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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
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Can someone who has handled one of the Coincident Dynamo 34SE amps comment on the build quality?
mikirob
955 posts
 
Hi Rebbi,

The build quality is high. A mini tank. You will be able to pass this amp on to your grandchildren.

My BlackTreasure 6CA7 tubes finally arrived from Grant Fidelity on Monday. I've been burning them in since then. I can already hear that they are going to be better than the Gold Lion KT77, RFT Simens NOS EL34 and Shuguang EL34B. Will report later as they continue to burn in. In my system the bass has been extremely good, a SET that rocks. Not slow, syrupy. The PRaT has been right on. This is not hyperbole.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
I am rereading this thread again, and want to thank all of you for the extraordinarily useful information contained herein!
Still leaning toward one of the Decware amps. Again, it'll depend on how much I get for my Manley gear... the Mahi's are currently for sale on Audiogon by the way.
But y'know... I was taking another look at the AudioNote kits. Their basic 300b kit runs $2200, while the tricked out version of the same amp with the fancy-pants transformers and premium parts runs $3450.
Anybody heard these?
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Keep us posted on your new amp Rebbi, I'd be most interested in your impressions with the Decapos.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Rebbi,
Roxy54 has a AN kit 300b with the upgraded output transformers and Jupiter Cu foil capacitors, he loves it. I would say if comes down to how much do you want to spend? Now it becomes value at a given price point.
1) Dynamo/Decware 1200.
2) AN Kit 300b 2200-3450.
3)Frankenstein 6000.
All represent money well spent at their respective cost cost.
Charles,
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