SET amp owners thread

[Argonaut]

Technically not a SET, but they play as good as any. Found Music

Have you heard them ALL then ?

Monolith produce some very fine transformers indeed , an excellent choice , I am waiting on them developing a 2A3 / 45 double C core OPT from their Nanocrystalline range : http://www.monolithmagnetics.com/node/159?q=node/99

 

[Rhapsody]

Hello, You are very welcome. Both amplifiers are quite outstanding. I’ve had many ultra high end amplifiers over the years and I have to agree with you. The Ongaku was a dream amp of mine for many years. I always said one day I will own one. Well I finally got it and love it. When I got it I loved it so much I thought I would take it to the grave with me. This was until the Destination Audio GM 70 arrived.
I am actually willing to part with the Ongaku. Hate to do it, but there is a lot of money tied up in it. for cables I switch back and forth. I use both Hemingway Audio cables. The ZCore Sigma series. And I use EnKlein XerXes. As well. Hemingway is Copper and EnKlein is silver. With the Ongaku it does seem to prefer Silver slightly more than copper. The GM 70 sounds great on both. According to Sam Copper should be better and it is preferred. But EnKlein cables are done so right. That it doesn’t sound like silver. It just sounds very musical.
Don’t laugh but I just ordered some Belden Cables to play with on the GM70 and Nika. there are a few Destination Audio Owners out there that swear by it. I need to test and compare so I ordered it.

Audiolimits- Destination Audio makes super nice products! Are you a dealer for Destination Audio? Sorry if I missed it, I did not read back through all of the posts on this thread.

Understood that you are not a dealer for Kondo if you are in the US. Might be good to note it in your signature if in fact you are a dealer for Destination Audio.

 

[Kingrex]

Have you heard them ALL then ?

Monolith produce some very fine transformers indeed , an excellent choice , I am waiting on them developing a 2A3 / 45 double C core OPT from their Nanocrystalline range : http://www.monolithmagnetics.com/node/159?q=node/99

Of course not. But I have sat in decent rooms and heard a couple 300B, 2A3, GM50,, P50 own an 845 and 811. I get the flavor of what they do. This amp paired with the correct speaker will rival most any amp. Found Muisc has a 300B on his bench getting ready to go out the door. Scott is not a one trick poney wed to a KT88. That particular tube, my gear and retubing budget droe the selection.

I just updated my Mojo Audion DAC with nanocrystal chokes. They are good for more than just transformers.

 

[morricab]

Of course not. But I have sat in decent rooms and heard a couple 300B, 2A3, GM50,, P50 own an 845 and 811. I get the flavor of what they do. This amp paired with the correct speaker will rival most any amp. Found Muisc has a 300B on his bench getting ready to go out the door. Scott is not a one trick poney wed to a KT88. That particular tube, my gear and retubing budget droe the selection.

I just updated my Mojo Audion DAC with nanocrystal chokes. They are good for more than just transformers.

It’s a GM70…to my knowledge there is no GM50…there is a GU50, which is a power pentode that looks totally different than you showed.

 

[Kingrex]

My mistake on tube.

But I did mean to add. While its true a SET or similar type amp has a type of voicing quite different than SS or typical high power tub offereings, the speaker they are paired with may be more an influence on what peoples perceptions of SET are based upon.

If I heard that GM70 on a klipsch speaker, I might have a totally different impression.

And the power feeding this gear also matters. A lot. I have seen and heard a couple times now where stranded wire is getting blended into the electrical power supply. Stranded seems to add a dense heavy, wolly aspect. The dense and heavy has a level of bloat to it. And the wolly is well, just that. Not really desirable if your looking for clean and articulate. But, my guess is a lot of SET horn people don't have their systems sorted as well as they would like. The added bass and distortion are therby covering sins in their audio chain. Maybe a hot metalic diaphragm. Maybe improper crossover setting. A shouty speaker placement. It seems adding bass and glazing over improper horn setup is a band aid of sorts. I'm sure the owners are unawair what they are doing. I believe DDK was when he told people to use stranded and aluminum panels. I don't think its the appropriate way to deal with tuning issues. You can't reach the peak that way. Your going to plateau at a lower level.

 

[Argonaut]

Of course not. But I have sat in decent rooms and heard a couple 300B, 2A3, GM50,, P50 own an 845 and 811. I get the flavor of what they do. This amp paired with the correct speaker will rival most any amp. Found Muisc has a 300B on his bench getting ready to go out the door. Scott is not a one trick poney wed to a KT88. That particular tube, my gear and retubing budget droe the selection.

I just updated my Mojo Audion DAC with nanocrystal chokes. They are good for more than just transformers.

Pleased for your current personal amplification trajectory… however … from what you have disclosed , you really don’t seem to have enough personal exposure to make such a sweeping statement regarding all SE amplification .

 

[Kingrex]

Pleased for your current personal amplification trajectory… however … from what you have disclosed , you really don’t seem to have enough personal exposure to make such a sweeping statement regarding all SE amplification .

What do you feel is off the mark. I know better than anyone what aluminum in your panel and stranded wire does. I am thereby extrapolating how it may benefit a horn system. Correct, I have not heard many good horns. I have heard a lot more bad horns. I don't post about the systems that don't move me.

 

[the sound of Tao]

My mistake on tube.

But I did mean to add. While its true a SET or similar type amp has a type of voicing quite different than SS or typical high power tub offereings, the speaker they are paired with may be more an influence on what peoples perceptions of SET are based upon.

If I heard that GM70 on a klipsch speaker, I might have a totally different impression.

And the power feeding this gear also matters. A lot. I have seen and heard a couple times now where stranded wire is getting blended into the electrical power supply. Stranded seems to add a dense heavy, wolly aspect. The dense and heavy has a level of bloat to it. And the wolly is well, just that. Not really desirable if your looking for clean and articulate. But, my guess is a lot of SET horn people don't have their systems sorted as well as they would like. The added bass and distortion are therby covering sins in their audio chain. Maybe a hot metalic diaphragm. Maybe improper crossover setting. A shouty speaker placement. It seems adding bass and glazing over improper horn setup is a band aid of sorts. I'm sure the owners are unawair what they are doing. I believe DDK was when he told people to use stranded and aluminum panels. I don't think its the appropriate way to deal with tuning issues. You can't reach the peak that way. Your going to plateau at a lower level.

Rex I’d have thought most audiophiles are running with fairly stock power and in wall wiring. Or are you talking about power cables in the room?

 

[acousticsguru]

I'm using the Destination Audio GM 70 integrated amplifier and sometimes throw in my Kondo Ongaku. speakers are the Destination Audio Nika Horns.

Lovely! Using copper plate GM70s?

Greetings from Switzerland, David.

 

[Argonaut]

What do you feel is off the mark. I know better than anyone what aluminum in your panel and stranded wire does. I am thereby extrapolating how it may benefit a horn system. Correct, I have not heard many good horns. I have heard a lot more bad horns. I don't post about the systems that don't move me.

I am purely talking about your disclosure regarding your experience of such diverse SE topology amplification both commercial manufacture and also DIY which appears to be a little thin on the ground , to be making such a sweeping generalisation regarding your new amplifier in comparison . Have you experienced a Kondo Ongaku in your system ?

 

[Kingrex]

Rex I’d have thought most audiophiles are running with fairly stock power and in wall wiring. Or are you talking about power cables in the room?

There are some that upgrade their power and are running stranded wire in a steel pipe, or stranded MC to the rack.

After observing some of this and hearing some, I installed stranded to my rack. It had a colored presentation and veil.

I have a current project where the owner has a lot of noise and a pretty piercing horn presentation. I am trying to get back there to install stranded MC. I want to validate what I believe is going on. I think it will tame his system. I don't personally think its the right way to fix issues. I would rather he sort his equipment issues, room and speaker positioning.

 

[Kingrex]

I am purely talking about your disclosure regarding your experience of such diverse SE topology amplification both commercial manufacture and also DIY which appears to be a little thin on the ground , to be making such a sweeping generalisation regarding your new amplifier in comparison . Have you experienced a Kondo Ongaku in your system ?

Ahhh. You want to claim there are better amps out there. Well, there better be. I hope people spending $100,000 on an amp are getting their monies worth.
Aries Cerat, Audion, Air Tight, Western Electric, Vodo Audio, Whammerdyne are the ones I have heard. I have not had them in my system.

Please remember, I am distinguishing an amp built for my system. Scott did not feel a 300B was right. Not enough power to grip my woofers. If I had a true horn system he would have built a true SET low power amp. But that is not what I have nor feel I will have the opportunity to build.

If I do end up with the 5 acres property I am looking at with a 3 bay RV garage, I will probably build a room in a room. Then I will probably trade in my amp and have Scott build me a true SET and build a horn system like this. I would rather have a 15 inch woofer in a horn box.

 

[Kingrex]

I liked this horn woofer. I want the one that is half size.

 

[Argonaut]

Aries Cerat, Audion, Air Tight, Western Electric, Vodo Audio, Whammerdyne are the ones I have heard. I have not had them in my system.

My point exactly , If this is the sum total of your SET reference experience then your “Technically not a SET, but they play as good as any” Is pretty thin gruel No?
BTW Aries Cerat do not utilise any of the power output tubes that you include in your list , which model did you have experience with ?

 

[Argonaut]

Ahhh. You want to claim there are better amps out there. Well, there better be

Not in the slightest , where did I infer such ? I have already commented that your guy has chosen exceptional transformers for his builds.

 

[acousticsguru]

Ahhh. You want to claim there are better amps out there. Well, there better be. I hope people spending $100,000 on an amp are getting their monies worth.
Aries Cerat, Audion, Air Tight, Western Electric, Vodo Audio, Whammerdyne are the ones I have heard. I have not had them in my system.

Please remember, I am distinguishing an amp built for my system. Scott did not feel a 300B was right. Not enough power to grip my woofers. If I had a true horn system he would have built a true SET low power amp. But that is not what I have nor feel I will have the opportunity to build.

If I do end up with the 5 acres property I am looking at with a 3 bay RV garage, I will probably build a room in a room. Then I will probably trade in my amp and have Scott build me a true SET and build a horn system like this. I would rather have a 15 inch woofer in a horn box.

Cool stuff! Please excuse if I’ve missed this, but who built these multi-cells from birch ply?

Greetings from Switzerland, David.

 

[Argonaut]

Possibly Markus … https://klughoerner.com/en/ however there is no Klug logo bottom center cell !

 

[jeff1225]

Hello, the difference in sound between them is quite large.
The GM70 sounds much more real than the Ongaku. It also has more attack and speed. And the bass is significantly better. The best way to describe its sound is it is very lifelike. The vocals this amp puts out are unreal. It’s powerful,textured with pin point imaging. Same with instruments. When a guitar player is playing a guitar it sounds like it’s right in the room with you and you can tell when he is using a tube amp. Brass is also amazing and sounds like real brass. The piano is full bodied with attack on the notes. The Ongaku is much more laid back, it’s very holographic,slow and romantic. it sounds beautiful. But It appears to put a little added extra reverb into the mix. It does create it’s own space and kinda puts you in a bubble of audiophile like sound. But it doesn’t sound nearly as realistic as the GM 70. it does have a very nice soothing touch and no listener fatigue with great midrange and high’s. The bass is its weak point. It is nice and rounded but by comparison doesn’t have nearly the slam and speed or attack. Another beautiful thing about the GM 70 is the tuning is endless. The bias settings really change the sound a lot. And you can tube roll very easily and boy do tubes make a big difference in the amp. And then of course you can adjust bias again with each different tube combo. I can make this amp sound almost identical to Ongaku with tube combinations and bias adjustment. It’s really cool. Honestly I love both amps but if I had to choose one you might know which one I’d choose. Specially with all the tuning that can be done.

Are you a dealer for Destination and Audio Note Kondo?

 

[jeff1225]

My new love phase audio 6c33c mono amp 15 watt ,phantastic sound mesured perfect.
Input 6n23p-driver parallel 6n6p -6c33c svetlana wingend -c-
View attachment 120841View attachment 120842View attachment 120844

Can you give us more I go on these amps? Where are they made?

 

[Kingrex]

My point exactly , If this is the sum total of your SET reference experience then your “Technically not a SET, but they play as good as any” Is pretty thin gruel No?

Ok, The way I stated it can be seen as my saying the Blade amps sounds like the best SET out there. I don't mean to say that. My amp is not a SET amp driving a horn system. My speakers are open baffle 15" woofers with a 10" Coax/cast horn tweeter. My amp is designed to power a much lower efficiency speaker than a horn. It does what a SET probably can not do very well. It runs a 96 DB speaker with large drivers. But anyone who enjoys a SET type playback would find the Blade to be one of the best amplifiers out there to present in a similar fashion on a lower efficiency designed speaker. The presentation of sound is far more similar to a SET than it is to a high power tube amp like VAC, CJ, VT, Mcintosh ETC.

I personally believe a big part of achieving the sonics of a SET/Horn playback is the speaker itself. The amp and speaker are made for each other. If I had a horn, Scott would have made a different amp. My amp is not built to power a horn. For the type of speaker it was designed to power, I see no reason it wouldn't rival any top tier amp.