Solid state amp that tube fan can be happy with?


For a few reasons I'd like to replace my EL34 mono blocks with a stereo SS amp producing 100-250 watts at 8 ohms.  Also with at least 40K input impedance since I'll keep my tube line stage.

No local dealers to audition candidates.

Thanks

pryso

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.