Choice between two different integrated tube amps (SET & PP)

The Willsenton runs 48wpc, so power output may not be issue. I owned PL Dialogue Four, self modded with Takman and MIflex caps, until very recently. I also own 845 and 300B SET amps. High power SET creates lots of heat, heat is enemy of audio components, 48wpc is an awful lot of power for SET vs even the 18-20wpc of 845 tube, so I'd expect even more heat from 805 amp, plus you have active line stage which mean more heat, all on circuit boards within relatively small enclosure. The Willsenton scares me, I like to see point to point, separate line stage or at least passive linestage here. And yep, 1000v is nothing to laugh at, any failures will be catastrophic. If you were intent on SET, I'd prefer Line Magnetic, assuming it has enough wattage for your needs.

The Willsenton could have very nice sound quality, perhaps better than PL, but based on reliability and build quality I'd go with the PL. Any possible issues with PL will also be taken care of by Upscale, very good techs there.

I gave a general endorsement of SET above but I think SNS has some great comments about tube choice, heat and power.

With your very efficient speakers you don't need 48 wpc.  20 is plenty.  LM makes a lot of SET amps with a variety of different tubes that run (at least a little) cooler.  

I would still avoid the PL push pull design. 

Jerry

LM is another option that I'll look into but I've had a Muzishare integrated which most say is just a LM amp.  We are all talking Chinese amps, which I have no problem with but I don't get how one would be so much better than the other quality wise other than service domestically.  

The LM 805IA is almost the same exact amp as the Willsenton, at least from a casual glance, maybe I'm missing the major differences?

Agree that the PL has better service access if needed. I run KT150 power tubes in my PL and this is a massive sonic difference from the EL34. The PL is built like a tank and I am confident of its long term reliability. I Owned an SET amp for many years and the sonic presentation can be very seductive. However, generally speaking, SET amps require very careful speaker matching

Great comments above!

I think SET is something to experience. It can be intoxicating, but as mentioned speaker pairing is key and they can be a bit fickle. What speakers are you using? 

PL does just about everything really well--design, build, service, reliability, and so on.  However, if I had a sonic bone to pick it might be headroom.  Everything seemed a bit jammed together sound wise and even though I had the opportunity over 4 years to run it with all types of speakers, everything seemed a bit compressed.  Great product though. 

Let us know what speakers you have when you have a moment.