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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
mglik OP
887 posts
 
Thanks shkong,
I was interested in your preference for the lowly LM 805 when you have the have the exhaled Silbatone. If you can be satisfied with the LM, they must be very, very musical?
mglik OP
887 posts
 
What tubes do you roll in?
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,055 posts
 
@mglik,

I have recently made the transition from 300B SET mono’s to Accuphase E-650 integrated. I must admit it certainly took bit of patience to truly appreciate the wonderful rich ‘house’ sound of Accuphase. The integrated is rated 30W in Class A and has a wonderful warmth, brilliance and a fabulous depth gradation. They have quite a few amps that can possibly fit your budget.

Luxman is also a great, but I believe Accuphase will get you much much closer to 300B musicality.

PM me If you would like to speak with my Accuphase dealer.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
mglik, you and I use our systems in the same way. Although I do have a 500 Wpc Class D amp for my front speakers, I mostly listen using the newly-purchased 3C24 stereo amp built by Paul Birkeland.

This new amp has outclassed every other amp that came before it, including 300 Wpc Aragon, VAC 35.35, and even an SET 845 amp. Somehow, this low-power design has a similar sound to my sweet sounding SET 300 B, yet greater ability to deliver incredible impact when called upon. Best amp I've ever heard driving my Tannoy HPD 315 speakers, custom built, but they were originally made in 1975.

They have never sounded better. The amp can be seen on my Virtual System, if you care to look. Also, Paul is not my friend, but has had an enormous influence in making my system, at this time, how I've always wanted it to sound when I started this journey over forty years ago.

Best of luck finding what you need, regards,
Dan   
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
1,463 posts
 
pair of Psavne Acme 805

https://www.hifi-amplifiers.com/en/psvane-vacuum-tube-amplifiers-c-67/

pair of Pasvne Acme 300B ( if you have decent 300B, then you can use it)

one 6sl7 ( I recommend 6n9s Russian tube made in 50s but you can use RCA 5691 red base)

pair of 6sn7 (1578 Melz from Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-pair-Extremely-rare-1578-6N8S-audiophile-6H8S-6SN7-Metal-base/273874731266?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 )


but Sylvania vt231 or Kenrad vt 231 will also work well.

There are many options for 6sn7
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/shootout-of-nos-6sn7-tubes.932083/page-2
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