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Integrated S.E.T Amp and Bookshelf Speakers Recommendations

Greeting! When I was looking for a CD transport replacement I received great info and advice here.

Now that les fil #3 is adulting, I have my own office/library/hiding place. I am exploring lower wattage integrated SET amps and higher efficiency (92+) bookshelf stand-mount speakers, with a relatively flat signal response. I listen to lots of jazz; smaller chamber music groups and Early Music; acoustic bluegrassy, folk and the like. 

I'm looking for an amp that can do the following- liquid tonality with instruments; good realism and immediacy with voices; solid 3 dimensionality; sweet and airy treble; and defined decays. I want it all, lol.

I'm going to audition the following because these are names I have read about.

Elekit TU8600R, UnisonTriode 25, Sophia Electric Prodigy Dual Mono. Any others?

As far as speakers-Audio Note and Harbeth. Any others?

Budget-I'm listening and learning.

Anyone have any thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks again!

David

128x128wharfy
larryi
4,033 posts
 

If you are auditioning AudioNote amps, check out the Oto and Soro; they are a bit more than the Cobra but are much better.  In the Cobra’s price bracket, the Synthesis Audio integrated is much better.  I heard them side by side in a direct comparison playind  Audio Note AN-K, Harbeth 30.2 and ProAc Tablettes.  The higher up Synthesis amplifiers, like the A40 or A!00 models are better still and can anchor a truly great system.

Triangle speakers do have a slightly bright top end, but with good tube amps, they should not be harsh.  J.M. Reynaud speakers are a bit warmer and also good.  I would add ProAc to the list of speakers to audition too.  For something different, see if you can audition the open baffle speakers from Pure Audio Project (maybe st a show, I think they sell direct).  Their Trio 15 models sell for around $7500 and are shockingly good for the money.

glenmschneider
24 posts
 

+1 for Riparian. 
I too am a Triode Lab owner and would highly recommend.

I use are the SET 45 ffx Monoblocks which sound fantastic and have driven numerous speakers well, including Spatial Audio X5s, Pearl Acoustics Sibelius, and Joseph Crowe BLH 2095s.

good luck!

glen

wharfy's avatar
wharfy OP
334 posts
 

Update--I have auditioned the Simply Italy, an Elekit 8600S, the Quicksilver EL84 integrated, and an Audio Note OTO. Yes, it's been a very busy couple of days. Paired them with my friend's Super Tablette, his Focal 906 Arias, and his Closer Acoustics OGY bookshelf loudspeakers.

Since I already have a resolving slightly on the warm side balanced system (Audio Research), I wanted a lower powered amp with "liquid chocolate" sound characteristics like an SET, EL84, that wouldn't break the bank, for a 120 sq ft room. So far, I like the Simply Italy. It is a push/pull amp using EL 34s and 12AU7s. Compared to my ARC-based system, the sound characteristics of the Simply Italy are fluid, at a tad sweet, while still having a dynamic signature characteristic of push/pull tube-based amps.Cost-wise, it's not going to break the bank and irritate my budget conscious sweetie. WAF is real!

As far as speaker choice-Based on what I heard, am reading both here (thanks!) and other internet sites, I'm excited by exploring full range driver speakers. At this time, of the speakers I auditioned the OGY is the one that excites me. It's a full-range driver, small footprint, bookshelf speaker, that is 8 Ohms, 91 db efficiency. It  is also compatible with lower watt amps. On a purely an emotional level the OGY sounded natural, detailed sound with a surprisingly large 3D soundstage for its size.

What are other full-range drivers worth auditioning, in the $2K price range

Thanks again!

David

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