Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Korneff 45SET Amplifier (Tube) by Jon L

Model:	45SET
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1600-1700
Description:	2 watt/channel 45 SET
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Jon L on May 20, 2002 at 12:50:12
IP Address: 162.119.232.100

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I wish this hobby was simple and easy. Get a 45SET into your system, and Voila! Well, it's been a long journey. Any time you are dealing with 2watts, you undoubtedly have to deal with speaker issues. Initially, I had my Quintessence speakers upgraded with high-sensitivity drivers, the Esg2 ribbon tweeter and Focal 7K2 midrange. I got honest 94dB/flat 7ohm out of my treble/mid module, which is driven by SET(140 Hz and up). Bass modules are driven by SS amp via Bryston active crossover.
With a "normal" 45ST tube like Sylvania, I felt too restricted in my volume levels. I do like to listen to music pretty loud, and I dabble in all genre of music, including dance music, metal, classical, but most of all jazz vocals. I could hear clipping with sudden vocal peaks. 2 things fixed this problem. And no, I didn't get horns.
First thing was the arrival of Vaic VV45 (Thanks, Gordon Rankin). Right away, things sounded much better, but most of all, I could get higher volume. I'm pretty sure VV45 is making more than 2 watts in my amp.
Second thing was fiddling with speakers again. Esg2 was replaced by bigger Esg3, and crossover was modified and streamlined to use as few parts as possible. This ended up giving me about 95 dB sensitivity, which on paper is only 1dB higher than before. But now I have all the volume I need for 99.99% of my listening. I think the simpler crossover was key.
What about the sound, you ask? The Korneff 45 SET sounded GREAT out of box, but I made some mods. I changed the signal wiring to 24AWG solid silver/teflon (didn't hear much difference, though). Then I replaced solen coupling caps with Relcap teflon cap (Large improvement). I also ditched the electrolytics for Solen polypropylenes (not as much improvement as teflon coupling cap change). Most users of Korneff 45 SET are plenty happy without mods, but I guess I'm the kind of audiophile who can't leave well-enough alone.
With the mods above and whole lot of tube rolling, I ended up with Sylvania VT231(sometimes CBS 6SN7GT), VV45, and "TungSol" 5R4GYA. I also found that silver foil/Ubyte-2 speaker cables and power cords are just what the doctor ordered for this SET.
After all that, this is the best-sounding amp I've ever heard anywhere. Top to bottom, it's flat and neutral as a ruler. Treble has the sparkle and detail of the best solid state amp, yet much more "human" and non-fatiguing. Bass (driving my bass modules)is some of the best bass I've heard, tube or SS! So nuanced, taut, and fast. Then again, it's the Midrange/vocals that just knocks my socks off. Absolutely captivating. Some have called it "spooky real," and that's accurate. Teflon coupling cap mod really did a number on midrange detail and palpability, improving what was already fantastic. Imaging/soundstaging? The best I've heard.
I won't go on and on about every aspect of sound, but let me give you an example. I was playing 24/96 remaster of Armstrong/Ellington "The Great Summit" album when I had to take care of some "business" in the restroom. Inside the hallway restroom, with doors closed, music playing in the living room, I could swear that Louie was playing his trumpet in my house! This is not an exaggeration, either.
It tooks months to get everything just right, just so... But it was well worth it. I must thank Jeff Korneff for producing such a superb amp for pretty much peanut$$ and for answering all my pesky questions. I'm also indebted to Andre at e-speakers.com for the hard work he put into my speakers, twice!
So what are you guys still doing here? If you've got the speakers, go get this amp already!

Product Weakness: NA
Product Strengths: NA

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	See inmate system
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	SAA
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	SAA
Speakers:	SAA
Cables/Interconnects:	SAA
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	SAA
Room Size (LxWxH):	NA x NA x NA
Room Comments/Treatments:	NA
Time Period/Length of Audition:	NA
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	SAA
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner