Who makes a GM-70 based SET?

Pani - Forgot to answer one of your questions. The GM-70 amp I have from SAC Thailand does not employ negative feedback.

Has anyone here listened to any of the GM-70 amps from SAC Thailand? They sure look interesting and the price is right. I'm guessing support may be an issue but it sure is tempting.

Thought I'd chime in on this. I just received a GM-70 monoblock amp from SAC Thailand (to pair with my Hawthorne Audio Trio Open Baffle Speakers) and am very impressed. The sound of the GM-70 tube is big, bold and immediate. It may not be as nuanced as some of the smaller SET tubes but the presence is addictive. Bass is not lacking at all. The sonic signature is the same played at low or high volume. I've ordered a pair of copper plated GM70 tubes to see how they compare with the stock graphite ones. The 38W amp easily drives the Hawthornes. In fact, it seems much more pwoerful than the power rating. Great option for those out there who want to use a SET but don't have HE speakers.

The first GM-70 I heard was from Shindo. I absolutely love the amp but can't afford the asking price. Dehavilland is a bit cheaper but still well over $10K. I took a chance on SAC Thailand after looking at their web site. I could not find many independant reviews on any of their products. I have, though, seen a few positive comments about their transformers which they manufacture themselves.

Anyone looking for a reasonably priced GM-70 amp should check them out. I was able to get my custom made GM-70 for under $5K. Time from order to delivery was about 2 months. The owner promptly answered all my questions via e-mail - most of them next day. Service so far has been very good as well. One of the GM-70 tubes broke in transit from Thailand. He Fedexed a replacement to me right away without any hastle.

I have not heard much about them on audiogon so I thought I'd pass along my $.02. My take is that they a very good outfit flying under the radar. Usual disclaimer applies - I have no financial or other interest with SAC Thailand.

Build quality and cosmetics exceeded my expectation for the price. The chassis is the same as the Glowmaster GM-70 on their website. Difference being my amp is modified for a single, not parallel GM-70.I was also offered the option of a wood chassis at the same price if I wanted that aesthetic (it would have taken a few more weeks to build). I mean it's not a piece of modern art or anything but I think it represents a pretty darn good value for those of us who want to see what the GM-70 is all about and are not (a)wealthy or (b) into the DIY scene. I was on the fence about using SAC Thailand because I could not find out much about them on the web and did not want to get ripped off. Just wanted to let people know that it really is a legit business.

Pani:

I agree with Sbank's assessment. In addition to the GM-70 I also own 45, 2A3 and 300B SET's, an Atma-sphere OTL, and a refurbed Dynaco ST-70 (EL-34). I find the GM-70 gives me most of the benefits of the lower powered SET's while enjoying greater dynamics over a wider variety of musical genres. As much as I enjoy the low powered tubes, they have a hard time (in my system) doing justice with large orchestral recordings.

I don't have a lot of experience comparing the GM-70 with the 845. Hopefully some one else can chimn in here on that. The GM-70 has more power than the 845. Also, in comparison there are fewer manufacturers making GM-70 amps. Because of this you are limited to NOS tubes. Good news is that they are (comparatively speaking to other SET tubes) not that expensive.

The preamp I'm using with all my amps is the Shindo Masetto.