2. amps-preamps
  3. 1327363454

ss replacement for my SET tubes and Egglestons?

I love the sound of my current amps (Audio Mirror 45 Watt SET monoblocks) with my speakers (EgglestonWorks Fontaine) but would prefer I get the same/near same sound with an ss amp for $2500 (used/new). Any Eggleston (or similarly built) owners out there think this is possible? (Tube pre is Mapletree 2A SE; also have pair of ACI Titan powered subs.) Reason for considering is not audio quality based, but for a more convenient and worry free set up. I'd love to play my rig several hours per day without the maintenance and worry of power tubes.
rockadanny
rockadanny OP
1,225 posts
 
Through reading I see that it might be impossible to mimic the SET sound I have with ss so I am willing to give up some of the SET magic in a subtractive way. For example, not as organically deep or as seductive or as well imaged. As long as it does not add anything bad to the sound in its place (etched, steely, glassy, harsh).

Markwatkiss - not sure what you mean.
onemug
784 posts
 
Have you given Nelson Pass's earlier Aleph series any thought? That would be my go to amp (in your budget range) if I wanted to ditch SET's.

And speaking of the man, I just read about his upcoming XS series. He had special transistors made for him at a cost way, way into the 6 figures. He describes them as SIT's. The 300 watter is 85k and to bring you back from sticker shock, the 150 watter is "only" 65k.

I "imagine" they would be a step(s) closer but boy what a cost. Hopefully some trickle down tech will come from it.
rockadanny OP
1,225 posts
 
Larryken - if and how - that is what I am asking.

Onemug - Aleph's able to drive my 87db/6.5 ohm min. speakers?

Any Eggleston owners or others who have at least heard Egglestons with ss amp costing less than $3k used out there able to chime in?
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Aleph is capable of driving your speakers but your preamp might not be a good match to Aleph.
I would suggest taking a walk on McIntosh or Accuphase streets.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rtn1,
I`m not knocking solid state and I know many audiophiles prefer them. IMO the DHT type tubes have a instrinsic sound and character that`s simply different(better is of course a matter of opinion). The closest match to DHT tube character is probably the First watt SIT amplifiers and they`re not 'identical' in sound.Certainly you can find a SS amp that pleases, it just won`t 'mimic' the DHT sound IMO.
More to discover