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SET 45 Amp Driving Dynamic Speakers

I have an Antique Sound Labs Tulip SET amp running Emission Labs mesh plate 45s, driving Audio Note AN E speakers. It will play WAY louder than I want to listen, and the dynamics are amazing with all types of music.

Why do I keep reading that 45s (and other low power triodes) are only appropriate for horns, or other super efficient speakers? I think a real disservice has been done to the audiophile community by the propagation of this idea. IMO, anyone who prefers to listen to music at sane levels can enjoy the many benefits of a low power SET amp with carefully chosen dynamic speakers.

Anyone else feel this way/have similar experience?
tommylion

Showing 4 responses by johnk

johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
I have owned many 45 SET amps as well as loads of other SET to get the best out of 45 I have had to biamp even on horns the 45 SET doesn't drive woofers well but is amazing  on horns. I have had some luck using with fullrange BLH with 45 SET. But I do see many SETing themselves up for failure by not matching loudspeaker to amp. 
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
A 45 if used just on a mid horn of 106db plus is a wonderful thing and if possible one should try to hear such but if poster enjoys the 45 with the AN nothing wrong with that. 2nd order can sound good to the ear. Enjoying our system choice is what its about not if its optimal or not, so if you like it dare I say its right.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
Seems more than a few running 45 SET with under 100db loudspeakers are saying they do not listen loud and are limited in music selection. If you want few limits with 45 SET want to play any type of music you care to you will most likely need a horn loaded loudspeaker and might even have to biamp. Or enjoy within limits nothing wrong with that but I do feel those insisting that the suggestion that 45 SET needs hi-eff is wrong because if they use within limits it works for them misses the point of the over 100db easy ohm load suggestions for 45 SET use and that is to get the best out of these SETs.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
I can play any music I like at any volume I want included levels that would severely damage hearing. This I can do on 6 SET watts easy. I love heavy metal punk blues jazz classical, pipe organ etc I have no limits this is what one can get with careful matching of amplifier ie SET to loudspeaker. Sure SETs can sound wonderful if used in systems that set a performance limit. But they can do it all if you let them. My SETs are driving 4 -15 inch woofer-2- 50lb compression mids and 2-30lb tweeters. With SET the loudspeaker needs be able to work weak magnets small cabinets complex networks all put limitations on SET amplification.
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