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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
 
Larryi,
Interesting perspective. Thank you for your thoughts.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
By the way, I was searching online forums and found a post where this guy bought a Decware "Rachael" amp to potentially replace his Manley Mahi's and reported that "within one song he knew the Decware blew the Mahi away." Just one person's experience but interesting to read.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,369 posts
 
Rebbi,

What speakers was that guy using? Decapos as well?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,369 posts
 
Also I wonder what the song was? If a chamber work, probably not a big challenge. If a symphony, Rush, Metallica, or a well recorded big band, I wonder if outcome would be the same?
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Map,
I don't know the answers to those questions because now I cannot find that post.
I'm not worried that the De Capo's can be driven to satisfying levels with an EL34-based SET amp. My room is medium small and I don't tend to listen at live-concert levels. And Tash Goka of Reference 3A told me that the Antique Sounds Lab 8 watt 300B SET was basically developed with the De Capo in mind. Plus, if you go back and read Tim Smith's Coincident Dynamo review on 6moons, he says that the Dynamo played satisfyingly "big" even on his less efficient Harbeth's.
So at this point I'm not worried about "if" SET, but "which" SET!
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