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Best SET power amp below $5,000

Curious to get the benefit of the knowledge in this forum.

I currently have a low power SET amp, paired with 94db loudspeakers. Sounds great, but tbh, I bought it 20 years ago, and even then, my process was not particularly thoughtful.

Not trying to start an argument about push-pull vs SET. Though I am not an electrician or sound engineer, my instinct is that a simpler circuit is better. At this point, I am just interested in what folks here think are the best options for SET amps—in the $5,000 price range. I am also open to the feedback that the price range is too limiting.

I am open to new or used and given the many years that vacuum tubes have been used for this purpose, curious if there is any technology advantage in newer products, holding their condition constant (ie comparing a 1950s era SET amp to a 2022 design, both in mint condition).

 

saulh
larryi
4,256 posts
 

There really has been no new development in SET design or components in the past 20 years, so, if you are thinking that a new model will embody better technology, that is NOT the case.  If you factor in inflation, you might in fact be moving in the wrong direction.  SET amps are very simple in design, but, that does not mean they are cheaper to build because they put very heavy demand on the build of the output transformer.  That is the most expensive part of any amp, and with SET amps, the transformer must be of special design, quite large, and well built.  This means that a good SET amp is not cheap.  

I've heard the PX25 and it is a pretty good amp.  I doubt that you can do better at anything near $5,000.  If you are willing to at good pushpull amps at an expanded price range, you might find something worth investing in, but, you need to find dealers who will lend you gear to try at home to really know what will work for you.  In moving above the PX25 level, you need that kind of service or you need to be willing to gamble.

sns
3,751 posts
 

Nothing wrong with your present amp, although any electrolytic caps may be due for changing out, I previously owned Art Audio SET.

 

Yeah, these designs tried and true, in some cases parts quality has gone up. At present I have custom built 300B SET monoblocks and Coincident 845 Turbo. With custom build you can do spec build such as I did with OCC silver wired output transformers and internal wiring, massive power supplies, and at relatively lower price vs. off the shelf. Some other SET manufacturers I like include Aric, Dennis Had(previously owned Cary amp), Audio Mirror, Line Magnetic, sure other's I'm forgetting.

 

I'd also carefully consider which output tube to run with 94db sensitivity, I'd guess your at low end of scale with present PX25, may be interesting to try more powerful output tube such as 300B or even 845 tubes, 845 will likely give massive impact, dynamics with present speakers vs PX25

danager's avatar
danager
979 posts
 

I'd never heard of PX-25.  So I read a review.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0801/artaudiopx25.htm

Sounds like a keeper to me.  If you just  have a couple of thousand to spend.  (New amp minus reselling the old one)  you might consider just a cap upgrade.  Finding a reliable tech might be difficult but probably not impossible.  As long as you have access to new tubes I would think you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding amp in that price range,  different but probably not better.

saulh OP
56 posts
 

@mwjones it sounds amazing, but it's the first tube amp I ever bought, so it may be a grass/greener thing, but I want to see if there is anything else out there, even if I never sell the PX25.

danager's avatar
danager
979 posts
 

If you’re in no hurry (up to a 2 year wait) Decware is releasing a new 300B amp that according to the owner/builder is supposed to be pretty darn special. I haven’t seen a price yet but should be in that $5000 range.

(Note) if you want to dump your PX-25 at a good price hit me up 😁

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