VAC 30/70...pick your pre?

Thanks for clearing that up Charles. From you other posts, I've always taken you as an amp first guy, because you always seem to recommend SET amps, regardless of speaker selection.

Personally, I struggle to believe that the OP's Wharfedale Jade 5's (87 dB, 6 ohm) can be driven best by a SET amp.

Perhaps I have been misreading you. I also believe in the 'weakest link' methodology. So we are on the same page.

So I'm coming to believe that perhaps I should change my speakers first, and ones that are more efficient to allow for a greater breadth of amp choice.  I'm imagining 92db and greater then if I want to use SET down the line? A number I enjoyed yesterday, ATC, spendor, harbeth all seem to be right around my 87db rating.  

Yes, more efficient speakers would definitely help if you seek to run an SET amp.

Look for names like Daedalus Audio, DeVore Fidelity, and Coincident, are among a few manufacturers who make more SET friendly speakers.
I'm sure that Charles can recommend more lines.

Cheers,
John

Thanks John, I have looked at the Devore orangutan in the past and almost purchased, until I got the wharfedales as a demo for nearly 75% off. I guess I'm honestly not 100% set on SET, but have liked what I hear from a 300b.  Even in some of the pentode/triode/ul switchables, the triode is a preferred voicing to me unless it's bass heavier music (zeppelin, hendrix and some older funk).  I'm open to opinions there and everywhere.  Honestly just trying to make it all improve over time, may be quick or may take a year or so to rebuild it all.  Best, Paul 

I’m imagining 92db and greater then if I want to use SET down the line?

Another factor that is equally important is that the speaker’s impedance should have relatively minimal variation as a function of frequency, or should be relatively high at all frequencies. Or both.

The Daedalus Ulysses that I use, and that a couple of others who have posted above use or have used (also with VAC Renaissance push-pull 300B amplifiers), have a 6 ohm impedance but combine an extraordinarily flat impedance curve with 97.5 db efficiency and high power handling capability. Which makes them exceptionally versatile with respect to amplifier selection. However I believe they cost upwards of $16K presently, if purchased new. Some of their smaller models, though, having a bit less efficiency and somewhat less deep bass extension, can be had new for something like half that amount.

The various Coincident models, one of which Charles uses, are also very versatile with respect to amplifier selection, and are certainly worth considering. As well as the relatively low priced (~$3K) Tekton Double Impact he mentioned, which in addition to being a remarkable bargain seems likely to be friendly to many SETs (especially those having relatively low output impedance), despite its 4 ohm nominal impedance. You may want to take a look at the current thread in which it is discussed extensively, and comments are provided by many ecstatic users:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/tekton-double-impacts

Regards,
-- Al