I agree with you about the awesome wonders of an 845-based SET, but not much else. To me the most important thing about an 845 design is the transformers. My custom-designed 845 monoblocks have trannies the size of a loaf of bread (well, almost) and can drive moderately sensitive speakers to very satisfying volumes in a huge room, with amazing delicacy, detail, and dynamics
But driving a CD player direct (no active preamp)? Certainly not mine (Raysonic 128), which sounds wimpy and blah without the preamp. As to internal wiring, mine is nothing special, probably straight from Radio Shack. But the amps are just outstanding and with the right tubes -- currently Mullard ECC31 inputs, new Genalex KT-77 drivers, and Shuguang Psvane (Pavane) 845s -- they sing like angels.
I'm not denying your experience (and with the obligatory YMMV, IMHO, etc.) just saying there's more than one way to get to SET nirvana. But you do need those 845s :-)
But driving a CD player direct (no active preamp)? Certainly not mine (Raysonic 128), which sounds wimpy and blah without the preamp. As to internal wiring, mine is nothing special, probably straight from Radio Shack. But the amps are just outstanding and with the right tubes -- currently Mullard ECC31 inputs, new Genalex KT-77 drivers, and Shuguang Psvane (Pavane) 845s -- they sing like angels.
I'm not denying your experience (and with the obligatory YMMV, IMHO, etc.) just saying there's more than one way to get to SET nirvana. But you do need those 845s :-)