MOST tubelike solid state amp


Sorry for another "most" thread.

I am rebuilding a system from scratch and desperately wish I could find a truly tubelike ss amp. I am particularly sensitive to "excessive detail," but had hoped I could get away from some of the challenges of tube gear to take advantage of the many strengths of ss....

My speakers love high current, as will their replacement pair (Avalons- Opus now, Eidolon some day). Front end is digital now (ML390s). I have listened to many of the usual suspects- levinson (336 and 33H), Pass (a couple from the X series, but not the biggest ones), Classe Omega, Plinius... but now find myself contemplating a VTL MB 450 or MB750.

Are there any other SS amps which tube lovers find wonderful too? What about YBA, Goldmund, Spectral, Rowland? I haven't heard these yet, but feel the pull of tubes getting stronger with every fatiguing moment...

Your opinions are much appreciated
jwaugh

Showing 1 response by tireguy

Jwaugh-I have avalon Eclipse and have tried many amps with them. I borrowed a friends accuphase a-50v for a short period of time and it was by far the most tube like amp I have used. JRDG amps sound very good with avalons. I have yet to hear Halcro's with them-though I can't imagine it would be anything less then amazing. I myself use a BAT VK60 and love it and am thinking of upgrading to a VK-75se eventually-and I have plenty of power. You may want to consider a Convergent audio JL-2 tube amp, a truly great tube amp at a remotely affordable price. If you don't think you will like solid state-chances are you are right. BAT VK-150se mono's would work well with your situation, in fact for the moment you could pick up a VK-75se and then when you get Eidolon's get another(VK-75se) and then make them mono's. Most feel that avalon's need high current solid state with gobs of power, I don't agree-and there are a few other members here that run avalon's with tubes and insist it is the only way to go-it boils down to if you are a ss or tube guy.

~Tim