2. amps-preamps
  3. 1257069072

SET the best?

Is SET amplification where we should all end up? I keep reading posts where people tell of their journeys from plenty power to micro power, and how amazing SET amplification is 45 set 211 set 845 set otl, and usually, ....with the right speaker. I have yet to read of anyone who has gone the other direction from SET, to High watt beast class A amps or others.
If your speakers can be driven by minimal wattage, is this the most realistic, natural sound we can achieve? versus say, 86db sensitive speakers and a 1000w amp?
Is the end result solely based on speaker pairing? circuit? tubes?

I am in the process of changing my direction in my search for realistic sound, just because, and wondering if this really is the best direction to be going.
From what I have been reading I think it may be.

What do we get with SET? What do we give up?

What's you favorite color?
hanaleimike

Showing 2 responses by markusthenaimnut

markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut
354 posts
 
For close to three decades I ran Naim solid state gear. Loved it. I was satisfied.

Then I had a chance to buy a pair of Quad ESL 63s and an Innersound Electrostatic amp. It sounded better than my Naim 135s on the Quads.

Then I picked up a pair of JBL 4430 monitors.

When I retired I bought a Supratek tube preamp. Replaced the Innersound with a Quad 909. Dipped my toes in the SET water with a 300B amp, which I use on the JBLs. 

Now I switch between the two systems. They both sound awesome. They both have compromises. But they both have synergies and areas where their performance excels. Neither is perfect.

The destination should be contentment, not perfection. Everything matters and there's always something better out there.
markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut
354 posts
 

I have two stereo amps and two pair of speakers. All-tube preamp (Supratek Cortese).

One system is Quad 2805s driven by Quad 909. They have a certain coherence and beauty.

The other system is JBL 4430s driven by humble AES SE-1 300b, with the 12AU7 pre-driver stage modification Dennis Had described in Sound Practices Issue 6. This modification replaces the 6SL7 with the 12 AU7 driving a 6SN7. Given the humble pedigree of the SE-1, this modification is nothing less than Ingenious. Maybe someday I'll hear a higher-pedigree 300b amp. As it is, I love the sound of this thing. Beautiful, coherent sound. The JBLs are 93dB efficient and I listen in the near field, so I'm seldom using a full watt. All kinds of music sound good through my system.

Re-reading what I've written, truth is I don't think I've contributed anything of value to this discussion, other than to say I love the sound of my humble 300b SET amp. And maybe to suggest that you don't have to spend inordinate amounts of money to get a taste of the magic. 

 

More to discover