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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 9 responses by saki70

saki70
907 posts
 
Mikirob ;
I must've missed it , what preamp are you using with the Dynamo .

Thanks
saki70
907 posts
 
Rebbi ;
Please keep me apprised as to what you finally decide upon .
PM if you want . As we discussed on AA , we are interested
in the same thing here .

Brownsfan ;
I would be quite interested in knowing how that Dynamo works
out after everything is run in . Please PM me if you wish .

Happy Tunes
saki70
907 posts
 
Ait ;
I have thought the same thing concerning the DIY route . But some of us are just not able to do it . :-(

Happy Tunes
saki70
907 posts
 
Mikirob ;
You stated " I'm going to sell my Cary V12, Cary SL98, perhaps Primaluna Dialogue One " . Does the hesitance on the Primaluna speak to its close equality to the Dynamo ? I ask because I have a Prologue II with rolled tubes including EL-34's .

Just curious
saki70
907 posts
 
Brownsfan ;
Are you still here ?

I have a question that you may be able to answer.
What is the difference , in sound , between the Dynamo and the Franks within the constraints of the Dynamo's ability ?
In other words , what is the difference between the 300B and the EL-34 in as close to the same circuit as one may find in the market place ?

Thank You
saki70
907 posts
 
Brownsfan ;
Thank you so much for your reply .
I don't mean to be a pest but ...
I did not mean for you to compare the Dynamo to the Frankenstein per se .
I wanted to get your take on the difference , in sound characteristics , between an EL-34 tube and a 300B tube in the same type of SET circuit . I figured that because these two amps were designed and built by the same artist that this would be about as fair of a comparison as is possible for these two 'different' tubes in the same type of circuit .

If you would be so kind .
Thank you
saki70
907 posts
 
Thanks guys the best answers that I have received to date ,
much appreciated !
If you want to get a chuckle , check out this thread that I started asking the same question .

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=set&m=76456

Some of the comments will make you go HMMMM !

Happy Tunes
saki70
907 posts
 
Shubert ;
Get a separate computer and CC with a small limit for internet only use .
Keep "all" other financial transactions off of that computer
and CC . Cheap insurance and peace of mind !

Good luck
saki70
907 posts
 
Rebbi ;
Does this mean that you are keeping , and still loving , the Di Capo's ?

Mikirob ;
Thank you for the BT 6CA7 recommendation , without a doubt the best power tube that I have tried !

Happy Tunes
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