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"Warm Sounding" Solid State Amplifiers

As a Canadian I am naturally a huge fan of Bryston products but not long ago I switched things up for a NAD C355BEE integrated amp and instantly realized what I had been missing in terms of warmth, sweetness and overall pleasant sound.

I'm interested in moving up from there into some Class A or A/B amps but I don't know of any other warm sounding Solid State amps other than Pass Labs which are out of my price range at the moment.

Tubes are obviously "where it's at" as they would say but the maintenance factor is somewhat of a deterrent for me. Should I just go for an M series NAD amp or is there another intermediate product between that and Pass Labs??
pontifex
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,091 posts
 
There is usually nothing particularly "warm" about live music.

Its more a technical artifact of hi fi reproduction when there is an emphasis in the 100-300 hz or so frequency range (upper bass).

I can find it inviting at first but eventually wears out its welcome in comparison to more balanced timbres.
taters
1,149 posts
 
Mike Lavigne, the Dartzeel gear is in a different league than what is mentioned here. If he is talking about Bryston or NAD he's not going to spring for Dartzeel. Even if it is used.
tderfla
10 posts
 
IMP the Clayton amps are never brittle, or hard sounding. I've heard them in a variety of systems and they combine the best qualities of SS and tubes. Compared to many SS offerings I suppose that makes them a "warmer" amp. They're expensive, but are better than most others that are more expensive.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"04-21-15: Csontos
With all due respect Ralph, I am not aware of a 'warmth associated with real music(and tubes)' consensus. My take on it is simply a subjective preference over accuracy."

I don't see how you can say one component is more accurate than another. How do you know the "warm" amp isn't more accurate? There's no reason why it can't be.
csontos
1,311 posts
 
I'm surprised you haven't taken Ralph to task with this premise. Or should I say I'm not? Fact is their is consensus that tubes are distortion for the most part. Also that the best of both converge sonically...to neutrality. Enter LSR&D. How do YOU define neutrality as it applies to audio? Btw, I do have ears and do come to my own conclusions but affirmation is sometimes also rewarding. Again, to each his own. Have fun.

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