TRL Dude Dilemna

The Duelund caps are the coupling caps. I also put these in and Pat and I are amazed at the sound. Keep in mind they cost $400 for the set of 2. We purchased the 3.3 uf value. They are first rate caps and very expensive.

They replace the small caps located towards the front of the Dude. The ones laying on their side. Your's are most likely white MIT caps.

Improvement can be heard in all area. Yes, all areas. Not a slight difference, but rather obvious. More of the Dudeness comes out. More of everything you love about the Dude. It does not change the character of the Dude at all. Just more dynamic, more extended bass and highs, improved air and tone, bigger stage etc....

One other thing I must tell Dude owners. Tube rolling is another place to really have fun with. Not just the 6sn7's , but the 6080 and OD3 in the power supply. I purchased NOS tubes for these positions from Andy at Vintage Tube Services and wow was the improvement nice. He selected nice RCA tubes for me that test perfectly.

The combined impact of the tubes and Duelund caps is amazing and a must for Dude owners. I also use 1940 RCA 6sn7 tubes from Andy.

While I am at it. Get Paul's power cord on the Dude. When you do these things your Dude will be in the best shape of its life and will treat you to tunes delivering unsurpassed joy and smiles. Really!

One more thing I really need to add. Paul has a great ear and uses coupling caps in the Dude that are neutral sounding and of high quality. Understand I am a budding DIY guy and have modified amps, speakers etc... I enjoy it and am learning. Paul knows more about sound and electronics in one hair on his head then I do.

I rolled a bunch coupling caps in the Dude and the Duelund Alexander caps are the only ones i liked better then Paul's stock caps. This is my preference folks. I do believe they improved the sound in all the ways I mention. In my system, room, and my ears.

Dude fan mail aside, the OP's central issue is how to find the right amp (with SET-like attributes) that will mate with the Dude. Tellefsen, what about the Dude's performance seemed subpar?

Tthean has used the Dude with a 8W SET and horns and was pleased with the results, but the impedance specs are???

Tuongsy, aren't you (and Gallantdiva) in Dallas like Tellefsen? He needs to hear the Dude with TRL tube amps. That will aid his decision-making regarding the Dude....

I am so happy that my preamp is direct coupled with transformers, so I don't have to worry about capacitors in the signal path. I, however have know doubt that the Duelund's are the best caps going right now.

Direct coupled with transformers is one way to go, but according to the builder of the Dude it has sonic disadvantages - and certainly in his design. Most amps have ample input impedance and only a few can cause some rolling off at the extremes. A Dude owner has his Dude mated with a Pass Labs 350.5 and loves the combo. That amp has an input impedance of 25k ohms I believe.

One can never underestimate the power of system matching regardless of how the piece was designed.