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PP or parallel SET integrateds

173.171.116.139
Posted on April 7, 2014 at 15:04:21
saki70
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 2, 2006
 I would like to compile a list of PP or parallel , SET integrated amplifiers .
I am interested in either 2a3 or El-34 tubes in this topology , as I need
a minimum of 11 watts for my 92db. Di Capo I speakers .
The other parameters would include DHT , no NFB , class A operation and tube rectification . And all of this for $2k - $3k new or used . Is this possible ?

Thank You .
Saki70

 

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RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 7, 2014 at 19:06:37
Grinnell
Audiophile

Posts: 709
Location: Front Range
Joined: December 23, 2007
 I'm running my De Capos on 4 watts of Decware love in a 12 x 22 room open on the sides, not loud but sweet.

 

RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 7, 2014 at 23:01:25
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 8313
Location: Seattle
Joined: June 18, 2004
 8 Watts from a single 300B will be difficult to distinguish from 11 Watts from several parallel tubes.

 

RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 8, 2014 at 06:15:35
saki70
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 2, 2006
 First , thank you both for your responses .

I will add that I am trying to get that 'SET' sound with my present speakers . I don't want to limit the bass drivers ability with smaller
powered amps and can't handle the heat from something like an 845 tube .
I understand that it may be difficult to meet all of my requested characteristics but figured that I would try . I do have rather limited knowledge of what is available .

Please keep the list growing .
Saki70

 

RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 8, 2014 at 11:11:30
SETdude
Audiophile

Posts: 3944
Joined: January 20, 2000
 I have a Decware Mini Torii too and am driving Klipsch Heresy III's. Excellent sound. I recently bought an assembled TRK4388 on Agon just because. It is a very fine amp once you dial it in to taste with tubes and caps. Doing so will not break the bank. The Mini Torii can be used as a preamp and I will use it to drive this amp. Both of these are fine low power tube amps and tubes are cheap and plentiful.

If you want a 300B integrated check out the Shuguang S300I integrated. It is a Sterophile class B amp and is around $1000 used if you can find one.

Any of these will be fine with your speakers as long as you do not want to shake the walls.

 

RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 8, 2014 at 13:18:53
saki70
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 2, 2006
 Thanks for the rec but I am not able to do a kit assembly and don't know anyone who can .

Perhaps I am not being real clear in my request .
What I am seeking are recommendations for a Push Pull SET integrated amp
or a Parallel SET integrated amp using either EL-34 tubes or 2a3 tubes .

I like these tubes due to their ability to do extension well and provide the power that I need to drive my speakers with any type of music to any
volume level...no restrictions . 45 & 211 tubes will not provide enough power , even in the p/p or parallel circuits , 845's run too hot for my central Florida weather and 300b's seem to have compromised extension (at least in any configuration within my budget).
To drive my 92db. speakers in the manner that I desire requires about 10-11 watts .
The only amp , that I am aware of , is the Opera Consonance Cyber 10 Signature . But it is difficult to find so I am seeking an alternative or two that may be easier to find and a little more mainstream . This quest is an experiment and I want to be able to sell easily without much loss if it doesn't work out .
Thank You
Saki70

 

RE: PP or parallel SET integrateds, posted on April 8, 2014 at 14:25:37
SETdude
Audiophile

Posts: 3944
Joined: January 20, 2000
 I'm in Ft. Myers and there was a Shuguang 300B for sale in Sarasota on Agon for $900.

I good 300B integrated will get you where you want to go. So will a good KT88 integrated. Dennis Had is building them and other single ended pentode amps.

 

I have tried SET and PP on my Ref 3as, posted on April 9, 2014 at 01:14:02
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9181
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 And I ultimately preferred SET.

For reference the PP amp was the very nice VAC Renaissance 30/30 push pull triode (300B) in Class A zero feedback...I don't think push pull tube gets much better than this frankly. That said, I would still be open to trying something like the Coincident 211 PP or the Antique Sound Labs Cadenza (845 PP) or even Canary Audio monoblocks (again 300B PP).

I currently have the NAT Symbiosis SE, which is not a normal SET as it actually uses a single big MOSFET on the output (the rest is tube) but it is single ended. It seemed overall slightly more coherent and of one piece (I can kind of hear that PP amps are splitting up the sound somehow...maybe my imagination but it is a persistent feeling).

I will be getting soon a JJ-322 parallel 300B amp with about 20 watts and I can then give feedback on what a true all tube SET sounds like with them.

I have Ref 3a Master Control MMC speakers with Be tweeter upgrade and a pair of Ref 3a L'Integrales with Seas Excel tweeter upgrade (big improvement from the original Vifa tweeters that were in both).

 

RE: I have tried SET and PP on my Ref 3as, posted on April 9, 2014 at 08:13:08
saki70
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 2, 2006
 morricab ;
Thank you for your input .

Regarding your desire to try an 845pp , the 845 SET amps that I have seen would provide enough power for your or mine speakers in a straight SET circuit . I don't believe that the additional power derived from a PP circuit would be needed . I would try this amp myself if I lived in a cooler climate , as the 845 tube gets quite warm ! Just my opinion YMMV .
I would be interested in knowing how any of those amps , that you want to try , work out for you .

Happy Tunes
saki70

 

RE: I have tried SET and PP on my Ref 3as, posted on April 10, 2014 at 01:59:04
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9181
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 Yes an 845 SET would work just fine. I would recommend you try one from New Audio Frontiers if you can swing that kind of money...very good sounding amps!

Another one that sounds very good but for not so much money is the Cary CAD-572SE monoblocks. They make an honest 20 watts from their 572-3 tube and sound very alive and dynamic. Good amps for around $1500 - 2000.

I always wanted to try a parallel 300B SET so I am going for a JJ 322 stereo amp. It is truly dual mono though with two separate power supplies in the same (beautiful) chassis.

 

RE: I have tried SET and PP on my Ref 3as, posted on April 10, 2014 at 09:50:41
saki70
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 2, 2006
 Please let me know how that parallel circuit is compared to the pp version .

Happy Tunes
saki70

 

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