Hi all,

I'm a musician who does not speak electronica but I do have golden ears. I'm rather new to the whole SET thing; it's simplicity and purity really interests me.

I currently have a Emotiva solid state system that doesn't move me. It's not a bad system but the sound is too "in yo' face" for me. My favorite amp to this day was an old Dynaco ST-70 that was high maintenance but sang like a bird. It crapped out on me years ago.

I not a DIY type. I have a med-large listening room (poured concrete basement...the "man cave"). I listen at moderate (sometime moderate-high) sound levels. I seek musicality above anything else. I wanna stay with a SET amp.

I listen to vinyl and CD. I have a Emotiva preamp but do I really need it??? Is the sound purer without a preamp on Decware SET amps? How do I get vinyl playback on the Decware SET amps? Do I have to purchase a phono-stage?

I'm looking for a SET amp(s) and speakers that mate like rabbits. Any Decware product suggestions? Price range is <4k. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

When you say SET, you are limiting yourself to the Zen, Select and the Zen Triode Integrated. The TABOO, Mini Torii and Torii are SEP.

The TABOO will need a preamp to bring it to its full potential. You may prefer using one with the Zen products as well.  

If you mean what you say, (limiting yourself to SET) then the Zen Triode Integrated ought to allow you all the volume you need with any of the DECWARE speakers, in particular the ERR's or MG944's. The Zen Phono Stage would serve you well.

"I think what he meant by SET is lower power amps that run efficient speakers".

Yep, that's what I meant by SET.  

The ERR's look interesting but kinda radical. Radical scares me....Any further insights into the ERR's sound.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions thus far.

I use a Mini Tori with MG944 speakers and it fills my every need. I use primarily CD, some vinyl and occasional FM stereo. The unit does not need a preamplifier, in fact I tried my CSP2 with the Mini and it got in the way.

There are so many tube combinations possible with it that you can really explore which sounds best to you. Or you can just run it with 6V6 tubes and it will sound great. The volume is there as well.

One reason I opted for the MG's instead of one of the radials was that they were at time time bargain priced. Now that they are priced near the ERR's you might want to decide which design you would better like. I am not familiar with the radials but many here are. I know that with the MG944's you would not be disappointed. They do not need a subwoofer.