SET amplifier recommendation

That’s an interesting point, Ralph, which I presume derives mainly from the bandwidth limitations imposed by output transformers when they are used in SET configurations.

Would the bandwidth limitations you refer to apply to the small signal bandwidth as well as to the bandwidth at or near full power? Or just to the latter?

The issue of bandwidth becoming more limited as the total output power is increased happens with any amplifier with an output transformer. In SETs this issue is exacerbated. To give you an example, a Harmon Kardon Citation 2 which makes 60 watts has bandwidth at full power from 10Hz or so to well past 60KHz; a 300b SET which makes only 7 watts can't go as low or as high. This is why lower powered SETs like the 2A3 and the type 45 have gained ascendancy-  they have more bandwidth. But speakers with the efficiency needed to bring out their qualities are considerably more limited- you need well over 103 dB in most rooms to make amps like that work. Even with a 300B I would not be using a speaker of less than 99dB for the simple reason that if you use more than about 20% of the total amplifier power the distortion becomes unacceptable (that increased distortion is responsible for that 'dynamic' quaility for which SETs are known).

The issue of bandwidth becoming more limited as the total output power is increased happens with any amplifier with an output transformer. In SETs this issue is exacerbated.

Thanks, Ralph. That would say that in the case of tube amps having output transformers published frequency response specs should be taken with grains of salt, unless the power level they correspond to is clearly stated (with that basis preferably being full power). (And also, as with the frequency response or bandwidth specs of any amplifier, grains of salt should be applied if the amount of rolloff the stated response corresponds to is not indicated).

And if I may say so, the specs provided at your site are exemplary in those (and other) respects.

Best regards,
-- Al

I recently built the Elekit TU-8600R-VK with Lundahl OPT's and TKD pot.
I'm running Gold Lion PX300B, Tele 12AX7 and RCA Cleartop 12AU7.

It is sublime!!! Amazing amp and would costs $1800 for the upgraded kit, a few hundred more for the tubes I mentioned, or you can go with EML or Elrog 300B within your $3000 budget.

Not that it matters too much but Herb Reichart reviewed it for Stereophile and compared it to $20K amps, landing into the list of recommended components.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-27-elekit-tu-8600r-amplifier-kit

Do NOT buy anything from Coincident. I made that mistake a few years ago, and will never consider it again.
the dynamo is a cheaply made Chinese crap, with the cheapest parts and terrible workmanship. I’ve had issues with it from day 1, and the customer service I received from Israel was appalling. He did not own his warranty for an amp that arrived defective, tried to blame me for it, and wouldn’t even pay for return shipping for the repair, even though after I sent the amp back he admitted that it was faulty. If you want a Chinese SET, get a cheap one one on eBay. Quality will be the same, price will be 1/4 of the dynamo, and most Chinese sellers provide customer service orders of magnitude better than Israel.

I have tested a B&W 805 with an Ayon Mercury 300b Set amp (20W). Very bad match.