"Warm Sounding" Solid State Amplifiers

i see! it was actually aimed at you inadvertently.... ;-) LOL!

Old Audio Research SS amps {from 1989 to 1993} are warm sounding. So is GAS and Sumo.

All Pass Labs "Class A" and Ampzilla 2000 power amps are warm sounding IMO.

Bedini BA-801 is the most tube-like solid state amplifier that I have ever heard.

Years ago, I picked up a mint Dyna 120 stereo amp at a garage sale really cheap, like for a couple of bucks. I sent it in to Frank Van Alstine for him to install his circuits. The amp that was returned was a real killer of a solid state amp. I found that if I left it on constantly, it sounded pretty amazing. It was paired with a modified Dyna Pas-3 preamp. I listen to a lot of small jazz groups ... and the bass lines had that warm realism.

Here in Southern California, there used to be a DJ on one of the local FM stations that used to have a "Bedini" night. He'd bring his Bedini 25/25 into the studio, along with his TT and other Bedini gear. That was some of the best FM I've ever heard. Maybe a used Bedini amp would cut it for you ... if you can find one.

I also used a pair of Atmosphere M60's for a couple of years on loan from a friend. Can't say they sounded "warm," but on certain nights when the power coming into the house was clean, like late at night with the lights off, those amps sounded REAL. It was like the entire back wall fell down and the stage went back forever.

On the issue of "warmth" in itself ... When I go to a live concert, I do as Ralph suggests and close my eyes and imagine that I'm listening to my home system. So far, no matter how good my system gets, or how much money I spend on it, I have yet to hear my system, or ANY system for that matter, come close to actual live music.

I've heard really expensive systems costing in excess of 300K, but they still sound like reproduced music compared with live. Oh, they may do a great job, but it still ain't live.

What I hear with live music is sound that is really relaxed. It may get loud, but even when it does, there is no "cringe" factor. I think most audiophiles would be put off with this kind of "relaxation" in their home systems.

For that matter, most of the live music we hear is actually amplified music pumped through the venue's sound system. A lot of those are terrible to boot.

Try sitting down in front of a good unamplified string quartet, or a solo classical guitar, or a front row seat right in front of the string section of a full classical orchestra sometime. Its like a breath of fresh air.

I definitely think great tube gear gets us closer to the ideal of "live" more than SS gear, but even so ... it still isn't live.

Just my two cents ...

Another thumbs up for Bedini amps having a very tube-like sonic signature, but in my case, it is my Bedini 25/25. I have not had the pleasure of hearing a Bedini BA-801.