2. amps-preamps
  3. 1257069072

SET the best?

Is SET amplification where we should all end up? I keep reading posts where people tell of their journeys from plenty power to micro power, and how amazing SET amplification is 45 set 211 set 845 set otl, and usually, ....with the right speaker. I have yet to read of anyone who has gone the other direction from SET, to High watt beast class A amps or others.
If your speakers can be driven by minimal wattage, is this the most realistic, natural sound we can achieve? versus say, 86db sensitive speakers and a 1000w amp?
Is the end result solely based on speaker pairing? circuit? tubes?

I am in the process of changing my direction in my search for realistic sound, just because, and wondering if this really is the best direction to be going.
From what I have been reading I think it may be.

What do we get with SET? What do we give up?

What's you favorite color?
hanaleimike

Showing 6 responses by wolf_garcia

wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 

My Dennis Had SEP (pentode) is plenty loud and clear into my alleged 99db rated Heresy III speakers, enhanced by a couple of RELs. I simply don’t care much about opinions of others regarding things they haven’t heard (i.e. my system), although some here have garnered my respect generally...I’ve owned a couple of these Had Firebottle HOs ("high output" or "prostitute" depending of who you believe) and the one I kept sounded best and is a bit louder than the rejected one (a newer version, but still...outta here!). Suffice to say that after many decades of enjoying various well designed SS amps, the single ended tubester stays right where it sits. That said, I might try a Pass XA 25 someday since I can.

wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 
Yeah...close most of the speaker options and open up pretty much all the amp options. 
wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 
It is interesting that one can box yourself in with a lower watt tube amp, and deny yourself the vast multitudes (and clear large margin majority) of 83 to 90db efficient speakers...I check efficiency in every review and simply say meh...it will be a while before I lose interest in efficiency, and I'm happy with the sound of my massive 12 watts into horns...the dynamics are there, the clarity is there, the musical "correctness" is there, and I'm there.
wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 
I can't tell if my amp is loafing, and I've used the iPhone meter for years out of curiosity and to test relative channel levels...no idea how many watts my amp is actually using as I don't own whatever gear would tell me that, but it sure seems clean even at uncomfortable levels.
wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 
My Dennis Had amp is an SEP (pentode) at from 12 to 17wpc depending on tubes used, which means with Gold Lion KT77s, my "tube du jour," I'm likely getting 10 to 12wpc. This drives my 99db Heresy IIIs to as loud as I need to hear 'em with plenty of headroom left. I cheat with a couple of REL subs, but man...a great sounding thing.
wolf_garcia
6,751 posts
 
After years of SS amps (except for guitar amps....all tube) and just after a nice few years with a great sounding push-pull tube amp, I was absolutely floored by a little Dennis Had single ended pentode amp...just amazed at the clarity and detail, and what just seemed like musical accuracy. I'll never sell the thing, and with efficient speakers and a couple of powered subs, I'm done. 
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