SET amplifier recommendation


 I have been listening push-pull tube amp for a long time. Finally I'd like to try SET. Seems a lot of people moving from push-pull to SET. My budget is <$3000. Looking at Coincident Dynamo MK III 300B. As there is no dealer for Coincident, i can not try it/hear it. Anyone has this? I'd like to hear your comments. i also looked at Decware, Bottlehead, etc. It seems Dynamo is better. Line Magnetic has some interesting ones. But i am not sure the quality can match Canadian made one. 
    My main speaker is B&W 805. Listening space is less than 400 sq ft. My current push-pull setup is CJ premier 15+CJ premier 17ls2+ Audio Research VT100 MKI. Thank you.
cygnus_859

Showing 1 response by bthartman

I'll add my two cents here, as I had the B&W 805 speakers (D2, not the current D3) a few years ago, and while I no longer have them I'm considering going to SET with my current speakers.  I moved from B&W to Wilson speakers - first the Sabrina and very recently with a used pair of Sasha (series 2, not the new DAW).  In addition to my solid state amp in my main setup (D'Agostino Classic Stereo - 300W at 8 Ohms, 600W at 4 and 1200 at 2) I have a Cary CAD300SEI integrated in my office setup.  The Cary is rated at 15W.  Enjoying what the 300B SET does for my office speakers (Omega Compact Alnico - single full range driver and 94.5 dB sensitivity), I had some friends over to compare it to my solid state driving the Sabrinas.  There was certainly something magical about the midrange, and I didn't really feel the volume or dynamics was lacking, but we agreed the solid state power amp had better control of the bass.

The Sabrina has a sensitivity of 87 dB and a pretty challenging impedance curve.  So it was an interesting experiment but not really a serious contender for replacement.  The Sasha's, however, are a different story.  They also have a difficult impedance curve, but with 92 dB sensitivity they're not as challenging.  Same comparison, but this time I'm thoroughly entranced by the SET amp driving these speakers.  There was plenty of volume and dynamics for me, and I didn't feel there was anything lacking in the bass compared to the solid state amp.

I should also mention that my listening environment (my living room - not a dedicated listening room) is pretty lively, with hardwood floors and, though softened with rugs and cloth upholstered sofa and chairs and drapes over windows, I've done no special sound treatments.  I know that when I've auditioned new gear at my local hifi dealer with the exact same components I have at home I use a much lower volume setting on my preamp than I do in the dealers highly treated room.  I also have to position the speakers fairly close to the front wall (less than two feet between the back of the cabinet and the wall).  The point is that the room is going to have an effect as well.

To me the bottom line is that I'd suggest you find amps that you can try in your setup at home.  There's really no other way to tell if it might work for you.  To add to the fun, if you could find other speakers to audition you might really have a fun few days.  (Auditioning gear is what I miss most about having my system mostly sorted out).