SET Asylum: REVIEW: Korneff 45SET Amplifier (Tube) by SETdude

Model:	45SET
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1600-1700
Description:	2 watt/channel 45 SET
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by SETdude ( A ) on July 13, 2002 at 14:52:52
IP Address: 12.94.117.58

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This is one excellent piece of audio gear. Jeff removed the silver wire and Teflon caps, installed copper wire and Electraprint Jupiter wax inpregnated PIO caps. He thought it sounded a bit Hi-Fi with the silver and teflon DC blockers. There are 2 easily changed caps. There are no best, only what sounds best to you. I cannot say enough good things about this amp. I am driving some old Pioneer CS31-A 16 ohm alnico speakers at the moment, no idea about efficiency of these, and it sure sounds like a lot more than 2+ watts. This amp has dual Chicago chokes and Electraprint trannies. A separate switch to warm the 45 filaments and a second to power up. I just sounds 'right' top to bottom. Piano is wonderful. Spooky sound, notes seem to hang in the air. Excellent detail and very dynamic. I will use this for small scale and acoustic music. With very efficient horns, this amp would do it all. A real well made piece of gear, excellent fit and finish. Absolutely pleased with this amp. A real music maker!
Tubes: Sylvania ST 45's, Raytheon VT231's, RCA 5R4, really nedds a 5U4G.
I am waitng for Auris 2 speakers to arrive from Holland. PHY-HP KM30 SAG 12" dual concentric 100% time aligned 97 db 16 ohm Alnico drivers in custom cabinets of Hans Kortenbach's design.
This amp and my Welborne Laurel's will one day be 'some dead guys stuff'.
Boz Scaggs "Come on Home" playing and it is as good as it gets. The Duke's
Blues in Orbit is stellar. Brass is unbelievable. Patsy Kline is NOT dead,
she was here today.
If you have the right speakers, this is a winner and Jeff is a real Gem to work with. Hats off to him. Also, it is not very sensitve to tubes. It won't cost a fortune to own and keep fed. In other words, save the Sylvania
metal base 6SN7's for some thing else. I do have 2 Tung Sol 5u4g's coming
though and Emission Labs mesh 45's. I believe the E Labs mesh will be cheaper in the long run as I have been told ST 45's are only good for 1,000-2,000 hours. Time will tell.
Where are the TJ/Full Music 45 perforated plates? Twysted! Brian Cherry!

Product Weakness: None, except finding 45 tubes. Sort of.
Product Strengths: Just makes great music.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Korneff 45
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Cary SLP 94 Valvo E80CC's in buffer
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cary 306/100
Speakers:	196X Pioneer 16 Ohm alnico
Cables/Interconnects:	Luminious Synchestra Signatures
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Soup to Nuts
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 24 x 9
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Marigo Labs
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None, except finding 45 tubes. Sort of.
Product Strengths:	Just makes great music.