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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
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I third conrad johnson
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
A vote for Balanced Audio Technology, they make wonderful tube stuff, and the VK500 solid state amp is quite warm and lush as well.
reubent
6,936 posts
 
If you are in San Francisco, I would recommend contacting CC Poon at Monarchy (in South SF). He builds some very nice sounding mono-block amps. I have heard on several occassions that the Monarchy amps sound like tube amps.

I have the least expensive Monarchy SM-70s and I think they sound great! The SM-100 Deluxe or SM-160 are suppose to be very good and they are inexpensive and local for you.

Enjoy,

TIC
karls
332 posts
 
As said by many posts above, try the SS amps made by the best tube people: ARC, BAT, CJ, and Lamm. They are all excellent. Also look into Pass Aleph and X series, Ayre, and Rowland, all excellent as well. Forget about Levinson, it's just not going to cut it.
jmr
44 posts
 
Do yourself a favor, do'nt miss trying the Lamm M1.1 hybrid monoblocks, will give you the best of both worlds.
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