Gave up my SET----looking for moderate to higher power replacement options


I recently sold my JAS Array 2.1, which is a SET using 805 and 300B producing 45w.  With NOS RCA 805 and Sophia Princess 300B's, this amp produced the best sound I've ever had.  I used it to drive the satellite section of a pair of DIY/Legacy Focus clones using Eton drivers.  I've ran several different solid state amps on the bass drivers.  The inner detail and palpability of images were fantastic.  Images were life-sized and, frequently, sounded as if the musicians were in the room with me (not much of an exaggeration--honestly!)  And despite the modest power rating, this amp had startling dynamics.  It was an exciting and very engaging listen but.....well, aside from the amp breaking down on a few occasions, the cost of tubes and the extreme heat the amp put out,  the amp did run out of power when I pushed it too hard.  

I've tried several other amps during my time with the JAS, typically as warm weather substitutes, and a few more since I sold it but I really am mostly disappointed.  Presently I have an Audiozone Amp1 running the satellite section and a Jaton AV5140 on the woofers.  I was biamping with the Jaton but wanted a bit more detail and transparency.  The Audiozone is better than the Jaton in this regard but still falls rather short of the standard set by the JAS  and also runs out of power occasionally and sounds just awful when it clips.  I have an Audio Alchemy DPA 1 and had the Wyred4Sound ST-500 when it first came out and neither are what I'm looking for in my main system.  The AA amp is better but still a far cry from the sonics of the SET JAS.  Do any of the Class D amps truly approach SET sonics?    I'm considering the Gamut D200 mk iii as well though these are hard to find.   Are there any Class D amps I should look in to?  I really need to keep it at $3000 or less and probably around $2000.  Please make recommendations based on actual experience, that is only on amps you've actually heard.  Thanks!
lcherepkai
I got a D-Sonic to replace a Mesa Baron while it is under repair (blew a tube, etc.) and during the worst part of Houston summers (which run from about April through January.)  the D-sonic is very nice, lots of detail, virtually unlimited power, clean bass, truly excellent with movies, but in no way does it have the life and magic of tubes with music.  going from SET to D is like apples to oranges, or steak to vegan.     Even so, tube amps are like sports cars (or vinyl) and need considerably more money and attention than SS, in the normal course of events.  Freedom from heat, maintenance and additional expense is something many tube lovers eventually crave, but it’s a vacation, you wouldn’t want to move there for good.
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I’ve had KT88 tube amps before and really liked them. Maybe you might as well?

Don Sachs makes a really nice one:
http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20kt88%20tube%20amp.html

CAD$3,750 which works out to under US$3,000.

I have Don’s linestage. Very high build quality and workmanship. 

02-04-2021 8:07am
@charles1dad As @twoleftears suggests, my bet is on the AGD amplifiers as the most SET sounding class D design (GAN-based). I'd love to hear them.

They certainly want to convince us that they care about SET musical characteristics with the design, and one dealer advertisement states that SET people do like them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PKSlTODkJ0).

Unfortunately more than double the OP's budget.

Please contact us if you love to hear the AGD The Audion, we can arrange something for you and add some direct experience to this discussion.
@agdproduction I’m not in the market for new amplifiers, but I’d happily do a home demo and report about my experience! You can see my current equipment on my systems page...