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Why not more on 845 SETs?

As a brand-new owner of a Bel Canto SETi40 int amp,(bought used) I was intrigued to see very little in the fora on the subject of 845 SET amps an A'gon. It seems that this provides the best of both worlds -adequate power to drive most moderately sensitive speakers- 40 Class A SET WPC with SET sound. What is the downside to this approach and why don't more of the SET groupies have higher powered amps, giving them much more latitude in speaker selection? I drive 4 ohm 87 db sensitivity Totem 1 Signatures quite adequately with this amp. Is it beacuse of transformer issues, difficulty in finding adequate designs, size or the feeling that this is not a true "SET sound"?
I would like to hear SET-owners' reasons, if possible.
springbok10

Showing 4 responses by zt000

zt000
30 posts
 
This is a good thread.
- In general 845 SETs are very expensive to build.
- It generates a lot of heat. Not good in summer.
- My main speakers are BSL Type II (102db).
- I use Bel Canto SET40 in Winter. It kicks major butt.
- I use Moth Si2A3 in Summer. Very sweet.
- I use Music Reference RM-10 time to time. Very fast.
- I've used 45, 2A3, 300b, 845 in SE, PSE and PP.
- When all things are equal 845SET is the King of SET.
- 845 will do everything 300b does and more.
- 45 and 2A3 are slightly better in the mid and high but much lacking in low.
- 845SET is sound stage champ.
- My other speakers are Melior One (87db). 845 will drive them.
- Output transformer is the most critical item in SET.
- MHO from MOE. So, don't shoot me.
- I have few more amps and motorcycles. Because, I'm only allowed have one wife.

Best regards...
zt000
30 posts
 
Amen to DC power. One amp I'm having very hard time getting rid of is N.E.W. DCA66 which is battery powered class A SS amp. Disabled half of the power per Cary's recommendation and it is SWEET. It is a Nelson Pass designed and Cary built amp. I'm a die hard SET guy and this is the only SS amp I enjoy time to time. Amen to "simplify and enjoy" too. I don't use preamp nor x-over speakers. I use digital volume control by Meridian in front of the DAC to SET to x-over less speakers all connected with siler cables. As pure as I am able to get.
zt000
30 posts
 
Gunbei, welcome to the King of SET Club. SET40 is a very special amp. First, while other 845 SET produces 25wpc, it produces 37wpc. Second, while other tube amps have dynamic peak power of 150% of rated power (at the most), its got 70+wpc of dynamic peak power (200% of rated power). By commonly accepted rule, it is equal to 200+ ss watts. I don't know what tubes came with it but if they are stock tubes from Bel Canto, you haven't heard the SET40 yet. More elation to come.
zt000
30 posts
 
Gunbei, first, I'd recommend that you get the best 12ax7 you can get. Mullard, Telefunken or Amperex are good place to start. I'd recommend paying extra for premium-matched quad. They sound better and last longer. 845s are kind of sensitive to input tubes. Once you settle with input tubes you can play with 845s. I recommend Billington Gold as a very good starting point. Both 12ax7 and 845 will last 8000 to 10,000 hours. Once, you settle on tubes, you can forget about them for many years.

http://www.bel-tubes.co.uk/gold.htm
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