Stone, that is quite the interesting outcome. So, you prefer the Select over the Torii? SET magic, hm?

Hi Lon, yes, the SET Magic trumps the power. I have found my Muse in two distinct systems and it is ironic to me.

Reference System:
Sony as Transport>Illuminati D-60>Audio Alchemy DTI-Pro>Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference i2s>Audio Alchemy DDE 3.0 w/remote wand>Kimber Select 1030>Decware Zen Select Integrated Amp>Kimber Select 3033> Polk SDA 1 -or- Polk LS90/ 2 ch Stereo
(Adcom AC Enhancer, XLO Pro Power Cord to Zen Select & Herbie's Halo's on SV83 output tubes)  //  I enjoy the orignal SV83 the most/and have a good stock of them.
I sit/ears 55 inches away from the Polk SDA 1 in near field with no toe in. I sit/ears 60 inches away, when using the LS90 speakers with slight toe in. System is configured on concrete carpeted floor.

I enjoyed my time with the Torii. However, as you mentioned, the Magic of the Select with these conventional Speakers at 68 to 82db SPL is just bliss. Not every conventional speaker can be used as you know. I know you had success with your floor standing Bose Speakers for quite some time. I have enjoyed that same synergy with my Polk LS 90's and now with the SDA 1's. Because of the success with the LS90's and now the SDA 1's, I never wanted to change that magic with more efficient speakers. Failure's with conventional speakers have been: Paradigm v4 Monitor 7, Parker Crusader, Polk Monitor 12 Series II, Polk RTiA1, Magnapan 1.1's & Polk S Series..... . None of these at my wheel house listening level, SPL mentioned, have had the magic. So, these two pair I have.....I can't explain....other than a simpler crossover. All of these Speakers do have 90db @ 1watt/1meter in common too (except the Magnepans). I brought/bought the Polk SDA 1's on a whim and could not believe they worked. I use them in 2 ch stereo only....no SDA function needed or wanted with using the Select.

Now my 2nd Muse/2nd System takes that turn to the grandiose. This system, I know can't do what the Select system can do in Magic. However, audio is compromises and even though I only listen to 1 out of four discs (Real Jazz & Contemporary Jazz)....I need that one out of four discs on this system:
Denon DCM290 Transport>Stereovox XV2 Digital Cable>DacMagic>Kimber Silver Streak Interconnect >Rotel RA-1062>Kimber 8TC Speaker Cable>Polk SDA SRS 1.2/use SDA always>Kimber PK10 Palladian Power Cord to Rotel

I am going to use the Rotel as a preamp with Kimber Hero Interconnect to:  http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/332077
and review: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/wyred4sound.htm

Eventually, I will add a Wyred for Sound DAC 2, to drive the ST 500 directly. I do enjoy driving the Select directly with my AA Dac 3.0.

Anyway, these are my two muse's. The Polk SDA SRS 1.2's driven at 375 watts per channel in to 6ohm load of the 1.2's can do the grandiose (currently running the Rotel Integrated). However, this 2nd System can't do what the Decware Zen Select (SE84CS) Reference System can do with the lit from within SET Magic. I have also A-B-A'd other cables to beat my Kimber Select 1030 and Kimber Select 3033 with the Select and the Kimber's will never leave the system.

Cheers, Merry Christmas.......Stone

Yes Lon, the waiting time for a 3 is still long. I should be able to make someone happy next week I hope. I should have it on the gon' by Tuesday or Wednesday.

I would keep it if it could drive my grossly current hogging Polk SDA SRS 1.2's. But make no mistake, any newbe stumbling in to this thread..... . It will drive anything else pretty much not crazy power hungry with more musicality than Solid State and with weight.

Merry Christmas!  Stone of Tone

Good move Tone. These ARE hard to turn your back on!

The soundstage has just opened up and bloomed and the 800 pound gorilla that was sitting on it was told to get to F out and let the music commence with authority! Man I love music!

Stone

Yes, the speed and no grain, providing that musical rightness where you don't want to leave your chair or the room. I am using the tubes that came with for now: JJ 6CA7, 0A3's, 6N1P-EV, 5U4G & the Raytheon little regulator (I like to call it). You using the same ones right now?

Fidelity is everything. My other system is an SPL pissing match system that I need to partake in from time to time (well not way loud...I keep track/under control with my SPL meter). However, it does not match the fidelity of the Torii 3 and certainly not my SE84CS (Zen Select).

I love the Treble and Bass pots too.....without obsessing on them.  Enjoy....Stone

Happy New Year Morgan. I would have National's on the way right now but, Tube Depot is out of stock. Lon suggested a cryoed 6N1P too that I book marked.
Thanks for the input and I can't believe I was going to sell this Amp. Any other Rectifier suggestions? I should do a search for what others are using as well. The Torii is my Porche and I'm driving it with bald tires. I need to put some Pirelli's on it to start w/Rectifiers.  -Stone

Stone recanted thus:

Quote:


So true. When my Toriis started opening up, it felt like dawn breaking through cathedral windows. Glad you're keeping the Torii.

Good question on the tube break in.   I just turn the Torii on and leave it on for a few days and then turn it off a few hours and repeat!  I'm up to a few hundred hours now in a few weeks and she is starting to open up a bit:).
 

As for the tube comparisons......very hard indeed for me!   Especially since they are hot and you can't change them out quickly!

My tube comparisons go like this.....play my favorite songs, see what I like, listen to that tube combo a few days, then make a switch and over time see what I appreciate the most.  That's not very scientific, but it points me in the direction of what I like the best  :)