Integrated S.E.T Amp and Bookshelf Speakers Recommendations

@dxbwineguy 

The three main French speaker brands - Triangle, Cabasse, and Focal. 

There are also Elipson and Waterfall. 

The replica Ongaku looks sick. I am looking to upgrade to a really nice SET amp for my main setup and that definitely pique my interest.

I would second the Audio Note recommendations.

For an integrated amp, one should also consider Triode Lab, the 2A3 EVO recently reviewed in Stereophile. Triode Lab makes excellent SET amps and SET integrated amps. Sure, I am biased because I am a happy Triode Lab customer.

For bookshelf speakers (preferably stand-mount), there aren't many 92 db sensitive and above. The NOLA Boxer as stand-mount speaker for SET amps is reasonably efficient, reasonably priced, and has great sound. 

https://speakerchoices.com/

sort by efficiency

For an office system (small room), if you play your system at modest levels, you can go with a SET amp with a higher efficiency speaker.  But, there really is no reason to only consider SET amps; they are not inherently superior to pushpull or output transformerless amps.  I own a pair of Audio Note SET amps which sound great, but my pushpull amp sounds even better and did not cost nearly as much. 
But, if you are determined to go SET, the Elekit is a VERY good bargain, particularly if you build it yourself.  I heard that amp in its basic configuration and it is nice sounding.  While it has a volume control, I think it is not an integrated amp because it does not have multiple inputs and an input selector knob.

Audio Note speakers will work with a low-powered SET.  They sell such amps to work with their speakers.  My local dealer runs AN-Es and AN-Js with a 6 watt Kageki and gets great sound out of that combination.  Finding the right speakers for lower-powered amps is a challenge.  The best choices are never bargain speakers.  I really like Charney Audio speakers and think they are very reasonably priced for their performance, but, that does not mean they are cheap.  The same goes with Volti speakers.  Some classic line Klipsch speakers, like the Cornwalls might work.  For a little more than $3,000 a pair, I was impressed with the Tekton Double Impacts and the Rethm Bhaava speakers.

If you expand your amp search a bit to non-SET amps, I think you should search out the Synthesis Audio line of pushpull amps.  These are fantastic for the money.

Wow! Thanks for the helpful responses. There is quite A LOT to "digest." Yogiboy and br3098, you are right about the Harbeths.

dekay-the room is 12" x 10.5", with 8.5" ceilings. It has a row of windows on 10.5" wall, with an entry door galley closets leading to a bathroom on the other wall. Because of room design the speakers will be placed on a 12" wall. Figuring with speakers away from the wall listening will be a nearfield experience.

dxbwineguy and auroravengeance-I appreciate your recommendations. Somewhere I read someone describing low powered amps and they used the phrase "liquid chocolate sound" which really resonated. Sometime in the past I read about the EL-84 Quicksilver integrated.

soix-we have discussed preamps and DAC’s in the past. I am going to add the De Capos to my list.