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Speaker Suggestions for 300b SET Amp

I built an Elekit 8600 300b set amp recently.  It's amazing. I maxed out upgrades (all Takman resistors, Mundorf top end caps, solder/wiring, etc.).  It's a wonderful amp. It cost me $2k to build it and it's glorious.


My issue hasn't been the amp, but finding speakers that I want to use with it.  


I started with Omega XRS 8 Juniors (~$2k). I broke them in for 300 hours and, while they did get better, they largely sounded like the top and bottom ends were just truncated off at both ends the sound spectrum. They sounded more akin to a transistor radio speaker. I feel terrible to say that and I hope others really love them and hear them differently, as the company is great and the owner is wonderful. They just weren't for me.


So, I just paired the 300b up with some inefficient speakers (both KEF LS50s and Wharfedale 80th anniversary Dentons). Both speakers were part of other systems I have.  Both sets, and especially the cheaper Wharfedales, just sing with the 300b.  They do not play particularly loud given their efficiency ratings, yet they sound wonderful for very close nearfield listening. 


But what I'd like to do is go a bit more into the full range speaker category without buying a massive product. Or, I consider a smaller bookshelf/monitor if it were more efficient.


What speakers do folks like with their 300bs?  


128x128jbhiller
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
One aspect missing from this type of discussion (though no fault of atmasphere) is input from talented builders of successful SET amplifiers.  Not to argue or necessarily disagree with atmasphere but to on an equal footing (As highly competent builders/designers) explain why SET can sound so "right" and pure. 

This forum lacks this SET manufacturer perspective so as a result SET attributes are left to satisfied/happy owners (such as myself) to share their listening experiences.  I can simply share what I hear versus other topologies (-subjective) but am not qualified to debate on engineering or technical grounds . 

I wish The builder of my Coincident or the builders of for example Viva,Audion,Triode Corp, Tron, Wavelength and many others would post here and explain why SET are so capable with the right speakers. For what ever reason this doesn't occur. 
Charles 
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,430 posts
 
I've built 2 SET kits and am working on another that's not a kit--ground up build.  I'm not an engineer and I'm still relatively new to this, but I think the SET toplogy also has another thing going for it--the signal doesn't have to crossover. 

I think in a traditional push/pull design the signal has to be split into positive and negative because you have several tubes running one channel.  That split has to be put back into one, which leads to a distortion (arguably).  In my mind, I liken it to how digital breaks stuff up only to put it back together into an analog whole later on before it hits the listener.

The allure of SET is that it's simple, cleaner and more straightforward--arguably.  That's supposed to result in a pureness that listeners like.  

I cannot comment on whether SET v. PP produces more or less even/odd harmonics. 
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
@jond Thanks for the reply.  I will keep an eye out for used.

jond's avatar
jond
5,841 posts
 
@ghosthouse  These are listed now just FYI.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
Thanks, jon...checking them out.  Probably above what I'm prepared to budget (didn't know anything about their prices).  Am interested in replies to jbhiller's post as I'm at least window shopping for something else to pair with a First Watt F7.  Prelude Pluses working fine so don't ask why.  
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