Rob:
I'm confused by the SE84. If I use two of those as monoblocks, the pair becomes a 2x6w amplifiying unit, right?
Now the real question:
since you distribute the Ideal Innovation and you are very familiar with the Decware line, which unit would you recommend for which use?
The price of the Ideal Innovation makes it so attractive. What is it sacrificing vs the Decwares?
Single ended vs push-pull?
Sh*t, so many questions!!!!
SE84 SET: Ethereal, 3D, liquid, does wonders with a digital front end, and with the right speaker can produce a rich and deep bottom end (due to a SETs low damping factor). Love the Decware and Artist with the RS5, and they will be a great mate with the RS7.
Elite 80 PP: Punchy and dynamic with excellent detail, tight defined bass, but not quite as liquid or 3D as the SE84 and Artist. Loves the Hoyt-Bedfords, and would work well with the Alnicos.
The Elite 80 also works really well with the RS5, but I prefer the Decware or Artist with the RS5, but really, at that point I think it boils down to my taste. All three are killer amps, and you wouldn't go wrong with any of them for your RS7.
Try one Decware first, not two. If you don't listen at party volumes a single one should be plenty. The downside with two (about double the power of one) is now it becomes a parallel SET with 2 tubes per output, and you will lose some of that SET magic. My favourite type of SET is: one tube per output, pure class A, zero negative feedback, non-ultralinear. The Decware and Artist check all these boxes.
One important item with Flea powered SETs is the output voltage of your source, it should be 2 volts or more.