Suggestions on Best 45 or less watt SET type amps

Kingrex

Kingrex

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I am interested in trying some lower power amps. Maybe a SET type. I like meat and bones tone. Clean and clear but not harsch and thin. What have people tried and like. I could spend up to $5k on a used or new unit. Prefer less than 10 year old. I don't want to get into a recap etc job.
Thanks
 
I think you might have mentioned it in a different post but what speakers are you planning on using?
 
What speakers will you be using? The Trio 10? If so, if you haven’t already tried a low power amp in your system, in your room, I would consider doing that before buying an amp. Some of the Trio 10 models are not particularly sensitive (around 90 dB/w/m). If your room is large or you listen at loud volumes, a very low power amp may struggle to drive those speakers. And a “stressed” amplifier can sound bright and harsh (which is what you want to avoid).

Just something to think about if you really want to hear what a low-powered SET can do.
 
Well, as we discussed, I am really enjoying these Audio Mirror amplifiers. Vladimir responded to my inquiry and was extremely nice. They have a switch to deal with hum if you encounter any (I am not) which I know you are concerned with. From what is claimed they are one of the most powerful SET amps out there, at 45 watts each.

Certainly worthy of investigating. However I cannot speak of long term, etc., since they just arrived yesterday. So far, however, I am very impressed.

I know your main speakers are more efficient than mine, my KEFs are 89 dB. The amps have more than enough for me!
 
Kingrex said:
I am interested in trying some lower power amps. Maybe a SET type. I like meat and bones tone. Clean and clear but not harsch and thin. What have people tried and like. I could spend up to $5k on a used or new unit. Prefer less than 10 year old. I don't want to get into a recap etc job.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have the pure audio project trio 15 with horns at 96db efficient.
 
Dth31 said:
What speakers will you be using? The Trio 10? If so, if you haven’t already tried a low power amp in your system, in your room, I would consider doing that before buying an amp. Some of the Trio 10 models are not particularly sensitive (around 90 dB/w/m). If your room is large or you listen at loud volumes, a very low power amp may struggle to drive those speakers. And a “stressed” amplifier can sound bright and harsh (which is what you want to avoid).

Just something to think about if you really want to hear what a low-powered SET can do.
Click to expand...

I may have misinterpreted your title. Thought you were considering a 45 “tube” amp, which in single-ended mode might put out 1.5 W.

FWIW, HiFiKnights reviewed one of the Trio 10 models, and the reviewer seemed to think that even the First Watt F7 wasn’t able to drive them well.

Another FWIW. I had perhaps been brainwashed to think that SET amps were inherently superior to push pull amps. I recently built an EL34 PP amp from Audio Note Kits, and it may be my favorite amp on my AN AN/E’s. Over the years, I came to favor 2A3 amps over 300B, but this EL34 amp is special. To get the power you may need, don’t rule out PP amps.
 
I probably wasn't really clear. I don't want anything over 45 Watt. I have no preference to the type of tube. I currently have Altec Lansing push-pull amplifiers that use el34 on the grid and 811 on the power. They put out about 135 Watts. I'm just looking to try something different. I thought an amp that might need to open up a little at moderate volumes. Mine is really just idling most of the time when I play it. People talk about SET magic. I'm just curious.
 
I have a pair of Troels Graveson J8008 corner speakers that like my SS Valvet E2 amp much better that my Coincident Frankenstein 300B amps.
On the flip side, my Audiokenesis Zephrin speakers don't like the Valvet amp at all.
Both are similar in rated output power.
Just like cables, I have found the pairing of amps and speakers are system dependent.
Also while efficiency does matter, you must also take into account the minimum impedance of the speaker being driven.
As an example, Legacy speakers are generally fairly efficient but most have a pretty deep dip in the lower end impedance which requires an amp with some guts.
 
puroagave said:
gave up on SS? the list of SET amps that output 45WPC has got to be very short. even 20 good SET watts will likely cost more than 5k.
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I was all ready to get the Luxman M600A. Had some trade ins all worked out. I just couldn't pull the trigger in the end. I really like the harmonic structure tube seem to bring two saxophones, violins, piano notes. I think that's the more important part of music to me. Not as much the tight very controlled grip solid-state can bring. I don't want my top rolled off either, but I'm willing to have a little softer side there then what solid-state can bring.

What about the decware triodes. You buy two of them and get 6 Watts.

What about the Sophie amps. There's a few in the 2000 to $2,500 range.
 
If it were me, I would recommend an amp with at least 15-20 W/ch. For a SET, that pretty much means either 845 or 211. If you would consider PP or PSE, then you could consider a 300B. But for those speakers, I suspect you might want to try PP or PSE 845/211 to get closer to 40-50 W/ch.
 
Kingrex if you want an SET amp the trannies are important for good sound. I have Coincident Audio Frankenstein 300b monos which are very nice and in your price range. Surpisingly their bass is very good for a SET amp and have extended highs.

Maybe try a First Watt SIT-3 amp, if there are any still available. Nelson Pass is only building 250 units. I have my about a month and it is wonderful. Really beautiful tonality. It sounds somewhat like a cross between a SET amp and good Class A SS amp. I think Nelson said it works best with a 8ohm to 4ohm speaker.
 
First Watt are great sounding amps. The one I had was very nice, but I feel the SET monos I have now are a little sweater sounding!
 
Hey Joe, I have not heard the SIT-3. I owned a F6 and loved it. It was one of many steps relearning this crazy hobby.
 
Frankenstein V2 looks interesting. Since people are talking about PP, has anyone heard the Found Music Blade amps. 27 watt with a EL34 or 6CA7. I have heard it in a friends system. it's better than mine. More money. Just curious
 
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