looking for a warm ss amp....

I tried the Monarchy 100SE Deluxes after the CJ, and found the transformers noisy - not just one, but both. CC didn't much care to discuss it when I emailed him. Some reviewers found the same about the amp. Soundwise, they were an absolute dream. Otherwise, I have trouble endorsing Monarchy's build quality. Best SS I've owned for sound. Shortest-lived in my house for quality.

I agree with Ryriken, as McCormacks sound wonderful for the $. Your edgy top is probably the mediocre reciever. Heres a recomendation... At the thousand dollar mark these mono-block amps from CIAudio sound incredibly good and are slightly on the warm side yet very fast, crystal clear with a tremendous bottom end, a sound similar to the DNA.5 deluxe...but better, IMO. It says they are 40 watts each but I recently heard them drive VonS VR-2's very loud with absolute authority and control. Good Luck

Damn Sean, you summed up my impressions on all those amps exaclty they way I remember them. I think the B&K DC coupled (especially the M200's) amps are bit more neutral, if a touch lean or harmonicaly thin. I can't comment on the Monarchy's as I've never heard them, though I have been seriously thinking about those 100 SE mono's. How are the Monarchys with regard to bass and dynamics? How are they with regard to lower impedance loads (4 Ohms)? Mwilson?

Unsound: If you want to run Monarchy's with any type of a low impedance / reactive load, you really should spring for the higher current models. They currently have a more potent hybrid model that has gotten very good reviews.

As to the B&K's, my Brother is running four or their "early version" amps in modified form. I also have a single M200 that i'm letting a friend borrow to run his subs. Quite honestly, this amp sounds thin / slightly anemic to me and not nearly as potent as its' power rating and current potential would lead one to believe. I'm thinking that it is measurably out of bias, but i haven't seen that amp for quite some time now. I hope that it is still working : ) Sean
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Fishcall, inherently, some to many to most solid state amps simply are not known for their warmth. Especially at the lower price points. They are typically (and hopefully) noted for their speed, articulation, and sometimes better control of the bass regions than tube amps.

I would guess that more than likely if you found a 'warm' solid state, (unless it's a pair of $20k monoblocks), you'd be giving up quite a bit elsewhere.

But there are a few exceptions:

The Sim Audio Moon W-5 has a very nice, even a bit sweet sounding, but it's bass is somewhat congested. The W-5 retails for $5k but can be found used for about $3k.

You might try the Rotel amps. These are known to be on the dark warm side of life and usually have more than ample power to drive most any speaker. I've listened to a 200 wpc Rotel amp at a friend's house with very inexpensive metal dome tweeter speakers and was quite impressed with the sonics of the combination.

If you want warmth, bloom, speed, articulation, and bass control at an excellent price, look for a McCormack DNA 0.5 Revision A amp. There was one here on A'gon just a short time ago selling for $1500 used.

But regardless of which amp you go with, you most likely will not be too impressed with the sonics until you replace the receiver with a pre-amp.

-IMO