Is there a Solid State amp that can satisfy a SET guy?

austinstereo,

"As a result of being in sales and service of audio gear for a very long time, we have yet to encounter a solid state amp that can match a tube amp in terms of warmth and space. Just as true, we have yet to encounter a tube amp that has the tautness and attack of a solid state amp. A push pull tube unit is a bit more of a happy medium between the two extremes."


...we have yet to encounter a solid state amp that can match a tube amp in terms of warmth and space. Just as true, we have yet to encounter a tube amp that has the tautness and attack of a solid state amp.


Thanks. 

It does seems logical that the added distortion of tubes could be likened to the mildly loosening effect of a sonic screwdriver, giving the soundstage the gentlest lack of focus that many find delightful but which will inevitably also lead to a lessening of impact.
 
Particularly obvious with those loudspeakers presenting more of a challenge in regards to efficiency and impedance.

SET and high efficiency or high efficiency and SET, is where many decide to finally disembark off the upgrade train journey.

Ironically enough, close to the point where many others started, decades ago.

I have not observed that zero feedback necessarily sounds like SET in my limited experience with those technologies.

cd318
It does seems logical that the added distortion of tubes could be likened to the mildly loosening effect of a sonic screwdriver, giving the soundstage the gentlest lack of focus that many find delightful but which will inevitably also lead to a lessening of impact.

>>>>Do you write this stuff yourself? 😬

The closest, it seems, to the truth is that there are two different paradigms. Jin and Jang??
The Valvet E2 SE seems to be the best option yet.
I have long admired many German Audio companies. Surely, German engineering has been on the cutting edge technology forever. They did almost take over the world! But in the Audio world, most great German products are way expensive.
The Valvet is only $4k. Maybe because of its simplicity. Only one transistor a channel, short signal path and only 12 wpc.
I am very taken by what one reviewer said: “Vacuum tubes are no longer necessary for warmth, texture, purity and correctness”.
And I have always been attracted by low power SS amps.
My SET amp designer says, “The more power the less magic”.
I am pretty convinced that I will never get a sound that is as magic as a great 300B SET (mine are 4 chassis 3 Dimension Audio mono blocks with Takayuki 300Bs-custom made for the prototype Magico Ultimates which used 16 chassis for 4 channels). Not the actual “magic” but maybe a compromise?
My new speakers arrive in 4 days. If I feel my current amp does not take hold of the big 3 way speakers with a 12” woofer, I may ask the Valvet distributor for a demo of the 2E SE.

I have owned and enjoyed Luxman and Accuphase products.  Those two brands were cited earlier in this thread.  Both of those brands are wonderful sounding, very well built, and both have excellent driving capabilities.  I currently own Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) and use one of their tube preamps and one of their SS power amps.  Their design has zero global feedback and it does make a difference.  The ever so important power supplies are phenomenal.  The sound quality is excellent in both staging and imaging, providing a wonderful 3-D experience, and the driving capability is stupendous.  Especially in the bass region, it is very impactful.  Yet, I still find the upper mid-range and high frequencies to be very pleasant and smooth.  My speakers are 88 db efficient.  Everyone has their preference, of course.  I'm just offering my experience with these products and my opinion.  If you can audition BAT products I think you will be very pleased.  The VK 255SE power amp retails for $9K so it is right in your budget range.  And I may add, it is exceptionally well built.  Their website is full of information and very good graphics.  All US engineering and manufacturing.
Hope this helps.  Do enjoy your new gear, whatever you land on with your final decision.