My integrated Decware dual-mono Mini Torii has the OA3 voltage regulator tubes (one per channel) designed so it would reduce noise by filtering it at the cathode jump of the signal through those regulator tubes (same principle). But, it is wired for 6V6's as a Pentode, and maybe for that reason it does not compete with my Inspire KT-88 Triode amp in SQ.

One thing I strongly believe in, as a somewhat experienced observer and user, is that the simple SET amp circuit is more direct and natural and less prone to unpleasant distortions relative to more complex designs. The only real trade-off seems to be heat dissipation and power inefficiency, secondary considerations when one primarily seeks SQ. Lower power levels are negotiable through the right speaker sensitivity choice and the listening room geometry and sizing. I'm sure someone more enlightened could correct me, for example, explaining why the so-called improved dynamic response in a Pentode arrangement beats the old man's Triode amp :), or how could a Pentode sound as good as a Triode, as in the proposed Universal design discussed earlier, assuming the same quality designer/considerations are applied in each case ...

From DH, “radical output transformers”!

Attachment 54668

Well, that would definitely help. Sound quality of some of the best Japanese amps of this kind can be traced to their meticulously designed and assembled silver wiring transformers, a big chunk of their high price. But, what would happen if the same transformers were to be applied in a very simple (purist), Triode SET design? I'm fascinated with this topic, which I know too little about :( The trick is, once you have a decent Pre/Amp setup, signal source fine-tuning yields the most improvements, as now every little tweak is tangibly magnified by amplification. One needs to balance out these two aspects to achieve a very nicely sounding rig within budget constraints.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking that some of the stepped attenuators (from Poland or eastern Europe companies?) came with remotes and are less expensive then I had thought.

Methinks that was tongue in cheek on Dennis' part. Tubes are what he was referring to. :D

Actually, the transformers are a new design... The improvements never stop...:thumbsup:

Hey YB-2, If you have a name for the attenuator manufacturers you mentioned that would be great, I would love to find a nice remote set-up for Inspire preamps. Thanks!!

As long as those improvements don't push the new offerings outside the current market niche, I'm all for it! :yes:

Elna & Khozmo are two that come to mind. Bentaudio offers add-on motorized controls for the attenuators used in Goldpoint passive preamps.

Here is a motorized potentiometer that competes with Alps: https://www.hificollective.co.uk/pot...ntiometer.html

Thanks for the info YB-2, That TKD motorized pot looks sweeeeet!!, I'll use the TKD's sizing specs and do some measuring in a chassis to see whats what, the motor housing on the TKD is not offset like the Alps is, so it will be a little closer to the left hand tube socket, but it should still fit. I will keep you posted. That remote kit looks nice too, and runs off 6.3v, so no seperate power supply needed! I had looked at a BentAudio/Danish Audio ConnecT combo with a Danish Audio ConnecT selector switch awhile back, but I think I had to buy in quantity to get a good price, so I never pulled the trigger.
thanks again for the help, it is much appreciated...Tony