Quote Originally Posted by Poultrygeist View Post
Speakers with an efficiency rating of 92 dbs only need an amp of 2.5 watts to reach a listening level of 96 dbs in a moderately sized room and I hope no one on this forum listens at prolonged levels of 96 dbs.

A single ended triode ( S.E.T.) is the simplest circuit design there is and uses the least number of parts. It is also one of oldest designs dating back to the 1920's. Typically there is just a driver stage coupled to a single output. Triodes do not require negative feedback, something found in most push-pull circuits, solid state or tube. Feedback creates time smear and a 2-D soundstage.

SET's are the easiest way to achieve a liquid sound that becomes holographic with stunning clarity and detail.
The sad part is that your last sentence really does say it all. But it amazes me that people judge it without hearing it. Instead they look at the measurements and see 5% THD and then assume it has to be warm and fuzzy - or they connected some tube preamp to something and it sounded warm and fuzzy so that means all SET amps must be the same.

I don't really blame them since I was a Bryston/PMC/B&W/YBA/Classe/Martin Logan lover when I started out. I read all about SET and how bad it was. Fortunately for me my first audition was pseudo blind. Listening to a big silver box that looked like a giant Krell. The clearest cleanest transients by a country mile that I had ever heard. Nothing the least bit "warm and fuzzy" about it. But it had a transient attack that was startling and could play loud with deep very tight bass lines and pristine crystal clear highs. Turned out to be an 8 watt SET. That's why I was so pleased to read Wes Philips' take on the Ongaku experience way back. Wes is such a Krell/Dynaudio/Wilson/Solid state to the hilt guy and when he FINALLY after all his years reviewing gets around to a SET as he put it "everything else was just noise." I love that because it's basically what happened to me. And it continues to - it doesn't wear off. It's not a parlor trick that lasts for an hour it's years and years. Distortion can't make things clearer. Distortion should do everything but. And the consistent listening experience of great SET amps is ALWAYS "better transients and better decay" - distortion can't do that - a lack of feedback a lack of getting in the way of the initial signal - can.