rogerh113

Thanks for all of the input. In the process of seeing what was out there in terms of SET amps, I ran into a discontinued project that was too good to pass up. This should be a fun and educational experience for me, building an amp from scratch. I was trained as an EE back in the day of the discrete transistor, and also have adequate skills in soldering and routing. As I slowly plod through putting the amp together, I can work on each aspect of the amp and learn about it. Really looking forward to it. Beyond that, I can eventually (hopefully) get to listen to a SET amp driving my system. Regards -- Roger

Is there a change in the 'characteristics' of SET sound as you move up the power range? I do realize that this is a general question as there are all the variables of makers, listeners, systems, etc. The spectrum of power relevant to the Klipsch seems to range from 3.5 WPC to 50 WPC (and maybe up, if it exists). Is something like the WAVAC at 50 going to have the sweet sounding characteristics as the 3.5, or is something lost in the translation. I am trying to place myself in the general power spectrum, and would like to know if something is lost on moving up the power spectrum (aside from the thickness of your wallet). If there is, then crowding the lower end to the min possible might be desirable. If not, then you just need to make sure you have enough. Also, do the higher power amps, running at lower driven levels, handle bass and treble better, or is there no difference relative to a lower power amp being driven close to the limit. Thanks again for all of your comments and help - things are starting to become a bit more clear. Regards -- Roger

Very nice set up !! Which SET amp are you using?? Almost afraid to ask what BLC is...... Also, Mr. Smith, what wps does your set deliver (and which one, if you are willing to divulge....) Thanks -- Roger

Hello, Thanks for all of the input. My 'listening room' is about 18 x 30, with the speakers positioned on the short wall about 1' out from the corners (with slight toe in). Listening position is about 18' from the wall with the speakers. Both my wife and I prefer moderate listening levels - loud music is of no interest. The amp is a Primaluna Prologue 5 with tube upgrades (bugle boy 12au7s and sylvania 5751 black plate triple getter). I have spent some time and effort to tune the overall system, and overall it actually sounds very good. - It seems that the music is still a bit veiled (I experienced a substantial unveiling when I replaced the Classe DR4 preamp with the passive line stage). If it makes any sense, then I might also call it a bit hot. - There is a volume level where the music 'blooms' which is about at 9 o'clock - real close to max volume for comfortable listening for me. I don't know if I am finally getting to the meat of the amp, if the volume pot is finally coming into its own, or maybe something else. - It may be unwarranted, but it seems that in attenuating the signal to the degree I am, I am just losing content of the signal, and once lost no amount of amplification will restore it. This could just be a mental issue with no basis in reality...... I am located in Los Altos in the SF Bay Area (Silicon Valley). I agree that the best approach is to hear a SET to see if the sound of it is compelling. From what I hear of the descriptions you have provided, it seems like it fits into the direction I would like to go. I am a bit concerned that every time I resolve one 'sound' issue, I manage to find something else to deal with. Hopefully at some time that will resolve itself, or maybe as the system improves another 'flaw' is revealed. Regards -- Roger

Hello - I have a set of Forte I speakers, and am considering a SET amp to drive them (vs my current tube PP amp). A major driving force is the fact that even with a passive line stage, I can turn the volume no more than 1/4 (9 o'clock) for max tolerable listening - the power amp is 35wpc. I figure I am attenuating the signal from my source by 75% (assuming the volume pot is linear) only to boost it back up again. Probably having some, potentially significant, impact on sound quality. In any case, if anyone has listening experiences, set wpc necessary to drive the klipsch well, tube comparisons, etc would be useful. If you moved from push pull to set, I would be particularly interested in what you though (positives and negatives). Thanks -- Roger