Posted by Dave VH on April 22, 1999 at 10:36:42:
In Reply to: Yet another SE amp (part express) posted by Ed on April 20, 1999 at 14:00:38:
If you look at what's available, Doc Bottlehead's "Electronic Tonalities" amps with input and speaker connections on a flat piece of metal and a low-budget web-site is about the lowest priced stuff that I would recommend investigating. Prices start at $400 for his 6DN7-based ParaS.E.X. monoblock kits, and even that amp with "good" transformers is 900 assembled. As you already know, the Zen SV-83 (an EL-84 variant) pentode in triode mode amp from Steve Deckert and the AS-USA EL-84 pseudo-triode (which is also available from Vacuum Tube Valley) are excellent little 4-5 watt amps. These are the entry points into decent SE sound.
Since you seem to be searching for power more than purist SET magic, the classic 2A3 ($1k - $2k) and 300B (typically $1.5K - $4K and higher) amps may not do it for you. Good medium power (20-30 watt) SE amps, start at about $1.5 for used monoblocks like the Cary 572SE (actually a great bargain for someone looking at higher-power SETs), and $2.5K for either used Cary monoblocks, or new Welborne Apollo mono-block kit's with the KR300BXLS tubes.
I went to the Parts Express web site, but didn't see any tube amps. However, the 211, 811A and other transmitter or power tubes are not designed for audio, and have a reputation for not having the SET magic of the 2A3 and 300B. Cary seems to have done a good job with their $9k, 50 watt 805-based monoblocks, and you can get a pair of Wavac 833's (pictured above) for a mere $100k (although I did see a demo pair of these monsters listed for sale recently for $50k). A demo Wavac 50wpc stereo SET amp based on the Svetlana 572's is currently listed at Audioshopper.com for $5K. There is still some debate whether any of these other amps have the "SET magic" of the high-quality classic 300B or 2A3 amps.
I think that it is unlikely (but not impossible) that you will find a sleeper from an unknown company that is a great amp. Audio Note, Bel Canto, Cary Audio, KR Industries, Lamm Laboratories, Manley Labs, Wavac, Wavelength Audio, Welborne Labs, Unison and Mastersound (both from Italy), comprise the handful of companies making medium to high powered SET amps.
Just be aware that the 811-3, 572, KR300BXLS and other new variants are single-source tubes, and do not offer the option of tube-rolling, or replacements from other tube companies. And also be aware that a 92-95dB or higher efficiency speaker with a flat impedance curve driven by a SET will make music with both delicacy and loudness that will amaze you. The dynamic ease and openness of such systems is amazing. Probably the main thing that some folks lust after that doesn't seem to be available with SET's and high-efficiency is deep bass slam.
But it's all a matter of taste. What brings true enjoyment for a given person listening to an audio system, after all, is as subjective as the music we listen to.
Ah, yes, I've rambled once again. But I've enjoyed learning about tube audio again over the last year, and it looks like you're searching for alternatives, just as I do. It's just my retirement investment goals that are taking priority and keeping me from moving to a good SET soon. But If I were in your shoes, and serious about SET amps right now, I would consider the used Cary 572 monoblocks. They're used, and you wouldn't lose much if you had to re-sell them.
Dave VH
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