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Stupid 5w SET Amp

bsujeep

bsujeep

Go Boise State!!!
A few days ago I was lucky (unlucky?) enough to have cableguy loan me (and divotdog) Dolly the first Olson clone SET amp built by redboy. Then divotdog decides I need to hear what a dual mono amp sounds like and loans me his Adcom GFA-535II. I know NOTHING about tubes, they are round and clear for the most part and get warm that's it. I don't have a bunch of really quality amps around or preamps for that matter so I decided to do a newby poormans amp shootout with absolutely no science at all.

Preamp- I have pre outs on the CR-2040 that will do.

Amps (integrated and the 2040 of course)
Adcom GFA-535II
Sony TA-N55ES
Technics SU-V10X integrated
The Yammie
Dolly

Speakers

Klipsch Forte with Crites crossover kit and titanium tweeters (autoformer not installed yet redboy)

I listened to several different types of music played on a PL-518 with AT-20ss through the 2040 and the radio.

This is not meant to be in anyway definitive.

Each had their strong points and it was really fun to get to listen to each of them Voice their own style.

Sony had a nice sound stage with more width than depth and a little strong in the bass.

Technics was almost the opposite of the Sony with much more depth than width.

Adcom was pretty even of the group with soundstage but like the sony was a little strong in the bass, but was tighter.

Yamaha was nice a little more width than depth with good bass.

Stupid SET amp just sounded RIGHT. I can't really put it into words it just sounded Right. Very balanced engaging. Stupid thing. You know what this is going to mean don't you. I will have to sell my truck and take the bus to work just to pay for them.

Nothing against the others I really like them and other than the ones I don't own will be keeping them. They all have their merits and uses.

CRAP!! :D I hate the bus.

Thanks cableguy!!!

what a bunch of enablers :yes:
 
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Hello

Yes, SET can be awesome. I do most of my listening with my SET in the office at a blazing 2.5 watts with Fostex FE167E's. Piano sounds really nice on mine. Peace. Robert
 
I am not even sure if I know what to do next. I have only been a member since last may and I am not going to foray into tubes before my first year is up! OK I am not going to foray into tube I OWN before my first year.:D

This has been a really fun intro into tubes. I hope someday I can make a more permanent venture.:thmbsp:
 
bsujeep said:
Stupid SET amp just sounded RIGHT. I can't really put it into words it just sounded Right. Very balanced engaging. Stupid thing. You know what this is going to mean don't you. I will have to sell my truck and take the bus to work just to pay for them.

Nothing against the others I really like them and other than the ones I don't own will be keeping them. They all have their merits and uses.

CRAP!! :D I hate the bus.
Click to expand...
Hah! :D
 
They work especially well with efficient speakers such as Klipsch. Lower efficiency speakers sound good at low volume, but SET's quickly run out of steam with lower efficient speakers and sound compressed very quickly at higher volumes.
The rise in popularity of SET goes hand in hand with the rise in popularity of horn loaded speakers.
 
Once I heard SET, I never looked back. I started with the 300B, because I figured I had to have at least 8 watts per channel. Then I upgraded to Welborne Moondogs 2A3 amps at 3.5 watts per channel. After that I could not resist the 45 Tube. So I am now on my second 45 amp The Welborne Starchiefs. With a massive 1.8 watts per channel into my Khorn/Altec 104db speakers. My wife is still telling me to 'Turn it down':D

The 45 SET amp tube is something special. I own a lot of other amplifier topologies, but they don't have that special 'Magic' that the SET amp brings. Especially the 45 SET.

45AmpsHome.jpg








I own others, but not for serious listening.
 
Loaning a solid state guy a SET is nothing short of robbery, if you listen to one in your home system, you are going to buy it.

My stereo dealer just pulled that same scam with me. I stopped in to buy a $15 pack of capstans for my Nitty Gritty, and he sends me home with a SET 'just to try out' for a week.

2 weeks later, my McIntosh gear is gone, as is a very nice High Standard Olympic pistol, and I'm getting damn close to having him payed off.

If you'd have told me a month ago I would drop 2k on an amplifier, I'd have told you you were nuts. But such is SET; it sounds different, and IMO better than anything else out there.
 
I think I am going to have to start building stupid SET amps. Does it have to be SET or would stupid SEP amps please people, too?
 
OK so what does SET and SEP stand for? I was assuming that SET was single ended tube, but the P has me baffled. Not too tough to do however.
 
bsujeep said:
OK so what does SET and SEP stand for? I was assuming that SET was single ended tube, but the P has me baffled. Not too tough to do however.
Click to expand...

SET - Single Ended Triode --- SEP - Single Ended Pentode

I'd go with a 45 Triode for the real deal - You'll probably end up here anyway
 
Dammit cutthroat, I've been fighting off the 45 curse for a couple years now, and you p[osting this kind of stuff ain't helping. I even have some iron and tubes, so.......................................................:music:
 
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