Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

Reb, does Brian agree at this point that the test you did with the problem tracks at Sebrof's with yours versus his amps confirms a problem? They are two different amp/designs for example. Frequency response differences in teh lower octaves alone for example might account for that if teh AN is attempting to put out more power at lower frequencies for example.

Seikosha's idea comparing apples and apples amps sounds like a good one to me. I'm not sure that output power ratings alone tell the whole story in regards to what to expect necessarily.

Also I would guess someone familiar with the amp like the AN tech or Brian could identify if the sonic effects of the amps clipping, which is undoubtedly bound to occur at some point, is as expected. For example, assuming soft clipping, teh volume might stop going up well before audible clipping occurs.

Just some more food for thought FWIW. Sounds like the best thing is for an expert in your particular amp to give it a once over in person, which is where you are heading.

REb, one other question I am curious about. Did your amp go louder at Sebrofs before clipping than at home with the Ref 3as? I would expect at least that assuming use with the more efficient speakers. Whether or not one amp rated a few watts higher than another would actually go as loud or louder in any particular case is a little greyer for me.

If the 86db efficiency number that you posted about earlier is accurate (that would explain some of my failed attempts at De Capo/SET pairings) a healthy version of your amp may still, unfortunately, turn out to be a mismatch.

Smctigue1:
You know, that'll be an interesting thing to see and I'll let everybody know what I find.
Brian thinks we may be zeroing in on the problem, by the way. It's just that I've been to jammed up at work the past few days to do much testing! :-(