I think you can make a much nicer sounding push-pull amp for a few hundred dollars than a SET amp, so I think entry level systems might be better off running push-pull. The trouble for DIY is that SET is simple to build but requires more expensive components for good sound quality. A good quality push-pull amp can be made with cheaper components, but it's more difficult to build, and maybe that discourages DIY builders.

I guess I've come to the conclusion that if you have the budget, give SET a go. There are some great SET amps in the >$2K range. Less than that, I'm thinking go push-pull.

BTW, I wanted to let you know that Akhilesh has a PhD and is a professor at Tulsa University, so he's a pretty quick study.