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used SET amp under $1500 suggestion

As stated in another thread, I have problem of having too much gain in my system. I am considering buying a SET amp to drive a pair of Zu omen definition, and looking for suggestion. I have too options:

1) keeping my PrimaLuna Prologue 3 preamp and buy a SET power amp or mono block. I like the PrimaLuna sound, so, I prefer to keep it. However, in this case, my budge is under $1500. To work with the PrimaLuna, I need an amp with input impedance > 100k Ohm. And the PrimaLuna has a gain of 12 dB. My current McCormack has 30dB gain which is too loud. So .. likely, I prefer something not exceeding 20dB gain?

2) sell the PrimaLuan preamp, and replaced with an integrated SET amp. I prefer option 1 because I don't know if I will like the sound of the integrated. But if I get an integrated, my budget increase to $2500, and it seems it open up more choices.

I read the 6moons and other review, it seems the Almarro and Yamamoto are 2 highly recommended SET choices, but they are both quite expensive. Is there any other choices? Thanks in advance.
gte357s
david12
1,454 posts
 
I like tubes myself and tend to agree there is a big difference between Push/pull and SET amps. The latter appear to have more, drive and transparency, but can suffer at the frequency extremes. I am not sure SET can be done cheaply, they do depend on good, large, quality output transformers, which are'nt cheap.
I would tend to agree that the Almarro 318B, is truly excellent at the price. The output tube on it runs very hot and according to the engineer I use, has a higher failure rate than some other tubes. He should know, he is a specialist in tube amps
larryken
537 posts
 
like Zman I'm an Almarro fan....the 318B compares favorably to any price SET amp. Had the amp 4 years, never a tube failure, the big russian power tubes are only $40 each and if you bias correctly they run forever.
early's avatar
early
63 posts
 
Mastersound makes wonderful amps. They come up for sale in your price range.
jrinkerptdnet
430 posts
 
are you sure the problem lies with your pre or amp and not your source??? maybe your source has an unusually high output voltage??

I had an issue with the output voltage of a source using a passive pre with a SET amp. the volume control could only be used for about clicks (stepped attenuator) before the volume became too loud.

had a passive custom made with step-DOWN transformers to reduce the voltage of the source before the amp. worked like a charm!

email me if you'd like more info

Jeff
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Very good thread and advice for some one new to SET amplifiers. Darkmoebius, you are so correct with your advice concerning preamps, choose carefully! A good SET amp is capable of extraodinary nuance,inner detail and purity of tone. The preamp must be clear,transparent and have a low noise floor, or the advantages of the SET amp will be lost. Pay much attention to power supply built/quality(very important)transformer quality and circuit(usally the simpler and with fewer parts and stages the better). With your stated budgetof 2500.00 you can find a good high quality intergrated SET, for example a used Audio Space 300b. Just remain patient and you`ll have a fine sounding SET to drive your Zu speakers.
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