2. amps-preamps
  3. 135532-109649

Decware and SET Low Power Tube Amps with Hi Efficency Speakers

Good morning folks,
In my never ending search for a new concept in music involving and primarily focused on "tube" sound I came across Decware.
So does anyone have either experience or an opinion on the products and especially the sound. Speakers I am considering among others but most likely to be Tekton Designs, Lores or possibly Pendragons.
Without digressing into a myriad of other conversations what does the forum think?

128x128eag618
seikosha
218 posts
 
I tried both my little Zen and Mini Torii amps on my little Harbeth P3ESR’s. While the Zen actually drove them better than the Mini Torii did, both sounded exactly like Larry described. Not something that I think anyone would want to live with. As I mentioned before, you really want to be careful with the speakers that you match these up with and don't assume that they will work with every speaker no matter what the specs are.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I recently added a pair of Klipsch Heresy III speakers to my rig and their claimed 99db efficiency allows the use of very low power amps...2 to 3 watt SE stuff is popular with these things…so I assumed my Dennis Had SEP at 12 watts per side would work well, and it does, allowing "pre-distortion" levels far louder than I need. I have other speakers hanging around that have various levels of efficiency, and, of course, sound will emanate from them with any amp. But the fact that every little watt from the first one will provide sort of maximum detail in an efficient speaker seems like a good thing, and by being a proponent of this approach myself, I'm trapped in the efficient speaker zone…it sounds so good I don't mind really, but when reading reviews of any less than efficient speaker I now think…meh…trapped…I'm trapped...
frustee
10 posts
 
I'm using a Grommes PHI-26 in pentode mode (6 wpc) on a pair of PMC FB1i's.  The PMC's are rated at 90 db sensitivity with a pretty steady 8 ohm impedance. 
Wow, color me shocked.  I originally picked this unit up for headphones but it excels with these speakers.  Outside of ultimate loudness I prefer it to my Ultraverve 3 preamp/VTL MB125 combo.

Grinnell.  question for you.  When you insert a headphone jack into your Grommes will it mute the speaker output?  Mine doesn't.

Thanks, Frank
   














jsm71
141 posts
 

Decware has been around for many years and they have always played in the HE world.  I owned their Torii IV and later ZMA while I was becoming a tube guy.  I don't have efficient speakers so I needed their push pull models.

Zu, Tekton, and Klipsch are very common speaker partners for their gear.  I'd say Decware makes a very well built and attractive product, their pricing is very fair, and customer service is outstanding.  I'm no longer a customer, but I recommend them if SET amps and HE speakers are what you are looking for.  

eag618's avatar
eag618 OP
85 posts
 
JSM71 Thanks for speaking up, my interest is the sound, the volume available and the speakers are going to be Tekton Pendragons.

This is a great forum but the contributors here are easily taken off topic and distracted, I am less concerned with what's sitting on your audio cabinet than I am with answers to my questions, sorry folks but the question was SET amps from Decware and the sound, any experience you have and how does it pair with the Tektons, small room, near field listening.

I don't want to insult anyone, I want my topic to remain on put!
More to discover