What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Saki, I'm still lurking. I'm pretty busy now maintaining two houses and trying to get the new one set up for my wife and dogs.
Your question is hard to answer. I'm fairly articulate,but I may need to resort to some analogies.

I have a nice little red accord couple with a 6 speed manual and a V6 engine. It's fun to drive and it scoots pretty good. Compare it to a red porche 911. Also fun to drive and scoots pretty good. If you got Porche money, go for it. If you have accord money, it's a great car. Be happy and have fun.

Or how about this. Look at a print of a Monet, then go to a museum and look at the original. Then try to explain to someone who has seen neither why the original is worth millions and the print is worth $1.98.

Same way with the amps. If you have 1300,go for the dynamo. If you have 6k go for the Frank's.

The dynamo is in my opinion, a real achievement. If high voltage and current is not a requirement, it will play in the same league as amps costing more.
But the Frank's are something special. They convey music with a beauty that is to die for.

Rebbi, regarding the Dynamo's lack of input switching, I would suggest that you consider using it in conjunction with Decware's $329 passive switchbox. Both my technical instincts and my extensive experience with a lesser switchbox some years ago tell me that doing so would result in zero sonic compromise, at least in anything less than a vastly more expensive system.

And for the additional interconnects that would be required, consider Mogami 2534-based cable from Markertek, in whatever length is necessary. I and a number of other A'goners have used it with excellent results. Mogami 2534 is also the de facto cable of choice in the majority of studio and other professional applications, when terminated in a balanced configuration.

Regards,
-- Al

Rebbi,
You've done your homework based on the list of amplifier contenders.There isn't a bad choice among them and very likely anyone of them would make you happy long term. You're at a point where ther's little left to add, listening is the next step. The Dynamo with a small investment for switchbox and better recrifier tube is high value choice.

For more money you step into the realm of DHT tubes (300b and PX 25). The Art Audio PX 25 gets nothing but raves and for 2800.00 (or less) is a truly good deal IMHO.The Art Audio is said to use very good transformers and power supply. Me, I'd spend more and get the pure DHT Art Audio. I'm a buy what's really good and keep it very long term type of guy.
Charles,

Charles,
I think I'm going to have to let the Art Audio piece go. The seller told me that one of the PX 25 tubes is humming, and a little research seems to suggest that "cheap" PX 25 tubes (new, not NOS) are going for $500+ for a matched pair. That's a substantial added expense for me.
Given that you have a fondness for DHT tubes like the 300b, would you take a look at the ASL or even the Audio Note kit?
Steve

Steve,
of course, I think each of your candidates are very good amplifiers. Based on your list I felt the Art Audio have the highest level of part and built quality(and a bargain at 2800). To get similar quality output transformers in the AN Kit requires the C Core upgrade IMO. I certainly believe the "standard" AN Kit 300b is no doubt good quality. That's the thing, the higher level transformers just don't come cheap! The Frankenstein is 6K, but this cuys you custom Japanese double C Cores for the output,power and the interstage transformers. That's a lot of ultra quality iron.

I know less about the ASL amplifier but have read that they're good. Your speaker builder sure likes them so that counts for something. The AN Kit option leaves room for future upgrades if desired.If the transformer are too much money, I'd give serious consideration to at least getting upgraded capacitors if possible. Based on my experience these parts really do matter and will provide improved sound quality. Keep in mind Steve that DHT tubes are much more expensive than el34 types. However DHT tubes generally last a very long time(10K hours or more depending on amp circuit and operation points chosen).DHT are the oldest and more simpler design tubes but they make beautiful music in a well implemented amplifier. It will be a different presentation compared to your push pull Manley. Better sounding? that will be for you to decide, they are for me.
Charles,