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

Have been a SET guy for so long I have forgotten what a good SS amp even sounds like.
Just bought a pair of $33k speakers that will replace my current $16k speakers. Both are from the same designer and both are 92db and a flat 8 ohms. The new ones arrive in 4 days!
My 300B based amps well drive my current speakers even though I do use the system nightly as a 2 channel home theater. Especially considering the HT usage, I think I may enjoy a SS amp with many times the horsepower. The speaker designer suggests using a Leema Hydra II. I have written to Leema telling them of my 300B preference and they assure me that their amp does not have the destructive harmonics that make a SS amp bright. There must be other SS amps that can satisfy?
mglik
mglik OP
908 posts
 
A lot of great suggestions.
I really appreciate being part of the Forum. I have learned A LOT!
I asked a good friend in the Audio Industry this question. He may be a bit bit dated but he had 1 resounding suggestion-the Pass Labs Aleph!
Has anyone had experience with these? Guess it would be the 3 or 5?
Any preferences?
I have heard a lot about the FW Sit 3 but I own a FW M2 and tried it. Both me and my wife missed the 300B SET sound a lot.
I always listen to her opinion. At least, her high frequencies are better than mine.

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
He may be a bit bit dated but he had 1 resounding suggestion-the Pass Labs Aleph!
Has anyone had experience with these? Guess it would be the 3 or 5?


Lovely amps but stinking hot,
Tone Publications:
One word of caution: this amplifier runs HOT! Give it plenty of ventilation and breathing room. Pass recommends that, if you have one of these or happen upon one that hasn’t been looked over by either the factory or a good technician, you do so in short order.

and I think they are a low gain amp, so they need a high gain ampere that is low noise SS maybe.
Or if going direct a very high output dac, over 4v output

I think you’d be better off with the XA30’s or XA60, and the bass could also be tighter, if you feel you need more wattage go the XA60’s.

There is an Aleph here that that’s for sale.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PASS-ALEPH-5-NELSON-PASS-CLASS-A-Amplifier-Own-a-piece-of-Audio-History/313086985185?hash=item48e57043e1:g:lfsAAOSwqCdewxz3

Here's another one for $1600.
https://kahlaudio.com/products/pass-labs-aleph-0s-single-ended-transistor-stereo-amplifier-4000-msrp-2/

Cheers George
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
short answer to op's question is no


mglik OP
908 posts
 
I actually found an Aleph 3 in Finland. Stereophile went nuts for this amp. https://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/674/index.html
Think I prefer the 3 over the Aleph 5. 
My Tetra 606s arrive tomorrow! Think my 300B SETs will push them nicely. But this thread has got me very interested in some slam, detail and bass of a good SS! My speakers are 92db, very flat 8 ohms and simple crossovers with no resistors. They are 3 way with a 12" woofer, ATC dome midrange and Mundorf dipole AMT tweeter). The only remaining question is whether it would be better to have the Aleph 5 with 60 wpc or the Aleph 3 with 30 wpc??
zipost's avatar
zipost
197 posts
 
I had all the Aleph lines from pass labs.   Your Tetra 606 does drop down to 6ohms, if i were you the Aleph 3 will not have enough slams, the Aleph 5 is ok but i recommend the Aleph 4 or 1.2.  Your Tetra 3 way drivers, 12’ woofer, class A 30 watts will not be enough.  Happy Listening!  
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