SET 45 Amp Driving Dynamic Speakers

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,

The speakers I have lined up for eventual use with a SET or similar tube amp are Triangle Titus XS monitors which are quite small not not particularly extended in the bass but still marginally efficient. They are small but very good for their size and their sweet spot is playing at lower to moderate volumes.

As a result expectation is that a SET or OTL would excel with these perhaps more so than any SS amp. Those using these with tube amps report consistently excellent results. Adding powered subs (most use Class D amplifiers these days by the way)would likely provide what is missing, let the amp do the thing it does best (low distortion when not over driven) and make the system a true top performer.

" harmonic overtones were more developed and fleshed out "

That could be the pleasant 2nd order harmonic distortion Atmasphere pointed out perhaps?

If so who cares really. As long as it sounds good. Nobody ever said accurate reproduction of music always sounds best. Just like there are many ways to enhance a photo to make it look better. HDR on iphone cameras is a good example.  I use it all the time.

Mapman,
I believe you'll be happy with either a SET or OTL amplifier with those speakers.  I'm very familiar with the Atma-Sphere MA-1 and their 60 watt amplifiers.  Regarding SET just be sure to get one with good quality output transformers and well developed power supplies. These are the last areas to compromise if you want top sound quality. 
Charles,