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

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Posted by Russ57 on March 27, 2006 at 14:26:35

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

[They are 91db efficient Tannoy D500s with 8" drivers. They do ok with about 30wpc but they really come alive with a robust solid state amp.]
Typically Tannoy does okay with tubes but I assume your speakers are newer ones. In many respects it isn't so much how efficent the speakers are as much as it is how constant a load they present to the amp. In any case I would say your speakers are not "SET" friendly.

[Are there any worthy SET amps I should investigate that put out more than 10 - 15wpc but less than the big 50+ wpc Cary 805c?]
The 300B is in that 10-15 watt range depending on the tube used but the short answer to your question is no. If you want more than 10-15 watts you are either going to have to use multiple tubes or move into the real high voltage transmitting triode amps.

[Oh, and back to my original question. What is an SET 45 amp and how much power do they output?]
SET is often taken to stand for single ended triode but should really stand for single ended topology. A 45 SET is good for about 1.5 watts. Single ended simply means one device handles the entire musical waveform. SET's typically use only one directly heated triode like the 45, 2A3, or 300B as an output tube with no global feedback (but they could use multiple tubes or even transistors withor without feedback). They are said to excel at conveying the emotional content of the music.

While I am not a SET guy I do feel there is much to be said for having efficent speakers and low wattage tube amps. At present I run a push pull triode strapped 6V6 amp that is almost 3 watts per channel. I have not compared it to a Cary but I have compared to ARC and VTL monoblocks in the 80+ watt range and all have agreed the little 6V6 amp has more balls. So don't think low wattage equals wimpy sound by any means.

Russ

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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? - Russ57 14:26:35 03/27/06 (0)

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