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Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120

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edwin

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 18
Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« on: 15 Jul 2022, 05:13 am »
Hi guys,
I am now in a delemna which one is a better option for me. I will have the opportunity to get a used 350hc for 500 usd. I am planning to pair it with a Cary SLP-94. I will be refurbishing it with better caps and other good parts.

My music is mostly jazz, vocals and acoustic. From time to time other genres as well. I have both an analog and digital set up and speakers is a 92db DeCapo BE in a small listening space.

So what are your thoughts guys.
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dB Cooper

Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #1 on: 15 Jul 2022, 11:16 am »
Call Frank.


AVA gear tends to last for years and years and is scarce on the used market, which ought to tell you all you need to know about how 'good' the parts are.

You don't need the power of the 350HC with sensitive speakers in a small space. The SET120 is the route I would take. It doesn't need parts 'upgrades' either.
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rockadanny

Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #2 on: 15 Jul 2022, 11:32 am »
+1
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aln

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 248
Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #3 on: 15 Jul 2022, 11:51 am »
You will not go wrong with higher power.  Buy the 350!
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aln

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 248
Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #4 on: 15 Jul 2022, 12:49 pm »
If it is the fet-valve amp (two 12at7 tubes at the input) one can change tubes to fine tune the sound.  Very useful
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fredgarvin

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1329
Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #5 on: 15 Jul 2022, 03:35 pm »
I'd stay with tubes and go with the 350hc. What a match that would be with the Cary.
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I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #6 on: 15 Jul 2022, 04:16 pm »
Go with the 120. The 350hc is and older AVA amp.  The newer AVA amps sound much better.
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Phil_S

Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #7 on: 15 Jul 2022, 06:59 pm »
I agree w/ I.Greyhound Fan, the 120 is spectacular.  I have the control 120 amp and after over a year am still thrilled with the music it produces.  Your DeCapo's should pair very nicely with the 120.
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simon wagstaff

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 425
Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #8 on: 8 Sep 2022, 03:10 am »
+1 for SET 120. It's very nice. I upgraded to the DVA 225. It's even nicer. You don't often talk about 3-D Soundstage being the primary attribute of an amp but SET 120 and DV 225 have it in spades. Real music. Listening right now. Wow! 😀
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Nick B

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 900
Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #9 on: 8 Sep 2022, 04:32 am »
I was going to recommend the SET 120 as well and was curious what he decided, but Edwin hasn’t logged in since he wrote the post 🤷
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avahifi

Re: Van Alstine 350hc or SET 120
« Reply #10 on: 8 Sep 2022, 06:45 pm »
Our new SET 120 basic amp is the much better choice.

You don't need more power with 92 dB efficient speakers and the SET 120 is much more resolving and transparent.

Plus it is new and has a three year parts and labor warranty and our 30 day satisfaction guarantee,

Frank
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