SET vs PSET

Maybe, I can help jump start your post by providing a mediocre technical response. I think the purists may say, that the single SET tube option sounds best, because the entire signal going in, is the same signal coming out. So, the signal path is not being split apart and then reassembled. That's all I can offer, good or bad, as I've been exploring my own SET amp options and have been wondering the same thing.

One example of production, would be Border Patrol's S10 (SET) and S20 (PSET) 300B amp options. The S20 is for driving less efficient speakers, but the starting costs of both amps are the same. I may be wrong, but if your speakers don't require the extra power, why not go for the simpler circuit?

I'm not sure, but the extra power of some PSET designs may provide greater authority, so better overall control and balance across the frequencies, while the single SET solution gives you the best midrange. It may be that the choices come down to how the sound is presented to you, so not really a "better" answer.

Hopefully, someone will chime in and help clear up any BS I may have added..

This is an often discussed point for those in the SET world.Some will say the problem with PSET is getting both tubes to work in an identical manner. They say one tube does more than the other (they don't stay in a equal balanced harmony). Others strongly dispute this claim and say "proper" design and execution overcomes this problem. I tend to lean toward the latter camp and believe good implementation is the key for successful PSET amplfiers. I use a single tube(SET) but I don't need the additional power PSET provides. If added power isn't required, a single output tube is nice and simple.
Charles,

To me, the issue may even be a bit more complicated. While I agree with Charles that proper implementation may help to overcome the theoretical disadvantages of PSET, it is likely to be more expensive. As a result, if one does not need increased power, then SET makes the most send. However, if one DOES need increased power, then the other comparison is PSET using lower power tubes (300b, 2a3, 45) versus SET using higher power tubes (845, 211, EL34).

Hi Kennythekey,

"the signal path being split apart and then reassembled" is a description of how a push-pull amp works.
PSET amp does not split the signal, the driver tube simply drives the two output tubes via a capacitor or interstage transformer and those two tubes output are combined into the output transformer.
Jet