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 3 responses by pehare

Happy to say that I have a Dynamo 34se coming from Izzy in the next week. Having owned triode amps in the past it's something you can't get out of your mind once you've experienced it. I really had Turbo 845 in mind but just can't get my mind or aging back around 85 lbs & all those expensive enormous heat emitting tubes - I know what more heat means having owned tube amps for awhile. Iz says it should be incredible w/my Partial 2's. cheers
no way - it's a lifetime keeper just craving a different flavor occasionally. really happy w/the CDP & speakers too.
The new Dynamo arrived safely yesterday & I got it all set up & out of the box it sounds & looks great. No transformer hum to speak of & no hiss at idle thru the speakers, really quiet all around. Works perfectly w/the volume knob turned all the way up which takes it out of the circuit - running direct w/the internal remote volume control on the CDP. Really a gutsy amp w/immediate sound, good tone, clarity, 3d qualities & imaging - everything we like about tubes. I'm impressed so far & looking forward to breaking it in.