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Parellel Lines

Like yourself I'm using a "less than ideal" speaker with my SET: Moth s45 (using 45 opt) with Silverline Sonatinas (93db/stable 8ohm load). I've been running this combo since February, and with much success. The Moth was my first SET amp but not the first SET I've heard. My amp uses either 2a3 or 45 and even though the 2a3 is more suited to my 93db Sonatinas I've abandoned them for the superior 45, either ST or globe. I have a pair of the Emission Labs solid plate 45's coming. I will say that even with my Sonatinas I experience a compelling degree of "SET Magic" (with the 45) and refuse to go back to PP.

Concerning your "SET issues". My previous amp was a tricked-out triode VAC. Within the first week, and certainly by week two I was struck my the superiority of the SET platform over the PP EL34 VAC. In the nine months since the transition my appreciation has only grown for the Moth. Looking over my notes I'd say most of the stabilization issues with the new amp cleared up within the first month, though I felt the amp kept improving over the course of 3 months. As noted in my "listening impressions" I found that the bass performance probably showed the greatest improvement from day one. And after hearing some horn systems I've stopped making excuses for my so-called "weak bass" or "leanish sound". Allowing the amp to stabilize along with a measure of fine-tuning and tube rolling the bass is deep and the tone rich. As for the new output tubes, I really didn't care for the 2a3 Sovteks initially but after some airtime they were listenable, though I prefer the RCA opt when I do pop in the 2a3s. I'd say give the amp more time to settle in, though I don't know if your speaker/amp pairing will ever truely satisfy.

While I'm very happy with the unlikely coupling of the dynamic Silverlines and 45 SET I've been looking at alternatives. Not so much because I'm unhappy but because of all the positive reports from those using more efficient speakers with SETs. From my limited but growing experience with single-driver or horn-loaded speakers I would say that THAT approach is not for everyone and that you may be happier with a multi-driver (non-horn) speaker. Each speaker type has it's strenghts that certainly play into the various amps they are coupled but also to the preference of the listener. Everyone may not appreciate the immediacy of horns or the precise imaging (with a softer presentation) of dynamics. As for me, I like aspects of both designs and I'm looking for one speaker that may satisfy my needs. Till then I'm "suffering" quite nicely.

MikE





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