SET amp owners thread

[ferenc_k]

Usually you don't want to use more than about 20-25% of full power, so as to avoid the distortion that causes any SET to sound 'dynamic'.

Probably I was not clear enough, as I was talking about the Yamamoto magnetic footers, not about SET amplification as such.
Sorry for the miscommunication.

 

[greatliberator]

Not mine (yet, working on it).

I honestly can say, after living with a pair of Avantgarde Acoustics Trio and an original Kondo made Audio Note Kageki for some 8 years, this is far the most entertaining, emotionally involving and lifelike triode tube amplification I have ever tried. It just projects the music and does not matter what kind of source you are using. Finds the music in the pits, and in vinyl and in files, streaming too.

CLARINET AUDIO DESIGN | Giving Life To Recordings

CLARINET AUDIO DESIGN • Our company is specialise in designing and producing handmade high-end vacuum-tube audio amplifiers and devices to listen to music at home.

www.clarinetaudio.com

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Could not agree with ferenc_k more. I use a Clarinet Audio combo (pre-amp, L + R amp) with an Avantgarde Acoustics Trio - the system delivers incredible clarity and depth of sound, even when streaming or watching concert movies on Youtube (for streaming I use Lindemann Limetree Network). This set deserves attention. Waiting for the network streamer / DAC from Clarinet, also in the pipeline.

 

[ferenc_k]

Could not agree with ferenc_k more. I use a Clarinet Audio combo (pre-amp, L + R amp) with an Avantgarde Acoustics Trio - the system delivers incredible clarity and depth of sound, even when streaming or watching concert movies on Youtube (for streaming I use Lindemann Limetree Network). This set deserves attention. Waiting for the network streamer / DAC from Clarinet, also in the pipeline.

Very nice system, congrats.

 

[guf]

hi. I have a set amp.

 

[jeff1225]

hi. I have a set amp.

You have a great SET amp.

 

[bonzo75]

hi. I have a set amp.

Can you please describe your system in detail? The drivers, the details of the Mayer, analog etc? Thanks

 

[guf]

Can you please describe your system in detail? The drivers, the details of the Mayer, analog etc? Thanks

sure, Hi guys. It's all the standard TM stuff 45/2a3, 10y. LCR phono from 2018 and 2019. My amp can also use a 46 tube but i rarely do. Those are Klipsch Belle with standard upgrades-- Dcm-50 on that eliptitrac horn, and Cp 25 for the tweeter. ALK extreme slope crossovers. I have the Audiokinesis swarm, and a Rythmik sub. I've done a bunch of DSP and measurements for the subs but have settled on placement to achieve pleasant results. I have a pair of Altec Valencia with Werner's crossovers that are waiting to be played but I enjoy the Belles so much its hard to get motivated to shuffle huge speakers around my already packed house.

I'm using a PTP audio solid 12 (Lenco), Schroder 9 and Schick 12 arms, a bunch of carts but mostly have been using a My Sonic Lab and SPU's. I just got into analog 11 months ago. I have a 5 year old Big 7, thats up to current specs and do the DSD thing with HQplayer. It RARELY gets any play because I'm so into the vinyl.

I evolved into the low power amps and big speakers a couple years ago and have never looked back. Most will tell me I'm not doing it "right" --"I don't have enough power". Of course i've tried more poweful amps but I keep coming back to the 45 tube. For my listening style it sounds wonderful to me. Slightly better picture.

 

[jeff1225]

sure, Hi guys. It's all the standard TM stuff 45/2a3, 10y. LCR phono from 2018 and 2019. My amp can also use a 46 tube but i rarely do. Those are Klipsch Belle with standard upgrades-- Dcm-50 on that eliptitrac horn, and Cp 25 for the tweeter. ALK extreme slope crossovers. I have the Audiokinesis swarm, and a Rythmik sub. I've done a bunch of DSP and measurements for the subs but have settled on placement to achieve pleasant results. I have a pair of Altec Valencia with Werner's crossovers that are waiting to be played but I enjoy the Belles so much its hard to get motivated to shuffle huge speakers around my already packed house.

I'm using a PTP audio solid 12 (Lenco), Schroder 9 and Schick 12 arms, a bunch of carts but mostly have been using a My Sonic Lab and SPU's. I just got into analog 11 months ago. I have a 5 year old Big 7, thats up to current specs and do the DSD thing with HQplayer. It RARELY gets any play because I'm so into the vinyl.

I evolved into the low power amps and big speakers a couple years ago and have never looked back. Most will tell me I'm not doing it "right" --"I don't have enough power". Of course i've tried more poweful amps but I keep coming back to the 45 tube. For my listening style it sounds wonderful to me. Slightly better picture. View attachment 72651

I'm very impressed with this system, well thought out and perfectly executed. A couple of questions:

1. Where do you get those fully customized Klipsh Belles?
2. I have several skate board decks including a Miles Davis Bitches Brew, where did you get that set?

 

[guf]

I'm very impressed with this system, well thought out and perfectly executed. A couple of questions:

1. Where do you get those fully customized Klipsh Belles?
2. I have several skate board decks including a Miles Davis Bitches Brew, where did you get that set?

The Belles were stock, the horn is a MDF stacked , it came in kit form that was popular a few years ago. Then I built the "top hat" thats around the horn. Not a ton of respect for the Klipsch brand amongst modern day enthusiasts but i bet that most builders have had a pair at one time in their life. For me it was a way to get a low cost horn system that I could use my amp with.

Look to the right on the picture... Bitches Brew! They all come from the same place I think or i thought? The decks are Western Edition brand decks and I bought both around 2008 here in San Francisco at Skates on Haight. Maybe just a rumor but heard that there is some connection to Miles's family thats why they were able to do it. I also have these. Thanks for the appreciation!

 

[jeff1225]

The Belles were stock, the horn is a MDF stacked , it came in kit form that was popular a few years ago. Then I built the "top hat" thats around the horn. Not a ton of respect for the Klipsch brand amongst modern day enthusiasts but i bet that most builders have had a pair at one time in their life. For me it was a way to get a low cost horn system that I could use my amp with.

Look to the right on the picture... Bitches Brew! They all come from the same place I think or i thought? The decks are Western Edition brand decks and I bought both around 2008 here in San Francisco at Skates on Haight. Maybe just a rumor but heard that there is some connection to Miles's family thats why they were able to do it. I also have these. Thanks for the appreciation!

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An you have another pair of great full range speakers as well. Do they get much use?

 

[guf]

An you have another pair of great full range speakers as well. Do they get much use?

I loved them when I first put them in. I had a pair of the drivers that I played around with, trying some open baffle things. I never got around to building a box enclousure for them. These showed up locally for a great price and i picked them up and sold the raw drivers. I think i have forgotten how good the sound was but I remember loving it. The only thing with them is the enclosure is kinda cheap feeling. I carried them up my stairs by myself, whatever that means. I also carried one of my Valencia's up before i relaized that those might kill me. My Klipsch are 40 years old, my Altecs are 50 years old and both of them are in better shape than the Lii Audio flagship speaker. They are 2 years old. My Thomas Mayer 45 had no problem getting them to sound beautiful. I feel like i went about it the non traditional way of getting an amp as the centerpiece of my system and i only get speakers that work with them. Now that I have the 10y and the TM phono I never think about upgrading. Well....

My desktop computer system has a Sonic_oil 45 amp and I use a passive Slagle Elmaformer. With Omega single driver speakers ( the compact Alinco monitor). I sit about 2 feet from the speakers and its like wearing head phones. Also sounds really good for what it is.

i have a long time audio friend, he's a member here, that likes to suggest, likes to get me to spend WAY more money that I'm comfortable with. I end up with some really great gear. I listen to more music than I ever have. I'm grateful.

 

[Germanboxers]

sure, Hi guys. It's all the standard TM stuff 45/2a3, 10y. LCR phono from 2018 and 2019. My amp can also use a 46 tube but i rarely do. Those are Klipsch Belle with standard upgrades-- Dcm-50 on that eliptitrac horn, and Cp 25 for the tweeter. ALK extreme slope crossovers. I have the Audiokinesis swarm, and a Rythmik sub. I've done a bunch of DSP and measurements for the subs but have settled on placement to achieve pleasant results. I have a pair of Altec Valencia with Werner's crossovers that are waiting to be played but I enjoy the Belles so much its hard to get motivated to shuffle huge speakers around my already packed house.

I'm using a PTP audio solid 12 (Lenco), Schroder 9 and Schick 12 arms, a bunch of carts but mostly have been using a My Sonic Lab and SPU's. I just got into analog 11 months ago. I have a 5 year old Big 7, thats up to current specs and do the DSD thing with HQplayer. It RARELY gets any play because I'm so into the vinyl.

I evolved into the low power amps and big speakers a couple years ago and have never looked back. Most will tell me I'm not doing it "right" --"I don't have enough power". Of course i've tried more poweful amps but I keep coming back to the 45 tube. For my listening style it sounds wonderful to me. Slightly better picture. View attachment 72651

Great setup! I too am enthralled with Thomas’ work.

 

[Solypsa]

...I'm using a PTP audio solid 12 (Lenco), Schroder 9 and Schick 12 arms, a bunch of carts but mostly have been using a My Sonic Lab and SPU's. I just got into analog 11 months ago.

Pretty great analog for being 'new'

Very nice system. Which armwand material is the Schroder?

 

[guf]

Pretty great analog for being 'new'

Very nice system. Which armwand material is the Schroder?

graphite? its not the wood. Yeah I went for it. I was encouraged to spend the money and get something good, i think that made all the difference. I also had zero records. Lots of people told me not to get into it. When the question comes up on forums I always encourage people to jump in with both feet. I don't regret it one bit.

 

[Atmasphere]

My Klipsch are 40 years old, my Altecs are 50 years old and both of them are in better shape than the Lii Audio flagship speaker.

The biggest issue I've run into with the older high efficiency loudspeakers is breakups. The Altec for example has an aluminum dome diaphragm for its compression midrange. It has significant breakups and gets harsh when you crank it up (this might not happen if driven by a type 45 SET with only a single power tube). The horns I'm currently running employ beryllium diaphragms with Kapton surrounds; the first breakup is at 35KHz so they are very smooth, fast and detailed. Seems to me there are newer replacements (with better materials) for some of the older compression drivers- you might want to look into it.

 

[Solypsa]

I think he did already. ( mentions the dcm50 and cp25 in earlier post...)

 

[guf]

I think he did already. ( mentions the dcm50 and cp25 in earlier post...)

those are for the Klipsch. but thanks! my Altecs I barely listened to I was waiting for my new crossovers. They give me the opportunity to biamp and and even add a super tweeter. I will investigate the possible diaphragm issues. I'm pretty sure GPA has all that updated Altec stuff. Plan is to run the 46 tube with the Altecs.

 

[Zappadaddy]

Currently, I have the following:

JJ-322 parallel 300b with Aries Cerat Incito preamp driving Odeon Riggolettos

Aries Cerat Genus Integrated driving either Odeon La Bohemes or Dynamikks Monitor 10SLs.

MasterSound Dueundici (actually a SEP) driving Decware HDT single driver speakers.

Our listening room has Aries Cerat Diana Forte + AC Impera or Diana Integrated driving Dynamikks Monitor 12.18s.

Previous SET includes Ayon Crossfire III, Wall Audio Opus M50 monos, NAT Symbiosis SE (kind of a SET) and KR Audio VA350i.

JJ-322 are great, one of the best highs I have heard , very good midrange, just little weak for my Tannoy Westminsters

 

[Zappadaddy]

Aries Cerat Symphonia and Concero 65 Classics (but I have Diana Forte and Genus SET as well)

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so beautiful

 

[Zappadaddy]

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How would you compare JJ-322 and Wall audio monos?