob, I had a feeling that dynamo wasn't going to last long. I assure you I have no connection with the seller.

As Charles stated, the dynamo is brand new. My rectifier tube is arcing on start up, so it looks like I will be looking into rectifiers sooner rather than later. As I have stated, my dynamo is far from burned in now, and it is clear the tubes aren't the best in the world. Neither simpatico nor gemutlich. I'm thinking I will talk to Brent Jesse on the EL34s, after I get a few more hours of burn in. I take it he likes the Groove Tubes, which are probably in a reasonable price range for the dynamo. Where this thing ends up with the right tubes and some hours on the transformers remains to be seen. As I have listened to this amp, I have thought back to my first integrated amp, which was a 1972 vintage ss Kenwood for which I payed something like $360. It is just astonishing how much value the dynamo represents as compared to most of the stuff I have owned in the past.

You are going to love the Frankenstiens, They are special.

Ait: I am a fan of DIY, too, but not without guidance. I built and am running a Bottlehead Seduction phono stage and while I don't have a lot to compare it to, it sounds great. I have thought of building one of the Bottlehead amps but they are truly "flea watt" and I don't know if they have enough juice to drive my De Capo's. But if you know of other SET kits I'd be glad to know about them.
As things now stand I'm leaning toward one of the Decware amps. They seem to have an avid following and the prices are reasonable. I basically can't spend any more money than what I'd get for my current Manley gear.

Brownsfan, Charles, thanks for all your wonderful conversations on the
A'gon about Coincident SET 300B as well as this Dynamo newcomer.

The rectifier tube is already upgraded with a Upscale NOS Phillips. I
checked my tube stash and found a matched pair of Sylvania VT 229 SL7
from the 1940s. I'm already doing some research on re-tubing the Dynamo.
Some choices might be the Psvane Black Treasure, their newer stuff as
well. Perhaps the SED Winged C. I have some new Reflector 6L6 6n3c that
I like in another amp, that might be interesting provided I can use those
types in this amp. I'll likely contact Brent Jesse as well as Jim McShane
and Mr. Blume. If you have any further suggestions please post. Best, Rob