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Single Ended Triodes (SETs), the ultimate tube lovers dream.

RE: Cary CAD 300 SE Signature vs CAD805 AE

Mike, hi. What is sensitivity of your speakers - 1W/1meter? If it is in the 90's I would not go with SE 300B. You'll need more power. 15 Watt rating on a SE 300B is inflating the numbers. I gather the V12R is something of a powerhouse. The 805 would probably give you enough power given your current speakers. The true beauty of SET with low mu triodes is not found in power ratings but in sound quality. If your speakers are low sensitivity they run counter to this. Find someone near you or a shop where SET operates with high sensitivity speakers to get a sample of the audio magic SET can deliver. Insensitive speakers will drown low mu SET advantages. I have owned CAD-805B and still own a pair of CAD-300SE Signatures with silver wound output transformers - both primary and secondary. I traded my 805 for the 300SE and was not disappointed in sonic improvement. The 300SE Sigs are my only commercial SETs. All my other home brew amps ( SET 300B, SET 50, SET 45, parallel 300B SET, SET 2A3 ) beat the 300SE Sigs before I revised them. They still lag in performance against the home brews but I'm not done with them. That should tell you something. I would audition the DeHaviland SETs - 845 and GM70 before laying down the long green. Happy listening.


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