The following uses a DHT 300B SET Amp as a point of reference
SET pluses
Has warm and liquid tube sound - No harsh digital edge
Has incredible sense of presence
Very little listener fatigue
Midrange and high end tone are magical
You can change sound by tube swapping
SET Minuses
They generally cost more than other Amps
Very low power - requires higher efficiency speakers
Bottom End (Bass) is not very prevalent.
Tubes can be very expensive and need to be replaced
Tone is probably "colored" somewhat by the tube
Does not measure well (spec-out) compared to traditional Amps
My progression has gone from 20 years of owning "Sand Amps" to Push-pull Tube Amps (Much Better) to DHT SET Amps (Even Better). I currently have 4 SET Amps - A pair of 8 Watt 300B Monoblocks, a 300B Integrated, an Amp that can switch between 300B and 2.5W 2A3 tubes and finally an Amp that can switch between 2A3 and 1.5W 45 tubes.
To me, a DHT SET Amp (300B, 2A3, 45 etc..) is as close to "being in the music" as I have yet found. I attend at least one classical (symphony, chamber or recital) concert a month and SET amps best approximate the feeling of having the performers in the room with you.
However, there are few absolutes in music. The audio qualities I look for and favor may be the opposite with you. I strongly advise going down to your local high-end audio retailer and listening to a good SET amp matched with appropriate speakers. It just may lead you down a different path. There is probably a good reason why so many audiophiles have fallen in love with technology that is 70+ years old.
SET pluses
Has warm and liquid tube sound - No harsh digital edge
Has incredible sense of presence
Very little listener fatigue
Midrange and high end tone are magical
You can change sound by tube swapping
SET Minuses
They generally cost more than other Amps
Very low power - requires higher efficiency speakers
Bottom End (Bass) is not very prevalent.
Tubes can be very expensive and need to be replaced
Tone is probably "colored" somewhat by the tube
Does not measure well (spec-out) compared to traditional Amps
My progression has gone from 20 years of owning "Sand Amps" to Push-pull Tube Amps (Much Better) to DHT SET Amps (Even Better). I currently have 4 SET Amps - A pair of 8 Watt 300B Monoblocks, a 300B Integrated, an Amp that can switch between 300B and 2.5W 2A3 tubes and finally an Amp that can switch between 2A3 and 1.5W 45 tubes.
To me, a DHT SET Amp (300B, 2A3, 45 etc..) is as close to "being in the music" as I have yet found. I attend at least one classical (symphony, chamber or recital) concert a month and SET amps best approximate the feeling of having the performers in the room with you.
However, there are few absolutes in music. The audio qualities I look for and favor may be the opposite with you. I strongly advise going down to your local high-end audio retailer and listening to a good SET amp matched with appropriate speakers. It just may lead you down a different path. There is probably a good reason why so many audiophiles have fallen in love with technology that is 70+ years old.