Best SET power amp below $5,000

I don't know of many under $5,000 SET amps, except the Elekit 300b amps.  It comes either assembled or as a kit.  I saw the instructions to the kit and the instructions are quite good and clear so I think anyone can build it if they have a little bit of experience with soldering, stripping wire, etc.  I like the sound of that amp even though I am generally not a 300b fan.  

I like low-powered tube amps, including SET amps.  I own a pair of Audio Note Kageki (parallel SET using 2a3 tubes).  But, many of my favorite low-powered tube amps are of the pushpull variety.  If I were in the market for really nice low-powered amps, I would be looking at 6L6 or KT66 or EL84 pushpull amps as well as SET amps.

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.

There is a lot to like about companies like Decware--they are generous with sharing designs and engaging with their customers, their construction is pretty solid, and prices are quite reasonable. But, the two amps of theirs that I heard I simply did not like--they sounded a bit lifeless and lacking in body.  One must hear each candidate, or have the ability to either get out of a deal or accept some loss in trading (not much of problem with Decware because it appears to retain value) if you don't get to audition the gear. 

This is the case with any amps, but, I think SET amps are particularly sensitive as to specific use because of their low power output and their typically quite high output impedance (meaning that they often don't work well with low impedance speakers).