Solid state amp that tube fan can be happy with?

What’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?  Does it need to to be balanced?

Look at Class A Accuphase amps

Conrad Johnson MF 2550 is not made anymore, but I think it is a good candidate.

@pryso There are class D amps now that are smooth and detailed through the mids and highs like an excellent tube amplifier- so much that its hard to go back to tubes.

Luxman is a great option here.  Ayre too, but needs auditioning.

It will never sound exactly like tubes. SS can in fact sound sweet, and really really good, but will never be quite as full and warm as good tubes (and EL34 are pretty sweet). And when SS goes TOO warm (maybe in an ill-fated attempt to match tubes) it just goes flat and becomes a mess. 

But, "a bit sweet" might be enough, depending on your ears and the rest of the system. 

I have a tube line stage feeding a Mark Levinson 27.5 (100 watts, 50K input impedance) and it sounds sublime. I imagine the pre keeps the edge off. Best of both worlds.

I agree with @mulveling that even great SS amps won’t emulate tubes, nor should they. And as he said, when they try to, the result is usually not good.

That said, I’m a long time fan of tube amps. But I have found happiness with an SMc modified McCormack DNA 0.5. I would highly recommend looking for a used DNA amp to send to CA for the latest mods they offer. It’s one of the few SS amps I’ve owned that don’t send me running back to tubes.

One significant factor of tube amps is a low damping factor which interacts with speakers to change their frequency response(which includes fuller, softer  mid bass). Almost all solid state amps have a high damping factor due to usually higher feedback than tube amps which doesn't interact. One solid state company with a great rep is Pass Labs which have a low damping factor like tube amps and will interact with speakers the same way as tube amps.

I travelled a similar path.   For my ears, I found the NAD class D amps to be extremely quick and detailed, but lacked the tube warmth I love.   Krell was the answer for me.   I love the Krell sound as it is like tubes yet has more authoritative and controlled bass.   YMMV.

Ayre

I’ll say Hegel, close enough for me.  My tube amp is an ARC VSi 75.

Coda 5.5 Pure class A amplifier 50 wpc 8 ohms , 100 into 4 ohms 

and priced right $6500 retail call Mike audio archon for a fair deal

Not likely. Man up and accept whatever is bothering you about tube amps.  I'd replace your EL34 amps with a nice DHT amp.  Aric, Apollo, Decware, etc.

The only SS amplifier that I would even consider is the FM Acoustic.  Nothing comes close.

 I don't own one, but I have read several reviews that imply the Modwright 150 has the warmth of tubes with the punch and control of SS.

There are a few Hybrid amps out there that have tube inputs and Mosfet outputs.  I have a pair of PS Audio BHK300’s that use 6922’s in the input section.  And there are a lot of 6922 and 7308 tube you can roll and get the sound you like.

All the best.

I agree with @atmasphere here. Get a nice pair of class D GANFET monoblocks like from orchard audio with your tube pre. It works great in my personal experience.

I agree with curiousjim that the PS Audio BHK300 is a hard amp to beat for what you are asking for. 

Gold Note PA-10 x 2 run in mono. Ganfets. 

Pass, Coda, Krell would be the top 3 SS amps I’d look at.  Accuphase and Luxman would be in the conversation as well but I think they lean a bit more toward outstanding SS amps with a dash of tube sound, qualities while the other top 3 blend the best of SS with the best of Tubeiness (tube magic).  Pass as another poster mentioned designs their amps specifically to behave much like a tube amp, they are the OG of SS amps that bring that tube magic.  Coda is way under the radar and was founded by Pass engineers, their Class A amps are a phenomenal choice, their # 16 amp, end game for what I think you are looking for.  Krell, their XD line sounds more tube like that any SS amp I’ve heard but still has the grunt to get down low and controls speakers unlike any other Amp I’ve tried.  I compared Krell XD amps and they’re integrated to other SS and Tube amps.  There was something special to my ears about the Krell XD amps, sweetness to the sound but while maintaining all the positives of SS but without the negatives.  I’ve never experienced some of the new class D designs but have read some of those can capture what I think Pass, Coda or Krell do.  If you picked Pass, Coda class A amps or Krell XD line of amps, think you’ll be very happy.  

I don't think I could totally remove my tube el34 amp from my system, but the Accuphase preamp and Class A amp that alternates in, gives me a pleasant option. It's a tough one, different, with excellent attributes, but both good in their own way.

Forgot to mention PS Audio, as another poster mentioned, their BHK line does a great job of blending tunes into both the BHK Pre Amp and their stereo and mono BHK amps.  I have the BHK Pre and their stereo design blends allowing the tube stage to bring a tube flavor but isolating some of the negatives tubes can bring to the table with a hybrid design.  Amazing how much fun tube rolling is in the BHK pre, you can hear the differences, influence of the different tubes.  Haven’t heard the BHK Amps but if they are built and designed like the Pre, sure they are winners and would have that blend of Tube qualities along with the foundation SS amps provide.  Good Luck! 

I've only owned one tube amplifier (PrimaLuna) so my tube amplifier experience is very limited.  I have generally settled though on SS amps I thought offered some of the tube like qualities I enjoyed.

The amps I've owned that I associate closest to my limited tube listening are:  Classe CA300, Modwright KWA 100SE, Pass XA30.8, AtmaSphere Class D Monos, and Coda S5.5.   Personally I think the AtmaSphere monos are the closest to the tube sound I remember (not counting the super black background and very tight bass they also provide... :)).

As a semi normal consumer (paranormal?) I can’t carefully listen to boatloads of amps but the two amps I rotate in my gear heap are a 12 or so watt per side Dennis Had tube "SEP," and a Pass XA-25 that actually sound somewhat similar. The Pass amp may not be powerful enough for your tastes but they make plenty of Class A amps that are. Try Uncle Ralph’s (Atmasphere) Class D amps and see if you agree with his utterly unbiased opinion.

Thanks all.  A few more things @soix ask about I should have included.  For budget I'l like to keep  <$5K, $6K would be tops.  Main reason for new would be trial audition period.  Buying used but new enough not to need parts replacement can save $ but I don't want go through reselling if I'm not satisfied.  And my line stage has RCA outputs so prefer not to need adaptors for balanced amp inputs.

I'll repeat, I have reasons for a stereo amp so no mono blocs considered.  Also I don't expect SS to sound just like tubes, but I'd like a bit of sonic warmth and fullness.

I expected some suggestions for Class D but I've never heard one and no local auditions available.  So that would definitely need to be new with return option.

Janszen recommends the 100-250 power range at 8 ohms.  I've found less than that reduces dynamics and aliveness.

Purchased mono Merrill Audio Veritas amps earlier this year. They outperform my SMc Audio 225 amp and my Quicksilver V4 monos.

This Van Alstine amp is worth a look, and they offer a 30-day trial period.  Best of luck. 
 

https://avahifi.com/products/dva-set-500-stereo-power-amplifier

Agree with mm1tt77 by enlarge. Pass, Coda. situation at Krell seems unclear right now for service, etc. Would add Ayre to the list to consider.

i have a Pass XA-25 and very happy with it. Would consider to add a tube phono but definitely not replace it with a tube amp as it provides similar sound but without some of the negative aspects.

good luck in your search

I rarely see YBA mentioned here but their amps are designed with tube sound in mind.  I used to work at a stereo shop that carried their products and it was always an easy sell for customers seeking a tube-like sound without the hassle. As a long-time tube owner I personally found them enjoyable and have often been tempted to go that way again. ;-)  They're pretty affordable, too.

Van Alstine DVA SET 500

I would definitely recommend giving CODA a good look. They have several SS amps in that price range that would excel at the characteristics you are looking for. They run cool (for Class A) and CODA amps are fast and articulate, while retaining a smooth, warm sound not typically associated with SS amps. Pass is also a good choice, but CODA is every bit as good, and typically less expensive. CODA doesn't advertise and they are not as well-known as some competitors, but they are extremely well made and offer a great value. 

The CODA 5.5, or maybe a used CODA 8 would be good choices. The CODA 16 is a great amp but would be beyond your stated budget.  

Good Luck

I auditioned the Van Alstine SET 500. Thought it was a very good sounding amp, but while it was smooth and dynamic, I didn’t think it really sounded like a tube amp .

No conversation about the new EVO 300 Hybrid power amp from PrimaLuna. This should be looked at. 

Due to the current state of tube availability and prices  I switched to SS.

I ended up with a Coda No. 8 stereo amp. 50K unbalanced input imp. and 10k balanced input imp..Just a terrific amplifier and it can drive a number of different speakers. Not sure its just like a tube amp because there are so many different tube types and design iterations. But I am happy with the choice.  And I thought that couldn't happen.

I replaced my VAC Renaissance 70/70 with a Coda s5.5 and I am very happy. @mulveling  nailed it as far as that tube harmonic distortion that is pleasing to the ears. But I have adjusted and I am very happy with the results. 

I used a McIntosh MC2250 for years when driving my less efficient JSE Infinite Slope Model IIs and listening at higher volumes than I do these days.

Rated conservatively at 250 wpc, It tested accurate to 305 wpc by McIntosh Lab technician (anybody remember Lab Days at Harvey's, NYC?). They advised me to leave it at full volume and use the preamp volume which I did. It was simply invisible, totally silent brute, did no harm. I have a 3rd meniscus tear in my knee thanks to moving the 80 lb beast from a low shelf while poorly positioned. 

Anything McIntosh, if you don't go for the silly distracting meters, you save a lot of money. 

I moved from tube amps to a Modwright KWA 150 Signature Edition. It doesn’t get hot and sounds better than any tube amp that I’ve owned. I still use my Audio Research Reference 5SE preamplifier, which is a tube preamp. You can find great deals used. 

Enjoyed listening to a Bedini 25/25  Also a BEL 1001 going through a Melos 

SHA 1. Older like me thanks

Enjoyed listening to a Bedini 25/25  Also a BEL 1001 going through a Melos 

SHA 1. Older like me thanks

Coda, without hesitation, should be at the top of your list of considerations.

And my line stage has RCA outputs so prefer not to need adaptors for balanced amp inputs.

I'll repeat, I have reasons for a stereo amp so no mono blocs considered.  Also I don't expect SS to sound just like tubes, but I'd like a bit of sonic warmth and fullness.

I expected some suggestions for Class D but I've never heard one and no local auditions available.  So that would definitely need to be new with return option.

@pryso FWIW Dept: Class D amps don't run warm so you can stack them if you like so the mono or stereo thing isn't so important. Also FWIW our class D has both balanced and single-ended inputs and we allow for a return. The amps seem to take a while to break in; about 450 hours so we allow for a long audition time with them than we do with our tube stuff.

You have gotten some great suggestions if you are really looking to make the switch to solid state.   I was in the same situation a few years ago and tried Boulder and Pass Labs.  Being a tube lover for over 40+ years I went back to a all tube system and I am enjoying the music more than ever.

As mentioned somewhere above if you love tube sound only tubes will satisfy. 

I was also gonna recommend the Atmasphere GaN amp but didn’t as they are monoblocks, but they don’t take up more space than your average stereo amp, and as Ralph mentioned above they can even be stacked.  They offer a generous trial period, and you have to think there’s something to a distinguished tube amp designer being very happy with his GaN amp.  I’d be strongly inclined to at least try them if I was you. 

Were I looking today my first stop would be Coda. That said, I’m a tube guy (with 5 tube amps) who lives happily with two SS class A amps for variety: a Plinius Sa-103 modded by Ralph Abramo at Plinius Repairs, and a 25 yr old Reference Line Silver Sig modded slightly by Roger Modjeski, may he RIP.

Hegel did it for me. I have the H200 and it got me off the SS vs Tube merrygoround. 

Many years ago, I worked almost exclusively with a great dealer in Denver who let me audition many different amps.  My favorite (at my price point) was Electrocompaniet.  It sounded much sweeter than some of the other SS amps that had me reaching for the mute button by the end of a CD.

Many years ago, I worked almost exclusively with a great dealer in Denver who let me audition many different amps.  My favorite (at my price point) was Electrocompaniet.  It sounded much sweeter than some of the other SS amps that had me reaching for the mute button by the end of a CD.

I've been using tubes for over 30 years and recently switched to an SS Grandinote amp. That's when you realize that the best of both worlds are combined in these amplifiers. You soon forget all the talk about the warmth of tubes and the coldness of certain amps. A must-listen despite the high budget.

Luxman M-700 Ultra power amp works well with tube pre-amps