SET Tube Amps?

[Early B.]

Anyone own one or have any listening experience to explain the differences they hear between a push-pull amp (or whatever else there is) and a SET amp. Does SET tube gear generally have better SQ than other types of tube gear?

Thanks.

[RuSsMaN]

SET is cool in a line amp, but no thanks amp-wise.

SET is a GREAT mid-range amp, if you want a good low and high end, go push-pull and don't look back.

Cheers,
Russ

[Early B.]

Thanks, Russ. So now that I've got an int. tube amp that sounds phenomenal, am I done upgrading yet?? Certainly hope so.

Damn.

[organ]

I got a SET linestage from Russ and it's an amazing piece of equipment. Haven't heard a SET amp though. If you look around audio forums you'll see that SET owners have super eff speakers (100+ /w/m) because of their low power output. So I guess they sound fantastic if you have the right set of speakers.

My pushpull amp runs in ultralinear and I've converted it to triode. That's just one step away from SET. The sound really improved. This is push/pull triode. I doubt a SET amp will have the balls to drive my speakers loud.

am I done upgrading yet?? Certainly hope so.

HELL NO!!! Now that you have an int tube amp, you need to start tube rolling. :cool:

Maurice

[Early B.]

HELL NO!!! Now that you have an int tube amp, you need to start tube rolling.
Funny you should mention that. I ordered some Groove Tube 12AX7M's today and I got a pair of Mullard 12AT7's waiting in the dugout. They will replace EH tubes. Not ready to fork over the dough for NOS Telefunken's yet.

[madmax]

In my system the groove tubes sounded incoherent. At least that is the word I can think of. A lot of smeared images and highs were more glaring than I'm used to. They were used ones though.
madmax

[Early B.]

In my system the groove tubes sounded incoherent.
Since we have a similar Jolida int. amp model, what preamp tubes have you found to be the best?

[madmax]

I was using telefunken and the newer CV series mullards for the past few years but recently got hooked on the full sounding EH tubes. I got them for about $5 a piece from some guy on ebay who removed them from some never used equipment. (so he said). I put them in just to laugh at them but they are really nice and full sounding. Keep in mind tubes are all about the whole stream of equipment you are using. What sounds great in one setup can sound totally crappy in another.
madmax

[organ]

Early,
Cool. I've heard great things about the 12AX7M from the asylum. From China and is suppose to be a copy of Mullard's 12AX7.

No need to start searching and putting down big $ for Tele's just yet. Try out the Ei 12AX7 which is suppose to be a copy of Tele 'smooth plate'. Mike (BlueMDPicker) said it sounds identical to his Telefunken.

Madmax,
Were you using the 12AX7EH? I'm dying to start tube rolling with current production tubes on the GTA (6922/6DJ8). My fav so far is the GE 6DJ8 where the inside of the bottle is sprayed with some black chemicals and the Mullard 6DJ8. Want to try the Ei, JJ and EH.

Maurice

[madmax]

Try the Bugle Boys! You may never want to change after that. :)
madmax

[organ]

Gonna start looking for some. Thanks MM.

Maurice