SET v. Pushpull


I did a search and didn't find any threads on this topic.  I am a newbie to tubes - I have a Tavish Adagio phono stage, and I am looking to add an integrated tube amp into the analog chain in my system - I have never owned one, so my knowledge level is low.  Right now I am running KEF LS50 speakers, but they are a little small for my listening area so possibly looking at larger speakers - I was very impressed by the Joseph Audio Pulsars I recently heard, as one example.

Anyway, most of the integrated tube amps in my price range are seem to be push pull, although the Line Magnetic is SET.  At a high level, I understand the push pull design gives higher output power than SET, but also higher potential for distortion.  

Any practical experience with the pros and cons of each?  And how important is this in the overall scheme, in real world applications?  Say, compared to the choice of output tube?

Thanks,


Tom 
tgr

Showing 1 response by tgr

Guys, thanks for these responses - to add:  My budget is going to be $5K or less, and because of real estate issues I don't have room for tube separates, or monoblocks, - need to go with an integrated.

Herb Reichert at Stereophile has paired a SET design, the Line Magnetic 518ia with the KEFs, with good results.  22 Watts, supposedly.