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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
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,
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,739 posts
 
Charles,

Yup, I'm with you 100% on all your points.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Brownsfan,
Your experience mirrors my own. My father, mother, uncle and other relations were musicians. My uncle had a large pre WWII collection of 78s, he lived in the house next door and I too spent hours upon hours listening to them. Between my parents and uncle we always had great music rigs in either house plus live music. My uncle had, beside the 78s, more than a thousand records, my parents perhaps half that many. Boy, I wish that I could have gotten some of those discs and rigs; but sadly it was no to be.
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