jcmusic Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 I need a little info, What's the difference between a SET amp and a PUSH PULL amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 Canyonman, A SET topology amp is a low powered Single Ended Triode amp. It uses a single power tube for power. For example a 2A3 SET amp, perhaps the most popular of the bunch produces 3.5 watts per channel. They are very sweet sounding amps, and work well with the high efficiency Heritage horns. A PP amp, is called this because it is Push Pull methodology. It uses, say two, power tubes that work in tandem to produce higher power. Most tube amps are PP amps. there are others on the forum who can explain the tech issues involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 12, 2006 Author Share Posted March 12, 2006 Daddy Dee, thanks for the info that helps a little, i am not so much worried about the technical part as i am the tone and the sound. what's more important to me is the difference in the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 Yeh, SET is known for it's lush midrange. It sounds fabulous with acoustic jazz and female vocals. Ssome of my favorites are among those. Somepeople describe the sound of SET as magic. It's not of course, but it does have some very realistic and live sounding characteristics. PP will have more punch and bass dynamics. It's pretty interesting, actually to hear the two topologies. There is a difference. Some people REALLY love the sound of SET. It leaves some folks cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 12, 2006 Author Share Posted March 12, 2006 Daddy Dee, Your personal opinion on the two. Which do you like and why? Moreover what kind of amp do you have in your system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 I actually like both of them. Have got a pair of Wright 2A3 amps and think they sound fabulous... particularly with my favorites... Diana Krall and various acoustic and electric blues. Also have a pair of Dynaco Mark III's which are about 60 wpc. They are very clean sounding and I like the bass dynamics they offer. Picking one, tough choice, but I'd probably take the Dynacos, for their all round performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 I've yet to hear a SET amp I could live with long term. I just need more dynamics because of the different types of music I listen to and to me, a low powered SET amp peters out before I get the dynamics I'm after, even at lower volumes. I've heard a few that were supposed to be the cat's meow and they sounded dull and lifeless to me. Others will strongly disagree which is fine. To each his/her own. I've been saying that a lot lately.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 garymd, to name a few that were suppose to be the cat's meow? which ones were they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Bottlehead Wright Welborne Labs Jeff Lessard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Canyonman, I've heard a couple different ASL (Antique Sound Labs) SET amps, both a 2A3 and 300B, a couple different Wright amps, and a few others that I can't remember. I'd have to ask the owners what they were. A couple were pretty darn expensive. I've also heard a couple cheaper SETs that were just horrible IMO (DARED and Decware come to mind). Some folks love them and I respect their opinions. They're just not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 For a preamp to go with any of these, I think a bang for the buck champ (and fabulous quality) Juicy Music Merlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 What about intergrates, any opinion on those? You did not like the deware? I read alot of good things about those amps. What kind of amp is the scott 299? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 My only experience with integrated amps is with vintage gear. Scott 299b Scott 299c Scott 222c Eico HF-81 These are all very good, if rebuilt well. The market is somewhat pricey on original units now, making it somewhat expensive to buy one of these on Ebay and then send it off to a rebuilder. NOSValves.com is a good one and a member of this forum. In terms of bang for the buck, if you can find one of these that has been compentently rebuilt, it can be a very nice unit. If someone else has paid for the rebuild, you can save some bucks. There are some current manufactured tube integrated amps on the market, but I have no experience with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I certainly prefer the 2A3, itself a wonderful tube, and if that means SET, then so much the better, classic Klipsch corner Khorns are some of the few spkrs that low-powered 2A3 amplifiers can actually drive <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The push-pull topology divides the signal to supply more power and as unbelievable as it may seem, we do seem to be able to detect a lack of coherency with P/P amplifiers, On the other hand, I have a powerful sub to help my $500 BottleHead 2A3 Paramour monoblocks (kit) and I cant really see using something like them unless you do have a solid-state amplifier to drive the bass Refurbished vintage integrated tube amplifiers - like the Scott, especially when refurbished by somebody like fellow poster NOSvalves - are the third best bargain in audio, right behind big ole horns and the $35 Sonic Impact 5066 class T digital amplifier! [H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 OK, So what type of amp is the scott 299, P/P or SET? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 P/P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamer Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I certainly prefer the 2A3, itself a wonderful tube, and if that means SET, then so much the better, classic Klipsch corner Khorns are some of the few spkrs that low-powered 2A3 amplifiers can actually drive On the other hand, I have a powerful sub to help my $500 BottleHead 2A3 Paramour mono blocks (kit) and I cant really see using something like them unless you do have a solid-state amplifier to drive the bass Hello,My 2 channel setup reflects Colins thoughts here.I run my Scala's 2way with a 511/902 for the highs,these being driven by Wavelength Gemini monos (2 watts per side with the 45 tube,4 watts with the 2a3).The lows are driven by SS power.The signals are divided by an active x-over before the amps.I find this combination to be very satisfying.The midrange is incredible as most SET amps are known for,and the bass power issue is covered by the SS amps.Granted it is a more expensive route to nirvana but worth the results imo.I feel I have maximized the sonic traits and low power output of the SET design,just another road to explore.Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 steamer i see where you had some decware gear at one time, how did you like that stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamer Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 steamer i see where you had some decware gear at one time, how did you like that stuff? I still have them and doing a comparison with these new Wavelength's.I must say the WL's are very good, better than the Decwares in most ways but not as much as you would think.Different tubes,different flavor.The Decwares have alot of that magic. The Decwares retail for $750 ea.Mine are modded internally for mono.Thus 2 amps with the output tubes parreled.These WL retail for $5500 new(I would not pay that much and found them used). In comparing them I am impressed with the Decwares for their price in my system configuration.The WL's are better for sure but we are talking different tubes and designs for each amp.I cant say the sound is the same except for maybe the SET design.I really like the sound of the 45 tube.I haven't heard the 2a3 tube in them yet.Only had them in the system 2 days.The Decwares use the EL84/6bq5 output tube.A nice sounding tube imo.Some people on this forum don't care for them(Decware)and that is ok.We all have different tastes.I think the Decwares are a very good amp in the right system.In mine I found them to be very clear and smooth with lots of detail.I also have some very good tubes in them ie.Mullard rectifiers,RCA 6bq5 power and Siemens 6922 drivers,all NOS. If I didn't have this itch to explore the 45 and 2a3 tubes,I could be perfectly happy with the Decwares.I have spent way to much the last year and cant afford both sets of amps. In fact the Decwares are part of a trade/cash deal for the Wavelength's and not mine anymore.Randy the previous owner of the WL's told me to keep the Decwares for a week or so and make a direct comparison.If I didn't like the WL's then send them back to him.Great guy to work with.I have to say as good as the Decwares are(in my system)these Wavelengths are staying with me. Greg a pic of the Geminis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 Greg, the reason i ask is i picked up a scott 299 to try out. You know to see if i would like the tube sound or not. I am sold on the sound i really like what iam hearing. So i am trying to decide on what setup to go with, intergraed amp, or seperates. I looked at the Decware stuff among others and was kind of leaning in that direction. The prices are not too bad and you get that lifetime warranty, i kind of like that. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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