2. amps-preamps
  3. 150191-8471

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 2 responses by lewinskih01

lewinskih01
906 posts
 
The B&W speakers are voiced for SS amplification and are never going to sound their best with tube amplification; possibly with the exception of a pair of Atma-Sphere OTL monoblocks.

Sorry, but I disagree with this statement. I own 804S and when searching for amps I listened to them in the same room and setup with McIntosh MC252 (250W SS) vs MC275 (75W tubes), and preferred the 275. My system has evolved quite a bit since and now the 804S run as active speakers with 400W class D driving their woofers, subs under them, but the MC275 still drives mids/tweeters. 
In my journey I veered towards building my own active speakers and looking to drive mids and tweeters with SETs, but doesn't mean good PP powerful tubes can't drive 805 well.

OTLs could very well be it. BTW, thanks Ralph and Almarg for the informative exchange!
lewinskih01
906 posts
 
Folks, this thread is from July 2019, and likely OP has decided which way to go already.
@cygnus_859, what did you end up doing and how did it work out for you?

BTW, the passing of almarg in 2020 is yet another very sad aspect of this year. I will miss you around here!
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