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
Depends on the SET what you can drive. I have no problem driving 85dB (if that efficient) Infinity RSIIb speakers with an SET, to louder than I'd ever need. Just need lots of power supply storage (400+joules), 2500volts B+ and 62lb output transformers...
I was very impressed with the line magnetic 22 watt per channel SET amp I heard at Pitchperfect in LA. Brand new I think it is 4,500 bucks.

Looked very nice and sounded good.

The Shindo SET was freaking fantastic but big bucks.

I have been way impressed with almost all the SET's I have been in front of.
Actually, I believe that Brownsfan's Inspire KT66 is a SEP, not an SET. I tried Dennis' Inspire KT88 SEP with my 91 db efficiency speakers, and the sound was very disappointing. I really wanted to love that amp, I thought it would mate well with my Cary SLP-98P F1 preamp.

I tried all sorts of driver, power and rectifier tube combinations to try and get it to open up, alas, I could not get decent sound in my room. To his credit, Dennis gave me a full refund. I do know of others that love his amps, so it is still probably worth a try, even though it did not come close to working for me.
John,
This is what I mean, these low power amps cover a wide spectrum from poor to sublime performance.Some have said the Had amps lack good quality transformers(I have no personal knowledge to confirm or deny). I sure wouldn't judge SET/SEP amps on this one example. This is why I believe Brownsfan's three amplifier comparison driving the same speaker is going to be quite interesting.All 3 with the same power rating but very different design and parts quality approach.
Charles,