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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
saki70
907 posts
 
Brownsfan ;
Thank you so much for your reply .
I don't mean to be a pest but ...
I did not mean for you to compare the Dynamo to the Frankenstein per se .
I wanted to get your take on the difference , in sound characteristics , between an EL-34 tube and a 300B tube in the same type of SET circuit . I figured that because these two amps were designed and built by the same artist that this would be about as fair of a comparison as is possible for these two 'different' tubes in the same type of circuit .

If you would be so kind .
Thank you
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Saki,Got it. There are others on this thread that could better answer your question. I am rather new to tube amps.
Further, I wouldn't generalize based on the dynamo and the Frank's. They are both Israel's designs, but there are huge differences in transformers, driver tubes, etc.
For what it is worth, which is not much, I'd say the dynamo is a bit more of a classic tube sound. Lots of midrange bloom. The franks have a richness and harmonic sophistication across the frequency spectrum that is unique in my experience.
I encourage others with more experience to contribute their thoughts.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Brownsfan ,
You are correct. Differences are more than output tube. The Frankenstein has the advantage of bigger and better transformers and power supply as well as better parts, this is very significant. The Dynamo is an excellent budget conscious amp. The Franks are Israel Blume's all out statement SET quest. Very different objectives, the Franks are honestly sublime amplifiers.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Charles, can you offer any general thoughts on el34 vs. 301b designs? It is an interesting question.
mikirob
955 posts
 
Saki, I believe you stated you own the Primaluna Prologue integrated, which I know intimately. I also own the Primaluna One with excellent upgraded tubes from the stock tubes. I also know this integrated intimately. Both my wife and I like the Coincident better with the various Tekton speakers we own, especially the M-Lore. Granted it is a close call, but the Coincident is the winner in our view. The Primaluna is a really good amp, versatile, great tube rolling possibilities; but for some reason both my wife and I think the Coincident is more organic, the music flows better. The tone, timbre, bass and dynamics are better on the Dynamo as now constituted. I admit that I haven't experienced every option on the Primaluna Dialogue. Tim Smith said that the Primaluna is twice as good with KT120s over the EL34s. I don't know? Since the Coincident has only 2 power tubes as opposed to 4 in the Primaluna it's much less expensive to operate with premium tubes.
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