Difference between SET and push-pull using 300B

I have heard lower watt push pull tube amps with single pair output tubes etc. that get close to what single ended can do- enough to be very happy on more pop/rock type music, but never equal the sound of set. I believe it is not possable ever. I have also never heard sets that have two output tubes per channel ever equal a single pair of output tubes. Again, I don't believe it's possable ever. Also, the higher power sets do not equal the lower power sets and never will. I think as long as you don't fall for the "It's as good as low watt set but not" marketing from anybody-I don't care how expensive, then you could be happy with the compromise-knowing it's a trade-off either way you go. just don't kid yourself.

Properly designed push-pull can be as good as SET amp. 100.000$ Kondo Gaku-OH is a push-pull.

I think that it would greatly depend on the music that you listen to. The SET has the most AIRY HIGHS and the BEST MID. The PUSH PULL configuration will have more watts and will have better control of the Bass perhaps sound somewhat puncher, but I think that the mid and the highs suffer somewhat.

In case of Zanden 9000 dont forget that this not just a push pull design but like kondos gakuh-on a very special superior design to most others.

Basicaly, in a SE configuration you have one output device (tube, MOSFET, transistor, ...) which is usually working in A-class. That means that it is always open and transmits the whole "sinusoide" - actually the whole signal. It usually get very hot, and the losses to the heat are considerable. This design is probably the oldest one (with WE 300B).

Push-Pull design has two output devices at the output. Each device transmitts the half of the sinusoide. PP devices can work though in different classes. They are usually more efficient and provide more power at the output than SE. That is why they are preffered solution with more critical loudspeakers.

Typically SE is considered as superior design in respect of sound reproduction. It has though some limitations - the most important one is the power that it can provide and accordingly, the matching with appropriate speakers. PP can be also extremly successful in sound reproduction. It depends actually on implementation; output devices that are used; quality of transformers; etc. So there are seriously sounding PP designs as well as poor sounding SEs ...

I wouldn't worry though to much about all this. Listen to this amp (if possible with your speakers) and see whether you are happy with the sound. If yes ... then ... no problem which internal design has been implemented.