40+ watts SET, cost is not a problem


Friends,

Hope everyone is well here. I am visiting after a long time. I have a query on behalf of a close buddy of mine. He is using a pair of TAD CR1x loudspeakers. Gorgeous speakers for sure. The source is an EMT 927 TT & JPA66 preamp. For the amplification things are getting tricky. He has tried the TAD M700s reference power amp and while it sounds very controlled, it doesn't have the openness and dimensionality of tone that a good tube/SET amp provides. We are considering trying a good SET for this system. Given that TAD needs some power blossom well and expand on effortlessly, at least 40 watts of SET power would be needed. The quick choices are Kondo Kagura & Wavac HE833 Mk2. But I need more suggestions on these and other comparative products.

1. Has anyone heard the Kondo and Wavac gears to suggest a comparison? I am just a bit worried on the amount of Silver used in Kondo. I have normally found that silver takes away something from the flow and harmonics. Tell me more about it.

2. What other options can be considered in this realm? No SS please. Looking for SET options primarily.

 

Room size is moderate 17 x 13 feet. Music preferred are classic rock, jazz, pop and some classical

 

pani

Hey there, my name is Brandon Wade and I am the owner of Apollo Audio Systems, a Seattle based SET amplifier company and think I could offer some choices in higher output units. We are currently in development of 30w 211 ($6k per pair), 50w 810 ($14k per pair) and 88w 833a ($30k per pair)SET monos with the first of the 833a units built and ready for production, the 810 on the bench right now for the final massaging, and the 211 coming soon. Our goal at Apollo is to get fine SET gear into the hands of those who may not have been able to find them approachable due to both affordability and output power. For those who struggle to get full bandwidth response I say, that's too bad for you. Not a problem for us. Our -3db points often hover around 8hz and 22khz, full bandwidth power. Just about anyone can make a decent amp, not many can make them extended and refined. Another advantage of our amps is the way that distortion is delivered. The curve is exponential and starts ramping very close to clipping, this means that it stays low until your are really pushing them close to clip. This is MUCH better than about 95% of amps we've ever tested. I currently use our 20w 811a monos on Tekton Ulfberhts and it's enough to play me out of the room. If I move to any the larger models it's pretty over the top. I hand build each amp, offer custom powder coat and accent options for integration with our chassis or just to stand out, VCap coupling caps, Alpha silver clad point to point wiring, limited lifetime warranty and optional NOS tube compliments. I hand deliver and set up the 50w and 88w units for you as well. Images of the aesthetic of our devices can be found on our website. SET, for me, is just what my ears want to hear, it's why I changed my entire career path haha. I've owned Bel Canto, TONS of bottlehead, NAT, custom SET builds, and now our Apollo line. I listen to Apollo now. I love to talk about this stuff so let me know if any of this is sounding interesting to you and we can start a build to your specs. Thanks for your consideration. Brandon Wade - Apolloaudiosystems.com

 

@thecarpathian 

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What’s most disturbing is voicing a $30k Amp through a pair of Tektons….   

Audio Mirror / 45 watt single ended monoblocks using 2x 6c33 per block.
Used can be found for $2 - 3K. Good used value, sound fantastic and great customer service from Vlad.

+1, from personal experience and long-time owner of these amps. But if you have the budget pick up a new pair - still a great value.

I have been down this road many years ago and found a place where I have remained settled throughout the years since the end design for the Commission Built Amp's have been realised.

In my early days of Audio System Building, I migrated from SS to a Valve Pre Amp and PP Power Amp.

After the Honeymoon period, I ventured into the world of Valve equipment very deeply and was influenced by the SET Designs > Horn Speaker / Cabinet Speakers I was encountering. Following the profound experience a Tim De Paravicini Demonstration had on me, a whole new way of thinking about how I was to move forward appeared.

I was very much more aware of the Speaker Type I wanted to continue with, and how I wanted these to be driven.

I took the discussion to a very experienced Valve EE, and the Journey was embarked on to what was to become bespoke built 845 PP Monoblock Power Amp's.

These are a design optimised for the 845 at a 25 Watt Output, (following description might be a little off, its been a while), they are Class A, Linear, Feedback used ?? Point to Point Circuit with Hand Wound Power and Output Tranx.

At the time of these being produced there was little like them on offer as a Product, and one Brand was offering a 211 Monoblock @ approx' £50K.

I have not heard many set ups that can produce Headroom like these Amp's and have compared them to other Amp's over the years, they have always remained very impressive, and really get the best out of all Speakers met to date. 

The Thread in the Link, has covered the design / build of a 300B as a joint venture between two time served EE's specialising in Audio Equipment.

A offer has even been made of a very late in the development prototype, that would be a great experience, and possibly one that may be a keeper as I have found with my own experience.

 

nin