Re: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power?

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Posted by FlaCharlie on March 27, 2006 at 14:15:11

In Reply to: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? posted by AbeCollins on March 27, 2006 at 13:38:15:

I assume you know that SET stands for Single Ended Triode and uses a single triode type output tube per channel. SET 45 will usually put out only 2 to 2.5 watts per channel. They are one of the lower power tubes. Wonderful sounding (some say the best, I don't have enough experience to say) but not a lot of power. If you like it loud you will want speakers that are more efficient than the ones you mention - probably 98-100+ db/m. That said, they CAN be used with lower efficiency speakers - you just won't have the volume. I built a Bugle 45 SET and, before I found some big, efficient, University speakers, I used them with a variety of lower efficiency ones. But then, I don't generally listen all that loud at home. The next step up would be the 2A3 at about 3.5 wpc and the 300B, which is usually about 8 wpc, although there are some circuits that squeeze more out of them I think. I mostly use vintage tube gear - most of which is push pull not single ended, and I get plenty of volume out of stuff that has 10-15 wpc or less. Lots of people say that "tube watts" are louder than SS watts, or it seems that way. Have you tried any type of tube amp with your speakers? I run vintage systems in the high school classroom where I teach and play music during class changes. I've run amps that are 12-14 wpc and vintage speakers that are maybe 90 db/m in a fairly large room and I've had high school kids ask me to turn it down because it's so loud. They can't believe it's so little power or that some 50 year old amp can sound so good. . . . Charlie

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? - AbeCollins 13:38:15 03/27/06 (23)

Have you concidered an 811 SET? - Vatron 11:21:08 03/28/06 (2)

Not real familiar with 811 tubes... - AbeCollins 16:05:21 03/31/06 (1)

Re: Not real familiar with 811 tubes... - Michael 10:39:57 04/01/06 (0)

PP 45 amp - Jimmy 07:06:02 03/28/06 (0)

Re: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? - msa 05:35:42 03/28/06 (0)

Abe, I have a pair of Antique Sound Lab Explorer 805 SETs... - jeffreybehr 15:48:41 03/27/06 (0)

That was quick. Thanks guys! - AbeCollins 15:20:56 03/27/06 (0)

Type 45 etc - elektron 14:48:47 03/27/06 (11)

Re: Type 45 etc - glenz 16:51:59 03/27/06 (10)

Re: Type 45 etc - elektron 09:38:25 03/28/06 (9)

Re: Type 45 etc - glenz 18:51:39 03/28/06 (0)

Re: Type 45 etc - glenz 18:46:39 03/28/06 (7)

Re: Type 45 etc - elektron 13:49:17 03/29/06 (5)

Re: Type 45 etc - glenz 14:36:15 03/29/06 (0)

Re: Type 45 etc - glenz 14:23:33 03/29/06 (3)

uniform standards of manufacture - elektron 16:25:19 03/29/06 (2)

Re: uniform standards of manufacture - glenz 17:11:11 03/29/06 (0)

Re: uniform standards of manufacture - glenz 16:52:08 03/29/06 (0)

Re: Type 45 etc - cleantimestream 06:07:47 03/29/06 (0)

Re: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? - Russ57 14:26:35 03/27/06 (0)

a 45 is a power triode with a directly heated filament... - mhardy6647 14:20:20 03/27/06 (1)

mo' on 45's - mhardy6647 14:22:48 03/27/06 (0)

Re: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? - FlaCharlie 14:15:11 03/27/06 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: What is an SET 45 amp? Typically how much power? - FlaCharlie 14:15:11 03/27/06 (0)

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