I should also clarify, I absolutely love this amp. Just have part of me asking what if I chose the other one... I guess thats what you get. Best solution: Get both!

I mainly listen to Jazz(Miles, Sonny, Coltrane), Classic Rock(Tull, Springsteen, Morrison), Sinatra.

Considering the flexibility in source, the MT won. Steve voices his amps to sound similar, I do like the footprint of the MT better. It is dual mono blocks which is nice. PreAmp isn't out of the question with the MT either, might add some weight to it. Thanks again for the C&C!

Lon

You make a good point. Impossible to go wrong with either of my two choices here. I keep flip flopping, go to the SE34I or stay with MT. I usually come to the same conclusion... enjoy my MT now. Decide to expand to a SE34I.? in the future. Maybe sell the MT maybe not. Either way it is an epic sounding amp!

That is the truth... I popped in some 5881's into my MT and was blown away by how different it sounded. I think this is me being over analytical and second guessing the absurd amount of research I did. I should focus on building my new speakers and growing from there. That is why this is a hobby after all. Thanks guys!

Lon,

Does the SEP sound have a much different signature than the SET of the integrated?

The Mini-Torii has input & output voltage stage regulation, connected in series for a superb additional AC power noise filtering/conditioning.

The Mini Torii can be tweaked tremendously via tube-rolling, enough to change its signature and sound characteristics to suit listening environment, speakers, etc. to your own needs/tastes and still sounding marvelously.  Tubes are inexpensive unless you look for vintage rarities.

The Mini Torii has plenty of pep and dynamics at 4 Ohms speakers (my case), and can be even better with 8 Ohms speakers.

Although I had similar concerns when I bought mine, time has proven Steve's suggestion (and ultimately my decision) was absolutely spot on.  

For my particular needs, I'm not looking back!

Fireblade wrote on 01/29/13 at 00:46:27:


I'm glad you're happy.

I will say though that though the voltage stage regulation does indeed change the sound of the amp (and makes it easy to change it over and over rolling tubes) I find that the "additional AC power noise filtering/conditioning" isn't that significant imo. Decware amps I've had with and without these stages greatly benefit from filtering and conditioning outside the amp.

One reason I stay away from the Mini Torii is so many tubes to roll. Too many for me and my tastes and needs. Another reason is I've not been impressed with the output tube types used in this amp in other amps.

Anyway, you're going to be happy with your Decware amp!

That's just the thing, Lon: Everything improves with additional expensive power supply aids in audio systems. The point is, in the M-T (and the Torii for that matter), this potential improvement is reduced, at least to a level that still satisfies an enthusiast with a limited budget.

The investment difference can be applied in other, more pressing system needs. Other things being equal, those regulation stages acting as filters are great savings for a constrained budget amateur.