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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
 
Charles1dad,
Spoke with David at Common Sense Audio about modding the 300b amp. He opined that the whole modding thing is bullish*t. He said that they did many prototypes and listened to many different parts and simply chose the ones that sounded the best. He said, "yes, you can mod it, but it'll sound worse."
So there you go.
larryi
4,275 posts
 
Gsm18439,

Your comments about the sound of the 2a3 and 45 amp illustrate how important it is to hear these different tubes. Yes, the 2a3 and 45 ARE leaner sounding tubes. Both, particularly the 45, CAN actually deliver deeper bass than the 300b, but, neither have the big, fat, upper bass that so many listeners love about the 300b. Personally, I like the 2a3 and 45 more than the 300b because, in my system, the 300b sounds too bloated and lumpy in the bass range. I particularly like the 45, but for the very low output of that tube.

Rebbi,

If you are willing to take a little bit of a gamble, go with the interesting, low-cost alternatives mentioned here. If you want more of a sure thing, go with the Audionote kit. The kits are quite reasonably priced and Audionote provides good instructions on how to build them. I have heard most of their lineup of amps and they all sound very good. I have not heard a kit amp, but, a good friend of mine built their DAC4 kit and it is a particularly good DAC for the money.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rebbi,
Regarding David's comments, it isn't surprising. He may believe his carefully chosen parts yield the best sound and he may be right. Builders vary in their opinion on "upgrade" parts. He seems to suggest that aspect has been covered via listening/testing process. Speculation is all you have until you can personally listen. Mdemaio was certainly impressed and that's all we have to go by at this point. The 1000.00 cost difference(AN vs Audio Nirvana) represents established vs the new upstar factor. I get the sense David's amp "might" be more of an all out assault than the Bottlehead (only a gut feeling, nothing more).
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Charles1dad,
Did you mean Bottlehead or Audio Note in that last comment.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rebbi,
I meant Bottlehead. You had mentioned them earlier and pricewise they compete with the Audio Nirvana. I realize I did just pop them into my last post. I'm curious to see what you select from this strong list of contenders.
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