Quote Originally Posted by RGA View Post
I'm not saying SET wins by default - However I am saying that the best systems I and many others have ever heard are based around SET amps - and that isn't just a fluke.
Fair enough. Clearly there is something special about the sound that appeals to a number of audiophiles.

As I won't be able to afford "the best systems" anytime soon (if ever), if I want to try out a SET amp I have to look at the more affordably priced ones (like what Poultrygeist uses) such as the Decware and Bottlehead.


Quote Originally Posted by RGA View Post
Do I think some SS amps can beat some tubes and SET - sure. But even in the SS realm I think the amp to beat and has been the amp to beat for 25 years at least is the Sugden A21a (at least within $2k of it's list price). It's a SET. Single Ended Topology, no feedback, pure class A.
There are a couple of well regarded alternatives that I would love to compare to the Sugden:

Monarchy SM70Pro (25 Watt Class A as a stereo amp) and just under $1K, 70 Watts and double the price if used as monoblocks. Monrachy SE100 (100 Watt Class A monobolcks) around $2.5K. First Watt (Nelson Pass) has a number of 25 Watt and under class A amps around the $2K mark. Musical Fidelity had a 32 watt Class A integrated - the A1 (2009 model) around $2K as well.