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Is there a Solid State amp that can satisfy a SET guy?

Have been a SET guy for so long I have forgotten what a good SS amp even sounds like.
Just bought a pair of $33k speakers that will replace my current $16k speakers. Both are from the same designer and both are 92db and a flat 8 ohms. The new ones arrive in 4 days!
My 300B based amps well drive my current speakers even though I do use the system nightly as a 2 channel home theater. Especially considering the HT usage, I think I may enjoy a SS amp with many times the horsepower. The speaker designer suggests using a Leema Hydra II. I have written to Leema telling them of my 300B preference and they assure me that their amp does not have the destructive harmonics that make a SS amp bright. There must be other SS amps that can satisfy?
mglik

Showing 14 responses by david_ten

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@mglik  I can think of two. What is your budget for the Solid State amp?
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
If it more then 8 wpc it is not a true SET

@audioman58 Can you expand on your use of "TRUE SET" from the post above? Thanks.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@audioman58   Thanks. I think I'm clearer now on your 'definition' based on circuit purity / simplicity. In other words, you would not consider, say a 211 or 845 a "pure SET," correct?
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
[interesting thread] as I also am looking for poweramp for high efficient L.S. I do however also need balanced circuit and monoblocks.  Have any of you experience with Grandionote: Demone.

@thastum   I have the Grandinote Genesi Preamp. It is terrific. I expect the Demone monoblocks are as well. Max is wonderful to deal with. Solid state and balanced, that gets the music right.

Prana has a listing and I'd be all over it, if not for the fact that my speakers need a low, low damping factor.

+1 to @rixthetrick 's post.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@almarg Thanks!

Can I therefore surmise that the 211 / 845 amps are more accurate and more honestly representing the recording, than say a 300B?

Thank you.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Thank you, Al. 
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
- Don’t go for single tube 211, 845 SETs, they sound slow and boring.
- Pani’s recommendations are dead-on and mimic my experiences exactly.
- I have been turned off by owning what should have been a really good sounding amp, the Viva Solista 845 based SET. Yes, it was boring compared to my 300B SET.
- I had the same experience with a De Havilland 845. It was a bore


@pani @eaglejo @mglik @roxy54

What do you attribute the above to? Would like to learn what might be going on with respect the amps you found behaving this way and (perhaps) speaker pairing, etc. synergy? Thanks.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@almarg Thank you very much, Al. The posts caught my attention as I am in the middle of choosing a 211 or 845 amp. You’ve allayed the concerns the posts raised.

@atmasphere Can you comment as well? Thanks.

I’m open to hearing from all four members from my initial post, on the topic, should you have additional and/or other perspectives to share.

Thanks in advance.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@almarg  Al, Yes indeed! Those price differentials!!! : )

I'm also curious about the comments on Parallel builds of the 211 /845 being superior to single tube 211/845 based amplification?




david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@roberjerman Thank you.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@atmasphere Ralph, thanks for your response to and explanation of my question. For example, one ’higher power output single tube’ amp has Bandwidth listed as 10Hz through 60kHz. Based on what you shared earlier, how much of an impact would you expect minimal phase shift ’issues’ to have on overall sound quality? I did make note of your recommended "best range being 2Hz through 80kHz."

I realize all amps will have trade offs based on design and choices made with respect their build.

Those who disagree with Ralph... are you saying the above is not something I should be concerned about with respect higher output single tube SET amps?

Thank you.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@atmasphere  Thank you for the insight. I will look into it.

This has been educational and helpful. Much appreciated. 
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@rh67  Thanks for your advice. I've reached out via PM.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
False.

Anything anybody does with tubes is simply slow and very colored.




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