SET the best?

Not necessarily.  I own two low-powered pushpull amps (both custom builds) and a very good SET amp (Audio Note Kageki), and even limiting the analysis to my personal taste, my particular room and my system, I cannot say that any particular amp is unequivocally the best.  I have a relatively SET friendly speaker system (99 db/w efficient) which is also necessary because my pushpull amps are also very low in output.  My overall favorite amp is the pushpull 349 amp (5.5 watts/channel), but, it doesn't deliver the subtle tonal qualities in deep bass that the Kageki can deliver (it sounds more punchy than the Kageki, but this punch is a bit "mechanical" in its sameness). 

I think that the best amp I've ever heard is an OTL amp that is also a custom build.  It manages to deliver the explosive dynamics and liveliness one expects from an OTL while not being the least bit harsh and edgy.  The next best is a pushpulll 252 amp (a tube similar to the 300b, but not murky and bloated sounding) that I heard side-by-side with the Kageki that made the Kageki sound limp and drab.  The next amp on my personal favorite list would be the Audio Note Gaku-On (parallel SET) or my 349 amp.    

oldhvymec3,796 posts09-28-2021 12:47amWow!

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I'm not done yet.
Poor  Jadis
Now that the real news is starting to go viral, 
SETs are back as the new high tech WBers are in
Leaves no place for big hefty PP amps..\
Not sure what Jadis was thinking.
They offer maybe 1 set amp. 
The future is 100% SET.
Here is what went down
95%+++ of all USA audiophiles jumped on the 
high impedance/low sens/big box xover types.
You know Wilson's, vandersteens, magnepans, Von Schweigert's, Thiels....so Jadis went where the money is, A-Z big box speakers require PP amps besides the avg USA audiophile loves adores massive soundstage SPL and monsterous size bass slam.
Places SETs at a slight disadvantage
So Jadis knowing what the consumer demands, made all its models PP amplification.

Now with everything headed to SET/high sens speakers.. Jadis is going have serious issues trying to play catchup, when you can get a  great chinese SET for under $3G's. 

Over the comming decades you'll see big PP amps dumped along with big box speakers on the cheap.
SET + high sens speakers will be The Bomb. 
I see Larry is trying to market his PP votes and a  OT amp.

Can't agree
After my experience with a  SET + WBers, sadly my Jadis will collect dust.
I have $2K recent mods done and am not going to sell.
EDU, EDU,
WE need to educate the newbies about SET's as magical magnifience, Pure music, finesse, super high fidelity and lush mids, solid bass, glorious highs.
Sure we are only talking a  miniscule gains in these areas, but its a rather nice modification in fidelity vs a  PP's pure POWER energy.
Also note this 250 tube SET has  bass slam as good, better than  the Defy's 100 pure true watts.
6+6 SET  wattts, = same as Jadis ' 100 true watts.

Go figure..
We need to demystify these SETs, 
there is alotttt of misunderstanding about what these amplifiers are capable of. 

Its all about using the linestage vol control, 
PP amps  make awaeful limitations on how much  gain you can use,, whereas SET's give freedom on the vol pot.

This is what I mean about **only a  nuance,,but a  significant  nuance**

Someone mentioned presence earlier in thread. I started off many years ago with ss, then class A ss, next push pull tube, finally SET tube. My first SET was 845, smitten with sense of presence, could also be called immediacy, right from the beginning. SET brings performers into room like no other topology. Add horns to the mix and this sense further heightened.
Also, modern sounding SET amps don't roll off highs and have round, fat tubby bass. My present system is rather neutral flavored, can even veer off into analytical territory at times. One can flavor SET as well, I've had 2a3, now have custom built 300B monoblocks, Coincident Turbo 845, Art Audio Carissa Sig. 845 and Prima Luna Dialogue Four with diy mods, push pull amp. Each of the SET has it's particular sound, all bring sense of live performers in room. And I play every genre of music, some may think EDM (electronic dance music) couldn't possibly sound good with SET, quite the opposite. As for large scale classical, I would say I've heard greater sense of scale with wonderful high powered ss. Still, my SET pretty nice with this music. Rock, jazz, folk, etc. , all smaller scaled more intimate music, they all work with my setup, my playlists all over the place when I'm streaming music.
I will never leave SET, live performers in room, ability to change flavors, micro dynamics just amazing, sufficient macro dynamics with correct speakers, transparency that just amazes. Whats not to like!

I will never leave SET, live performers in room, ability to change flavors, micro dynamics just amazing, sufficient macro dynamics with correct speakers, transparency that just amazes. Whats not to like!

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Bravo
SETs are the   marraige of King to Queen.
But look at whats most often talked about here.
Big PP amps and low sens speakers.
I plan to get a  budget chinese 845.
The Defy  with new Mundorf high end caps, Takman resistors will most likely`~ collect dust.
Poor Mr Jadis.... so sad,......ARC in Minnesota as well....
The sign of the times,,, 

I see a  change up ahead...
As the poet sang


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE