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Would You Rather Own A Good SET Amp, Or A Great Push Pull Amp?

Throwing this out there because I would appreciate the viewpoints of the many knowledgeable, and experienced audio people here. I'm really torn about a decision I am considering in this regard. And no, sorry, I cannot name the amps involved. I could lose one or both options if I publicized them here. And honestly, only the tiniest fraction of forum members would ever have listened to even one of these options. 

The speakers they would be used with can equally accommodate either of these choices per the designer/manufacturer, who I ran it by. 

Your thoughts would be appreciated. 

nightfall
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,392 posts
 

Best of both worlds and the New Pathos Inpol amp uses the vacuum tube as part of the gain stage and also in pure class A  in a true dual mono design ,

verypopulsr in Europe  in the U.S a boutique 35+ year own company 

all made in. Italy and a work of art !

ghdprentice
8,123 posts
 

Whichever sounds better / more to your taste. Sorry, that may sound unhelpful. But I never make decisions on technology.  Any component is the product of the design vision and components. If you can't hear them then do a number of AI searches comparing the sound quality of the two. Read reviews. 

I have an amp that operates in linear and triode mode (no secret Audio Research REF 160s). The difference is small but important... I always run it in triode mode. I would have still ended up with this amp even if it only had one mode. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,979 posts
 

Have to go with great over good. 

jond's avatar
jond
6,062 posts
 

It depends on the amp in question and matches with the speakers. Currently using 2a3 SET monos but I've used and loved PP amps as well.

nightfall OP
226 posts
 

Again, per the speaker manufacturer, either will work well with the speakers I have. 

I have loved SETS for a long time, but I simply cannot afford a "great SET". And, being retired, never will. 

I have no opportunity to listen to the specific push pull amp I am considering, but did hear its predecessor at an audio show, quite some time ago, and was left amazed. I am absolutely certain, based on a great deal of research, further show reports,  and many specific reasons, that it is unquestionably world class. 

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