SET 45 Amp Driving Dynamic Speakers

The Yamamoto A-08S is on my list, if I come into some unexpected cash. I'd run it into my ANs (92 db?) full range, just like I'm doing now. I'm sure it will have enough "slam" for when I play The Killers. 90 db is LOUD!

When I checked my levels in the past, I didn't get much above 90 db on peaks. That was setting it as loud as I would ever want to listen. Most of the time, it was lower than that. 100 db peaks must be painful, not to mention the potential for hearing damage.

I'll have to pull out my db meter and check again.

I use an autoformer passive preamp. My understanding is that, in contrast to a resistive volume control, the output impedance gets lower as you lower the setting. This results in better sound at lower volumes, which corresponds with my experience.

Just just to make things clear, I'm not saying one can pair 45s (or other low power SETs) with ANY quality dynamic speakers, and expect good results. However, higher efficiency dynamics, that are known to present a benign load (like the Audio Notes), are a very viable option. Especially if you prefer to listen at low to moderate levels.

I have no problem with someone who tries a low power SET amp with well matched dynamic speakers, and concludes it doesn't work for them. What bothers me is that all the talk about these amps REQUIRING 100 db + efficient speakers dissuades people from even trying a setup like mine.

They may find it doesn't meet their needs, but they may also be very pleasantly surprised, like I was.

One of my most memorable experiences was listening at home after attending a live orchestral concert, and thinking "Wow, this actually sounds like what I heard in the hall!".

Massed strings in the concert hall can have this amazing "singing" quality, which is hard to reproduce at home. My system got it right (among many other things).

I’ve only heard SETs with horns at an audio show. I recall an Art Audio amp with PX25s driving Avantgarde speakers (Duos?) that sounded REALLY good. I don’t doubt that 45s et al can sound even better with horns.

What I am saying is that those who don’t want horns (for space, budget, WAF, or other reasons) can still get a lot of the virtues of SETs with well matched, higher efficiency, dynamics. That was not at all the impression I got before trying it for myself. I know there are always trade offs, but, in my case, I have a hard time perceiving any significant ones.

Horns are not an option for me, at least right now. Maybe there’s an amp out there that can give me the the "magic" of my 45s AND greater dynamic headroom, with my current speakers. I’m not chasing after it, though.

Listening to Beethoven’s 7th Symphony with Carlos Kleiber conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. Don’t know if there is any higher order harmonic distortion going on, but it sounds, and feels, like I’m in the hall.

Peaked at 87 on my dB meter.

Especially after installing a black fuse in my transport this morning ;)

I recently swapped out my old EML mesh plate 45s for a new pair of their mesh 2A3s. I decided to go with 2A3s because that's what the ASL Tulip is really designed for. I was concerned that I would lose that 45 "magic", though.

After breaking in, the 2A3s have the magic, along with more "authority". The increase in power is probably 1 watt, or less, but I do get a sense of more headroom, a little more ease on the peaks.

Wow! I thought these EML 2A3 mesh were broken in, but they continue to get better. To me, they Just get out of the way and let the music flow. If you are a fan of the 45 sound, but want a little more power, I'd definitely look into these. They are not cheap, and you may have to wait for a dealer to get them in, but they are totally worth it.