SET Amp

[Sonnie Parker]

Looking for an inexpensive SET amplifier for a pair of Tekton SET speakers that were designed and optimized for ‘single-ended triode’ amps. I have had these speakers for several years now. We were going to review them at one time, but never did get the SET amp to use on them. We tried another amp, but they if I recall... they were rather harsh. Anyway... Eric said we needed the SET amp and we just never came up with one. I boxed the speakers back up and between Wayne and myself we contacted Eric on 4-5 occasions about sending labels to have the speakers picked up, but he never has sent them and I still have the speakers.

I would really like to give them a shot with a SET amp, but I don't want to spend a lot... and I know absolutely nothing about SET amps... other than they are extremely low wattage tube amps. I looked on US Audio Mart and Audiogon, but again, I don't really know what I'm looking for and prefer to keep the price as low as possible, as I likely won't keep the amp or the speakers.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Regards,
Sonnie

 

[Sonnie Parker]

?... at only 299.99 and Free Returns... ?

Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended

Amazon.com: Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp Handcrafted: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp Handcrafted: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

 

[tesseract]

@Sonnie , I'll ask around. Is it the Tekton Perfect SET model?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

@Sonnie , I'll ask around. Is it the Tekton Perfect SET model?

I'm pretty sure that's what they are... boxed up in the storage shed for several years now. Wayne may remember what they are, as he dealt with Eric (IIRC) on getting them here.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

https://www.decware.com/newsite/SE84CKC.html

 

[tesseract]

Wow, I wanna buy one of those! Always wanted an SET to play with and that one is intriguing.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

If you want Triode output tubes https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...-vacuum-tube-hi-end-tube-integrated-amplifier
Not sure if 2 watts will cut it for Sonnie, unless speaker is a real > 100db/w

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I'm looking for something inexpensive for testing only... don't want to keep it.

I think the one I linked to would be our best bet, unless someone wants to lend us one.

 

[ddude003]

When it comes to tube amps, as well as other amps, I am not sure what inexpensive is... Have a look at Atma-Sphere PreAmps and Amps for instance... I am sure there are others that are out there on price... So, if you can find something that comes in at less than $1,000.00 that might be considered cheap... And then again, what is the point of testing a cheap amp???

 

[Sonnie Parker]

299.99 cheap...

Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Amp...400ae&pd_rd_wg=IltFL&pd_rd_i=B073ZXZ3Z5&psc=1

 

[AJ Soundfield]

I would really like to give them a shot with a SET amp

The "T" stands for "Triode", like my 2 examples, the latter probably being the most appropriate given they are in the output stages.
What you are going to try (linked Nobsound), is a "SE" (single ended) amp.
Most likely very little feedback, so you'll get the "SE" frequency response/impedance EQing..aka "magic". What you won't get is the specific distortions profiles, etc. of the Triode. YMMV.

cheers

 

[Sonnie Parker]

The "T" stands for "Triode", like my 2 examples, the latter probably being the most appropriate given they are in the output stages.
What you are going to try (linked Nobsound), is a "SE" (single ended) amp.
Most likely very little feedback, so you'll get the "SE" frequency response/impedance EQing..aka "magic". What you won't get is the specific distortions profiles, etc. of the Triode. YMMV.

cheers

Perhaps these owners don't know what they are talking about in reference to the Nobsound...

Is there a difference?

 

[AJ Soundfield]

Perhaps these owners don't know what they are talking about

Is there a difference?

A lot of people in audio have no idea what they're talking about. Don't trust me either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6P1P
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2002-12/1041253996.Eg.r.html
In the grand scheme of things, its $300 and should get you the steak sauce on everything, including ice cream, type sound.
The intent of Zu is presumably an amp with little power, zero control, EQ via impedance (so possibly more bass/"warmth"), soft clipping and healthy doses of distortion that some may find pleasing. On everything.
Party on Garth.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

Btw I have on of these buried somewhere, for such testing purposes https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Btw I have on of these buried somewhere, for such testing purposes https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54

Well unbury it and ship it to me... I'll give you my FedEx account number for the shipping. Hey... and might even ship it back to you, even if you don't use it.

 

[witwald]

Tekton SET speakers that were designed and optimized for ‘single-ended triode’ amps.

How are loudspeakers "designed and optimized" for ‘single-ended triode’ amps? Do they sacrifice any semblance of frequency response linearity for high efficiency? If so, what is the attraction of having a transducer whose response is nonlinear? Isn't that just distortion?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

How are loudspeakers "designed and optimized" for ‘single-ended triode’ amps? Do they sacrifice any semblance of frequency response linearity for high efficiency? If so, what is the attraction of having a transducer whose response is nonlinear? Isn't that just distortion?

I'm not at all familiar with SET amps or the speakers, other than we tried to listen to them with a regular amp and we didn't really care for the speaker. After expressing this to the owner, he asked what amp were we using and then advised us they are designed to be used with a SET amp, and assumed we understood this when asking for a pair for review. We simply contacted him and asked for a pair of speakers to review and he said he'd send us these. We really did not investigate what he was sending... but apparently they are indeed designed for SET amps.

The Perfect SET is an exciting new product for Tekon Design. For starters… this is a loudspeaker that simply had to be created. Flea sized SET (single-ended triode) amplification is unique to audio and requires an idealized loudspeaker to obtain quality results. The Tekton Design ‘Perfect SET’ possess the sensitivity required, the exact bass weighting, and the necessary damping for the single-ended triode. The Tekton Design Perfect SET delivers the sharp clean bass, rich fidelity, and accuracy that escapes the decades-old, obsolete classic full-range/high-efficiency horn loudspeaker.

• Made under U.S. Patent 9247339
• The Perfect SET – designed and optimized for ‘single-ended triode’
• Proprietary controlled directivity – acoustically superior proprietary polygon-oriented, triple-ring radiator high frequency array. This array disperses a precisely focused acoustical power pattern of that of a horn or waveguide without the audible ringing influence of horn flare walls constraining the soundwave for acoustically superior mid-range high frequency performance
• 12″ Ulfberht Transducer
• 96dB 2.83V@1m sensitivity
• 8 Ohm impedance – for optimum ‘single-ended triode’ performance
• Linear 30Hz-30kHz frequency response
• Minimum input requirement: 1 Watt RMS
• 300 Watts maximum power handling
• Dimensions: 41.5″ H x 14.0″ W x 13.0″ D
• Weight 70 lbs.
• Manufactured in the USA