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New SET Amp

I currently own a Cary 300SEI. It's a single ended 300b tube amp. It's my first experience with SETs. I'm thinking about trying something different but don't see a lot of SET's produced by well known companies. I guess what I'm trying to say is; I like Cary because they have a nice reputation, have been around awhile and are made here in the USA. It'd be nice to try another SET by a similar company (Conrad Johnson, Mcintosh, VAC, Quicksilver, etc.) but I don't see too many. Any suggestions. Oh, by the way, I can't spend more than $500 over what I can get for the Cary. I'd guess I could get at least $2,500 for the Cary. It's the latest model with autobias, remote, etc.

Also, I don't need a preamp since I can go direct with my Cary 303/300 and am using AKG K1000 headphones for the forseeable future.

Thanx!!
pawlowski6132

Showing 4 responses by pawlowski6132

pawlowski6132's avatar
pawlowski6132 OP
592 posts
 
I think the Cary is just fine so far. Date some more before I get married.
pawlowski6132's avatar
pawlowski6132 OP
592 posts
 
Thanx everyone. So far I have Art Audio, Welborne and maybe Quicksilver. Also, It doesn't hae to be a 300b. 45s, 2a3s also OK.

I think.
pawlowski6132's avatar
pawlowski6132 OP
592 posts
 
Well, I used to have a pair of Cary SLM-100s which I rolled 6250s and KT88s in and out of so...sorta been there did that. Will probably like to stay in the SET scene for awhile. Works well for my type of music (lots of styles of acoustic). However, when, I add speakers to my system, I plan on listening to more larger orchestral pieces. I have a feeling for the slam-factor and to give me more options in speaker choice, I'll have to move to a EL34, KT88,etc. model. Maybe the Mcintosh 275??

But, please, throw something out if you have it!

thanx
pawlowski6132's avatar
pawlowski6132 OP
592 posts
 
Darkmobius, thanx for all the excellent info. I'be doing lots reading tonight.

BTW, please don't underestimate the AKG K1000s. Here is a thread I started today. Most people that understand the current requirements of the high impedance phones drive 'em with >100W Krells and Levinson's!!! And the headphones connect directly to the speaker terminals.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=161561
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