Valvet E2-SE

joeinid

joeinid

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https://highend-electronics.com/pro...tate-single-ended-class-a-dual-mono-amplifier

I’ve been listening to my Valvet E2-SE for the past couple of weeks. I had the original E2 then upgraded to the new SE version. Both are superb with the original being ever so slightly warmer and only in comparison the SE version is a little cleaner and more open.

It has 12/20 wpc for 8/4 ohms. Definitely feels a little more powerful but this is one heck of a beautiful sounding amp.

If your power needs are not insane, this is a definite must have amp. I think mine has reached the point of break in and was absolutely wonderful last night.

I’ve been using it with my Misho Wooden preamp and since last week, the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2 - a perfect preamp.
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Correction. Rear photo is not the SE version - photo below is the SE version.

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Mr Peabody said:
Someday if/when I have some room I wouldn't mind playing with a single end set up
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I am so hooked on SET now, it's wonderful. As long as you are not playing any head banging rock 'n roll through the SET, it's all good!
 
Can you compare the Valvet to the Pass XA25? I'm really interested in how these two compare? Thanks,
 
Hi,

It's been a while since hearing the XA25 in my system. I only had the Avantgarde Duo at the time and I didn't feel the XA25 was quite right for those speakers. It's a pretty neutral amp. It's absolutely necessary for the more difficult to drive speakers. It puts out almost 50wpc into 8 ohms from a review I read.

If you can get away with the 12wpc of the E2-SE, I would easily take that over the XA25 and I am a huge Pass fan. The E2 and E2-SE are a little sweeter, the SE version being a ever so slightly more neutral but cleaner and more open on top. The non se version, only in comparison, seems to have a tiny bit of a veil on top but the SE lets you hear deeper into the music. The E2SE is open, sweet, airy, very 3D and very musical.

The XA25 has superb control and is not as sweet being push-pull vs SET. I think the Valvet has a single gain stage so it's closer to typical SET without any drawbacks of tubes. The XA25 seems to have more control and a tighter bottom end.

For me, it all depends on speaker choice and efficiency. I'd pick the E2-SE over the XA25 if you can live with the power of the Valvet. Otherwise, the XA25 is a superb amp and hands down my next choice for low power amp.

What speaker were you planning on using?


Don Ivey said:
Can you compare the Valvet to the Pass XA25? I'm really interested in how these two compare? Thanks,
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Sorry it took so long to respond, and thanks for the info. I would probably use them with either Audio Note E/Spe HE's or Klipsch Cornwalls. Thanks,
 
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