Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sunscreen on May 22, 2021, 05:38:28 AM

Title: New to SET's
Post by: Sunscreen on May 22, 2021, 05:38:28 AM

I've always wanted and SET to round out my amp collection.

With 88db sensitive speakers I don't have an optimal setup for a SET. But on the other hand I only listen to classical music at a level no louder than 50-55db. Rarely do I listen to large orchestral pieces, but I also don't sit and listen to a single guitar all night either.

I would like to consider the 2A3 amp but I am concerned that it wouldn't work out in my setup. Should I just stick to PP tubes? Or go for it?

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 22, 2021, 05:51:52 AM

What exact speakers do you have?  When you say you listen at 50-55dB, how far from the speakers are you taking that measurement? 

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Sunscreen on May 22, 2021, 05:57:09 AM

They are Zaph Audio SR71 88db 

My sitting  position is approximately 8 feet from the speaker. That is where I took that measurement. The room is a 12x12 bedroom with "soft" furnishing, carpet, bed, etc...

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Paul Birkeland on May 22, 2021, 06:09:20 AM

I use some Zaph L18s for high power amp testing. 

So you can definitely use those with our products, and I would not necessarily suggest adding his impedance flattening circuit for tube amps.  The nice thing about those speakers is that they don't have gnarly low dips.  While I think the Kaiju is a better match in terms of power and quality, but numerically the Stereomour should meet your listening requirements as well.

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Jamier on May 22, 2021, 06:16:52 AM

Do you have the impedance flattening circuit? If not, JK designed one for the SR-71. It’s in the article on his website. I built that speaker years ago and I am still impressed with how good it sounds. I would use the Imp. circuit and 8 watts (Kaiju) and you’ll be really happy.

Jamie

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Sunscreen on May 22, 2021, 09:32:20 AM

No, I do not use the impedance flattening circuit in my speakers. However, I do use them with two tubed amps and have no problems. A Sherwood S5000 El84 based amp and a ST70 EL34 based amp.

I would love to try the 300b's but my that is unfortunately way outside my budget.

But I am looking forward to finally trying a Bottlehead 2A3 SET amp. I had the Foreplay years ago and loved it. Why I sold it was one of those stupid audio mysteries.

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Jamier on May 22, 2021, 10:36:59 AM

Your room size should work with that combination. I have used an SII with SR-71s and it does work well in my listening room which is about that size. The 300Bs would be nice, but the SII is a really wonderful amp.

Jamie

Title: Re: New to SET's
Post by: Sunscreen on May 22, 2021, 01:52:13 PM

Thanks for the reply

I guess I have a birthday present coming!