SET Amp question

Good answers guys. Thanks!

lewhite,

it is possible to add circuitry between amp and speaker to present a more tube friendly load. merlin rc network option is such a solution. i have read where some more tech savy listeners have done similar themselves. agoner gallant diva has done something along this line to better run apogees of high power tube amps. so it is possible but not commonplace. not sure there is anything that can practically be done to make low efficiency speakers play louder off a flea powered set.

Better power cables might deliver current more effetively to the amp if that were an issue but I would not expect a power cable change alone to deliver the desired results.

Rock,

Thanks. Yes, I have had several respond indicating that some better built higher power SETs have produced good results with some less efficient speakers even in lieu of a separate powered sub.

Martykl,

Did you ever try your Cary SET amps with the OHM 100s?

If so, how did it sound? What were the good and bad?

Still toying with adding SET somewhere, possibly as a 3rd system in a different room with proper speakers for a SET.

I know that this would be the best option from a performance perspective. But I've already nailed that in my larger main system, so I am thinking that it would be interesting to just play with a SET and see how it sounds in different combos, even if far from an ideal match on paper. Go for a different "flavor" of sound perhaps would be a good way to describe it.

Would not think to use a SET with OHMs, but putting the SET into my second system where my OHM 100s currently reside might be a possibility if teh sound quality is good at just moderate volumes in taht I ddo not often turn up the volume much there. Current amps there are TAD hibachi monoblocks that are a good SS option to a higher power tube amp. The Hibachis and OHM 100s are a very good match in there currently and sound lovely and can go fairly loud when needed.

So I would not go to SET specifically for use with OHMs necessarily, but having the option to run that combo and expect decent results at moderate volume would be a bonus that might make me pull teh trigger sooner rather than later.

I have OHM, Triangle Titus (moderately efficient with a rep for synergy with tube amplification) and Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mk II monitors to dabble with currently.

The Triangles would likely cut it best with a SET, followed by OHM and the very demanding Dynaudios least I suspect.