Solid State Power Amps That Sound Most Like Tubes?

here's a thought. there are capacitors which can alter the frequency response, or at least alter the tonal balance, perhaps emphazing the lower frequencies and reducing the presence of treble frequencies.

replacing caps in the signal path with mundorf gold/oil or audio note copper/oil
after selecting a "decent solid state amp", even if that solid state amp is not "tube like" in the classic sense may solve your problem.

you may be able to get by with an odyssey khartago, from Klaus, at about $800 and replace caps.

as has been said, a solid state amp probably won't sound like most tube amps.

considering that i am a current owner of two tube amps, looking for a solid state amp, my criterion for a ss amp is one which is well balanced, and reasonably full-bodied, without having to sound like a tube amp in a blind test.

you might want to look at the latest issue of the absolute sound. there are a few inexpensive amps recommended. try to listen to them, or pick one and consider cap replacement. yes, i know, reviews are what they are, but if you replace some key parts you may be able to alter the sound resulting in an acceptable amp.

Mrtennis, *most* transistor amps don't have coupling capacitors.

you might want to look at the latest issue of the absolute sound. there are a few inexpensive amps recommended. try to listen to them, or pick one and consider cap replacement. yes, i know, reviews are what they are, but if you replace some key parts you may be able to alter the sound resulting in an acceptable amp.

Boy, if it were me I would certainly not be speculating on the effects of cap replacement to "alter the sound resulting in an acceptable amp". Not to mention how modifications like that can potentially harm the resale value should the amp+modification turns out not be what your friend is after. Otherwise on the used market it is certainly pretty easy to turn around a respectable product at minimal or no loss and move on to try something else.

Not to disrespect reviewers at TAS, but the selection of amps that actually review in ratio to what's actually available is very small indeed and you'd be unnecessarily be limiting yourself for no particularly good reason IMO. I don't recall any of the recommendations in the latest issue being paired off with SR17.5's or a Meridian pre.

Alan Yun, of Silverline, might be another good resource to recommend amps that suit those speakers well.

I think the OP is on the right track in seeking out some direct listening experience with the other components, especially the speakers, within the system that the amp is being considered for.

Per the course of some of the discussion here - just drop the "sounds like tubes" part of it; he knows he wants and SS amp for whatever reason - just look for a great sounding SS amp that pairs well with those speakers. A great amp is a great amp - it should disappear (along with the rest of the system) and connect you and engage you more directly with the music. There are amps of all sorts of topologies that are capable of doing just that. Otherwise it's kind of like shopping for an apple that tastes like an orange.

One great advantage that I found with those speakers (at least the previous versions that I owned) is that they are quite versatile and can sound excellent with both topologies - I had them paired for a while with a very simple Portal Audio Panache SS integrated and they sounded wonderful with that amp. That's VERY modest in comparison to what you are otherwise considering.

The best solid state amps that have tube-like characteristics I have ever heard that are reasonabl;y priced are the Clayton S40 amps (the MSRP is $2,950 & I'm sure are about half that price on the used market) and the Clayton M100 (which I have seen on Audiogon at $3,000). Tossing out the $2,750 limit, the Clayton M200 lists at MSRP $9.500) and I have seen it on Audiogon at $4,700. These are incredible by anyone's standards.

After the above I would rate the McCormack DNA-500 used and then the McCormack DNA-225. Also, the Modwright KWA-150 or the Modwright KWA-100SE, which is incredbly good.

I just picked up a vintage McIntosh 4100 integrated amp at an estate sale. The tubiest SS amp I've heard to date. I've dubbed this amp "The Vinylizer" because it makes all my digital content sound like it's coming off of vinyl. I've seen these on eBay for around $1k. Remarkable ask considering original price in the late 70's was around $2k. The 4100 allows you to bypass its preamp and go direct to its amp from any external preamp. Of course I use a Tortuga passive which sounds fantastic together with this amp.