[Frihed91]

Currently using Quicksilver minis, which drives them easily in my tight quarters.  However, i want to experiment with the SET sound.  I simply won't consider other speakers, so don't try to change the subject.

[Scott F.]

Simple, a 211 (about 16wpc) or an 845 (about 28wpc).

How about the Opera Cyber 211/845?



Assuming you don't want to play at rock concert levels, this should do you just fine.

[Wind Chaser]

http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/

Take a number/stand in line and bring your pillow.  You'll be waiting for a while.

[SET Man]

http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/

Take a number/stand in line and bring your pillow.  You'll be waiting for a while.

Hey!

   That is a very nice amp but it is not a true SET amp but a paralleled SE amp.

Take care,
Buddy

[Frihed91]

The larger Opera would certainly work and I like the 845 a lot.  Thanks.

I have already had the McCalister experience.  You will find it memorable.

[Frihed91]

http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/

Take a number/stand in line and bring your pillow.  You'll be waiting for a while.

Hey!

   That is a very nice amp but it is not a true SET amp but a paralleled SE amp.

Take care,
Buddy

I am aware of that.  I am not a big fan of the 300B anyway and I find the deHavilland 45s too warm in the mid-range.

[SET Man]

Currently using Quicksilver minis, which drives them easily in my tight quarters.  However, i want to experiment with the SET sound.  I simply won't consider other speakers, so don't try to change the subject.

Hey!

    I think they aren't many true SET amp that would make a good match with those speaker. They are pretty low in sensitivity right? I don't know much about those speaker but I think there impedance is pretty flat right? If so that would be a plus for using them with SET.

    Seem like you will be looking at big Triode tube for this job. And Scott already mentioned the Opera 845. There are a few more that I could think off...

    deHavilland  845 and KR Audio Antares VA 320.

    The KR Audio use it own 842VHD tubes the same tube that I have in my Welborne Lab "Apollo" putting out about 18 watts per channel I used to use these amps to drive Magnepan 1.5 more than loud enough for me in my small room but not to concert level. This is not your grandpa's SET tube.

    With your speaker it will also depend on your room size and how loud you like to listen. If you know anyone that have SET you should borrow it or take your speaker to his place and give it a try before you buy any SET amp.

Take care,
Buddy

[Frihed91]

Thanks Buddy,  What do you know about Prometheus amps?

Yes, The speakers are 82dB sensitive, but very easy to drive (high impedance + flat).  I figure I need around 20Wpc.  The mini-mites are 25Wpc.  Quicksilver also makes a Pentode-based SET, but is still pretty low power.

[SET Man]

Thanks Buddy,  What do you know about Prometheus amps?

Yes, The speakers are 82dB sensitive, but very easy to drive (high impedance + flat).  I figure I need around 20Wpc.  The mini-mites are 25Wpc.  Quicksilver also makes a Pentode-based SET, but is still pretty low power.

Hey!

   Sorry, Never heard or seen the Prometheus amp.

   With 82dB sensitivity it is a bit tough to find a true SET amp for them.

   Yes, Quicksilver make amp based on 6550/KT88 in SE mode. And they are not the only one. Audio Note Kit also have a kit like this. But you will still get power about the same as 300B... 8 to 12 watts. I have heard many years ago that KT88 tube make a great SE amp. And I was looking into this type of amp before I decided to go with my current amps. If you can live with this low power than these could be a good alternative choice to the true SET amp like 300B since it won't cost you an arm or leg to replace those tubes

   I've heard the KR VA320 in my own system compared to my own amp using the same tube and they are both sound very close to each other. The KR VA320 seem to have a bit tighter bass and a bit quieter but mine are smoother and more dimensional I would say. The biggest difference is that the KR VA320 use transistor input stage but mine use all tube. And there is nothing tubey about these two amps.

  Anyway, with those speaker it would be tough. I think you need to establish of how much power you could really live with. Maybe if possible you could borrow a few amps to try? Good luck.

Take care,
Buddy

   
   

[zybar]

What about the Audio Mirror amps??

http://www.audiomirror.com/amps.html

I have heard very good things about them and they should have plenty of power.

George

[JoshK]

If you want to listen to anything other than very simplistic jazz ensembles and chamber music you will need some watts for speakers that low in sensitivity.  I'd suggest PSE, as single output tubes that can deliver more than a dozen and a half watts are rare and expensive.  No reason why PSE should be not be considered.  With speakers that low in sensitivity you aren't going to be able to tell the difference between PSE and one output tube SET anyway IMO. 

And by the way, I disagree with Buddy, PSE doesn't make it not a SET.  SET stands for singled ended triode, if you parrallel output tubes it can still be singled ended and still be triode, so it is still SET.  With McCalister, I don't know if it is an UL or Triode operated amp, so I wouldn't comment on it.

[SET Man]

...And by the way, I disagree with Buddy, PSE doesn't make it not a SET.  SET stands for singled ended triode, if you parallel output tubes it can still be singled ended and still be triode, so it is still SET....

Hey!

     Josh, I agreed with you on that somewhat. But this depend on how you look at it.

     Yes, you could parallel some triode tubes and operate them in single ended mode. And yes it is still a Single Ended amp with Triode tubes, but now it is a PSE amp with Triode tubes.

     I'm less knowledgeable than you when it come to electronic skill. But to me a SET amp or should I say a true SET amp will always be one that use a single Triode tube for it output stage and nothing more than that.

     And to Frihed91, Josh got a point there. With your 82dB speaker maybe a good PSE amps.... yes even one with triode tubes might be your next best thing to a true SET amp.

Take care,
Buddy

[Frihed91]

Thanks one and all. 

By the way, McCalister generally uses sweep tubes that are power pentodes and then runs them in triode mode (both the PP and SET models).  The designs are fine. 

I forgot to add, I just purchased a pair of Blue Circle 50Wpc monoblocks that hook up to 6922 tube preamp.  This combination sounds scarily like a DHT with my speakers.  Maybe I'm set up.  I need to sell some stuff anyway.  I've got 4 amps and preamps already.

Maybe if I can find some cheap full range fostex, i could live with those, but I haven't actually heard any (I don't think).

[zybar]

Thanks one and all.  By the way, McCalister generally uses sweep tubes that are power pentodes and then runs them in triode mode (both the PP and SET models).  The designs are fine.

And sound very good!!!

George

[Frihed91]

Thanks one and all.  By the way, McCalister generally uses sweep tubes that are power pentodes and then runs them in triode mode (both the PP and SET models).  The designs are fine.

And sound very good!!!

George

Yes, now that I have fixed the construction mistakes, my PP amp sounds very good.