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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
 
Roxy 54,
This is great to hear, thanks for chiming in!
I am glad to hear as well that the 300b tubes are decent for a starter. I'm not sure what the brand of the caps is; in the invoice he describes it as "silver gold oil." So, we'll see.
I had also read somewhere that a better volume attenuator helps. I'll ask Brian.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rebbi,
Roxy54 gave you excellent advice regarding the volume control. This is an overlooked but important part affecting sound quality. Please get the best you can comfortably afford,you'd be surprised by the difference they make. Are you getting the Mundorf silver/gold oil caps or the Audio Note copper foil? I'm in no way telling you what to do, but if you get the good stuff/parts there's no looking back! You'll have a first rate 300b SET for just a few more dollars.
Again, congratulations.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Roxy54,
I googled the Khozmo attenuator and I suspect it's much better than the standard Alps volume control.
mdemaio's avatar
mdemaio
62 posts
 
Nice choice. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,045 posts
 
Hi Charles,
Yes, I was lucky that by chance as I was getting this built, I happened upon a forum where the Khozmo was mentioned. I researched it further, and called Brian who had one and sent it to Pete the builder who had already installed the Alps. He took it out and put in the Khozmo. Apparently, it's a precision resistor ladder type of attenuator. Not the fanciest by any means, but very good for the money, and better sounding than the Alps.
Rebbi,
The caps that Brian is speaking of are Mundorf gold silver oil. They were the standard issue in my version. I would look into the Jupiters, again if it is within the limits of what you want to spend, because they are said by those who know a lot more than I do to compare favorably with the very expensive Duelund caps. I only know that it sounds very good, and didn't cost too much. Like you, I didn't want to do things twice. They fit into the amp very well with no strange accommodations needed. When I had Pete build the ANK 2.1 DAC for me, I specified Duelund caps, and he had to put them in a different place due to their large size.
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