Well, to start with, the only solid state amps I have heard that impressed me were the Levinson 33 Reference and Halcro DM58s (wow!!!). I have heard that the very expensive Roland 9TiHCs are excellent as well as the Accuphase. These are all reference solid state amps. There are not many below these that I could stand to listen to for any great legnth of time.
I am a tube guy and always will be. It does not mean that I could not live with any of the products above, it just means that I am willing to put up with more maintenance than someone who owns solid state. The posts above are all quite correct, there is a 3 dimensionality and harmonic texture that is not as prevalent in ss amps. Yet the ss amps have their great benefits as well, they are incredibly quiet and usually have excellent control, and of course, have no tubes to screw with :)
Good luck,
Jonathan
I am a tube guy and always will be. It does not mean that I could not live with any of the products above, it just means that I am willing to put up with more maintenance than someone who owns solid state. The posts above are all quite correct, there is a 3 dimensionality and harmonic texture that is not as prevalent in ss amps. Yet the ss amps have their great benefits as well, they are incredibly quiet and usually have excellent control, and of course, have no tubes to screw with :)
Good luck,
Jonathan