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What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Hi, Gang,
I response to my recent review of the Reference 3A De Capo BE speaker, someone wrote that if you really want to hear them sing, you should try them with a SET amp, or words to that effect.
That got me thinking. The De Capo's are 92 db efficient, which (correct me if I'm wrong) seems kind of borderline for low-power SET amps.
In any event, right now I'm running mine with a pair of Manley Mahi mono-blocks. They are switchable from triode (20 watts) to "ultra linear" (40 watts). I run them in triode all the time, and in my room, the volume knob almost never goes past 9 o'clock; more would just be too loud.
All that said, what do you guys think of running the De Capo's with a SET amp? And if I did, what's the best bargain in SET's these days?
Thanks!
rebbi
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Charles, I try to be careful about excessive exuberance, as you may have noted with my reservations on the WE replica 101D. But this CV387 is really good in my system and room. I did some looking around to try to find CV387s, to no avail. It looks like it is ebay or nothing.

I did find some of the rare fat bottle CV387s from the Mullard Wycombe plant. Those are supposed to be even better than the blackburn skinny bottles I got from Israel, but they are 600 for a pair.

I am eager to get your read on the tubes once you get a little burn in time.

I do hope a supply of the skinny bottle blackburns are out there. This is a tube that so far is pushing all the right buttons for me.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Mikirob,
I've bought tubes from Andy a few years ago and had no problems with him or his tubes.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Bill,
I purchased the "skinny" bottle Blackburn plant model.
I did come across a "fat"bottle version but they were as you noted much more expensive (double the cost). The skinny tube has impressed you and Israel so I went this route as well. These are new (old stock) according to the reputable Canadian seller and should last for many years.
Charles,
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Mikirob, Thanks so much for your kind comments. I am just a passive recipient of this sublime beauty.

Today I meet (on the phone) a decedent of JS Bach. This was the first person I have ever run across with the Bach surname, so I had to ask. Made my day, and I think hers too. I take it she doesn't run into many Bach connoisseurs.

I think frequently about my first rig and music collection. It was a bunch of 78s, mostly of pre WWII vintage, and this huge 78 rpm player that sat on the floor of my bedroom. I used to listen for hours at a time.

I cannot imagine life without music.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Mapman,
Your Triangle Titus has a 4 ohm load. My understanding is that the crossover is very simple (one capacitor on the tweeter) so it's likely an easy load and relatively favorable for a SET type amplifier. This speaker is said to be transparent and clear so it should allow the Dynamo's innate character to flourish with little editorialization. It seems as though it could potentially be a very good match. The Dynamo has 4 and 8 ohm speaker taps to experiment with.
Charles,
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