SET Asylum

Posted by big-eyed beans from venus (D) on February 03, 2004 at 20:20:34

In Reply to: Re: Brian... posted by Todd Krieger on February 03, 2004 at 15:38:29:

Yes, those Western Electric 717A "mushroom" tubes are pretty unique, and they certainly contribute to the visual appeal of the amp. Mr. Yamamoto seems to have fallen in love with the 717A as a driver tube, and I'm betting that it will show up again in some of his upcoming SET creations.

And yes, the transformers are custom-made for this amp.

So, what's the "sonic flavor" of the A-08? Well, some SET amps seem to be all about "sweetness and light" - they sound very fast and airy, but the presentation lacks weight. Other SET amps give you romance in Technicolor - the sound is vivid and inviting, but ultimately a bit too warm and fuzzy. To my ears, the A-08 combines the positive attributes of both of these approaches. The presentation is spacious and delicate, but with a very rich tonality. And the sound is quite even across the entire frequency range, with exceptional bass and treble extension.