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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
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
@david_ten 

Yes, David, that is a correct interpretation.  Assuming, of course, that the effect Ralph has described is not overshadowed by other variables in the designs of the specific amps being compared.  For example, differences in the quality of the output transformers, since the high voltages at which 211s and 845s operate makes it harder (and more expensive) to produce transformers providing comparable performance to those used in 300B amps. 

Best,
-- Al
 
mglik OP
908 posts
 
Hi Al,
I am not technically oriented much.
Only subjectively judge according to what I hear.
I do trust my ears. For me, I believe I know and understand what music sounds like. What I hear in well designed 300B SETs is a sound that comes close to what I hear in real life. It is not only a response through my ears, it affects my nervous system. I am not easy with sound that strikes me as unnatural. When I listen to a nice recording of a beautiful human voice I relax. It is sublime.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@almarg Thank you very much, Al. The posts caught my attention as I am in the middle of choosing a 211 or 845 amp. You’ve allayed the concerns the posts raised.

@atmasphere Can you comment as well? Thanks.

I’m open to hearing from all four members from my initial post, on the topic, should you have additional and/or other perspectives to share.

Thanks in advance.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hi again, David. I would add that it follows from what I said about output transformer quality (and various other factors as well) that generally speaking I would expect a 211 or 845 amp to cost a great deal more than a 300B amp providing comparable sonic quality.

Good luck in your search! Best,
-- Al

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@almarg  Al, Yes indeed! Those price differentials!!! : )

I'm also curious about the comments on Parallel builds of the 211 /845 being superior to single tube 211/845 based amplification?




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