Solid state amp that tube fan can be happy with?

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.

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... :)).

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 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.

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.  

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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

Ayre

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.

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 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.

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.

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. 

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

@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.

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

Look at Class A Accuphase amps

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