SET 45 Amp Driving Dynamic Speakers

Inna and Charles,  I've experienced some really engaging conversations with fellow audiophiles, discussing everything from the flow of electrons to the flow of notes.  The fun part comes when I tell them I don't own a table.   Suddenly, they look at me as if I have giant lobsters crawling out of my ears.  I do love vinyl, but I don't really like the work and frustration.  I love what vinyl can do so well, but I also like what really good digital can do well.   I have an extensive digital library and really have no desire to go back to vinyl.  That is no more likely than going back to SS amplification having enjoyed a really good 300B SET design.  I think Charles and I are in a good place.  Call us crazy if you want. 

If this shows up as a duplicate post, please ignore. . . 

My experience is similar to Charles. I have 101db efficient Zu Definition 4 speakers driven by an Ancient Audio 300b SET. Recently, the Ancient Audio amp required servicing; and I substituted an 80 watt per channel SS amp for a few weeks. The difference was noticeable, especially when I reinserted the SET tube amp. While listenable, the SS amp was lifeless and lacked tonal depth and immediacy by comparison. One curiosity (and I would be interesting in some opinions); I used the same, midpoint volume control setting on the pre-amp for both the SS and tube amps. The speakers are located at one end of a large (45' long x 16' high) open plan space; and I listen to a wide range or music from classical (chamber to full orchestra and chorus), jazz, classical rock, female vocals, etc. 

Gary

gsm18439,

No doubt an integrated subwoofer or two in play would change the game significantly and offload most of the work (which is always in producing the lower bass frequencies) from the SET. That is a very good way for any owner of a low powered amplifier to go. I would probably consider doing the same if needed. I’ve done it in the past with a mundane 15 watt SS amplifier and solved the problem practically and easily and with  top notch results.

One curiosity (and I would be interesting in some opinions); I used the same, midpoint volume control setting on the pre-amp for both the SS and tube amps.

The volume control setting that would be used is dependent on the gain of the amp (the ratio of voltage out to voltage in), not on the power rating of the amp. In general there tends to be some degree of correlation between amplifier gain and amplifier power capability, but the correlation is a loose one, and the relation between gain and power capability can vary widely among different designs.

The one Ancient Audio 300B amp for which I could find relevant specs is the Silver Grand Mono parallel SET, which is rated at 16 watts and 500 mv sensitivity. For its 8 ohm tap (assuming it has multiple taps) those numbers correspond to a gain of about 27 db, which is right in the ballpark of the gain of many medium powered solid state amplifiers.

Regards,
-- Al

Hi Gary,
The point Iwas attempting to make is what you and larry have noted regarding lower power (including SET) amplifiers. My Symphonic Line SS amplifier was really quite good sounding and I enjoyed it for nearly 3 years. It was powerful, refined, clear and dynamic. I really can not be critical of its performance and service.

Gary and larry alluded to the "lifeless" character of SS relatively speaking. This is precisely what I heard once I got my SET amplifier and Gary you’re right, it’s quite apparent. The tone and timbre took a step upwards, harmonic overtones were more developed and fleshed out. The flow,pace and musical timing were improved. The major overall effect in my system was increased presence,naturalness, vividness, simply more life and emotion.

Brownsfan,
I still enjoy listening to vinyl in other system’s very much, a good friend has a wonderful sounding Basis table and arm with an Aesthetic Phono stage. Yet I find high quality digital front end setups equally engaging. As with you I am not compelled to return to an analog front end. I’m deeply experiencing the musical message with digital these days.
Charles,