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What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Hi, Gang,
I response to my recent review of the Reference 3A De Capo BE speaker, someone wrote that if you really want to hear them sing, you should try them with a SET amp, or words to that effect.
That got me thinking. The De Capo's are 92 db efficient, which (correct me if I'm wrong) seems kind of borderline for low-power SET amps.
In any event, right now I'm running mine with a pair of Manley Mahi mono-blocks. They are switchable from triode (20 watts) to "ultra linear" (40 watts). I run them in triode all the time, and in my room, the volume knob almost never goes past 9 o'clock; more would just be too loud.
All that said, what do you guys think of running the De Capo's with a SET amp? And if I did, what's the best bargain in SET's these days?
Thanks!
rebbi

Showing 1 response by brf

brf
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The lifetime of a tube is determined by the lifetime of its cathode emission. And the life of the of a cathode is dependent on the cathode temperature, which means that it is dependent on filament or heater operating voltage.

Operate the heater/filament too hot, and the tube will give a shortened life. Operate it too cool and life may be shortened. This is especially true for thoriated filaments, which depend on replenishment of thorium by diffusion from within the filament wire.

For best, long lasting tube life it is recommended that you operate your tube within the tube manufactures specifications.
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