... Newbie looking for sonic heaven with SETs...


Hi everybody...long time reader first time attempt seeking help. To some I know this will be considered a backward approach ( and maybe all reding this will confirm) but I've read so much about SETs that I very much want my next component purchase ( with somewhat limited budget constraints) to be quality SET monoblocks. I'm considering Welborne DRD 300B or 45 set up, or Morrow Audio 300B. My understanding is that from here I will have to carefully match any one of these choices with an efficient speaker...around 90db or better. My taste in music is widely varied... I listen to all kinds...this is probably not a good thing I know, because, although I love female vocals (Julie Christy, Peggy Lee), acoustic jazz, folk (Hoyt Axton, Kingston Trio, the Seekers)...I also love some orchestral music, Big Band (Ellington) and Rock (Steely Dan, the Band,Rolling stones, Led Zep) Is there such a possible SET to Speaker match... to enjoy with "heavenly" results ( and reasonably priced. I'm thinking speakers from $1500 to $2000 used or maybe from an easily assembled kit.
Single drivers...horn speakers...will they do it for me?
Let me tell you where I'm starting my listening experience from. Since I left the military many years ago, I've been enjoying my purchases made at their "Sight&Sound" center at my post exchange: JBL 4311 Studio Monitors for speakers, Harmon Kardon Citaion 16 and 17, I think ( Solid State Power Amp and Pre Amp W/equalizer), a B&O Linear tracking table w/ thier bottom line MC5? cartridge, and an early Kyocera CD player.
I've since purchased odd pieces of eqipment (...and I know in an idiotic approach)in the hopes of building a dream system, and, over the past two years, and in midstream, changed direction once or twice ( from a shot at High end solid state to the tube sonic heaven SET quest). I own, but haven't set up, a VPI Aries extended table w/JMW12 arm, an EAR 894 tube pre amp, and a Krell KRC HR w/ reference phono stage...What a mix huh!...but I just can't afford the $$$ to complete the Krell solid state system that I'd once hoped to build.
So, full circle,... kinda...I want to find that elusive sonic joy with an SET and suitably matched speakers, someday upgrade the CD player...maybe someday sell the KRC HR ( but they are so hard to find!!)..they maybe just sit back and start enjkoying more listening and less eqipment hunting...any advice offered would be appreciated, especially in regard to the low power SET speaker combo.
johnstax
In the not so distant past I had evealuated SET amps. I cam to the conclusion that I was not ready to give up my 88db efficient Spendor 1/2e speakers so I ended up with a custom built solid state 225 watt amp. I am happy with that decision but had I gone the SET route I was giving serious consideration to SET amps from this person:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1146278805

The speakers I was leaning towards were the Zu Druids at I believe $1800/pair. I also considered an Audio Note speaker kit.

I had also researched SET amps from Decware, Cary, Canary, and a few others. There are lots of choices out there. Try before you buy if you can.
There are some high current SET amps such a my Art Audio Carissa Signature (845's) that will handle speakers with 87-88db, perhaps even lower sensitivity, this may open you up to more speakers. However, in saying this it is still important to look at speaker impedence, not too low and electrical phase angle not too steep.
Thanks so much to all for your help...I really do appreciate it. Having said that, please excuse me for not following up and acknowledging your help...I work some strange long/rotating shifts, and to boot,have experienced a bit of a miscommunication here w/ Audiogon...they thought that my posting was lost in cyberspace,and so, I neglected to followup. I really value opinions offered on this site, so,once more, please forgive any incoherent drible on my part...I've just now read responses to my questions and will respond further this evening. Once again, Thanks to all!