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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 mikem

mikem
260 posts
 

My speakers are 95.5db sensitive which allows me to use low powered amps. I’ve come full circle from large speakers, big heavy tube amps, etc … to a minimalist system that uses a single stage amp w 18wpc. Less is more ! Everything sounds better with less power, less components, etc..  

I spent lots of money to learn that you don’t need to spend lots of money to get good sound.. IME

My first system back in the early 70’s was a 2A3 tube amp and a pair of plywood lowthers ..  I didn’t realize then how good it was.. I only focused on the lack of bass and spent mad money buying large everything to make bass..  I have to laugh at myself.. now I have it all with less. Just hope I live long enough to keep enjoying what I have..  No regrets, enjoyed the chase.. but now just enjoying the music ..

mikem
260 posts
 

In the mid-late 90’s I had a 2A3 PP amp from Cary audio. It was very SET like in its presentation and would work with not so sensitive speakers. It made several hard core SS folks listen up and take notice.  Too bad the reliability was an issue with these amps, they did sound quite good. I tried bi-amping using the2A3 on top and SS on the bottom..  Never got it sorted out well enough and moved on.. But the 2A3 sound is intoxicating.

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