Oldfogey wrote:Starting with the 18wpc Kondo, I discovered an immediacy, an emotional pull, and a certain rawness that I could not live without. Who'd have thought? From 18 to 1.5 wpc. I'm a happy camper.
there's something in the simplicity of a SET system that gives it the magic which a PP or SS amp has been trying to ape all along with more parts, more power at the expense of clarity of expression. it's the same simplicity that attracted me to try out and own various set amps - 2A3, 300B, 45, 10 and variations.
with the right speakers and front-end, they are indeed very revealing and involving.
having said that, that is not to say ss and pp amps can't provide a similar level of involvement and emotional connect. i have heard many systems that are non-SET that have shamed other SET systems, because
they have been matched and tuned properly.
am glad you found your nirvana at 1.5w
oh btw, is that magic using digital or analog? just teasing
i guess again whether analog or digital, SET or non-SET, we all can find our own musical heaven.
congrats and cheers!