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

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I’d love to hear that comparison. The NA dealer is offering free shipping and 45d in home demos right now on the Bakoon 13R (perks of being a small amp)

Sometime over the next 6-12 months I’d like to get the Bakoon in and compare vs the XA25 and the LTA UL. What I hope is for it to be a mix of the two. My rudimentary understanding of the circuit leads me to believe that the reduced damping relative to the XA25 might produce a "juicier" sound (more body, air and ), without compromising detail retrieval and those wonderful transients.

How does the Valvet compare to the XA25 and the SIT1/3 ? Assuming it’s the e2se ?

Many years ago I had an Atma-Sphere S 30. It had beautiful clarity although at that time I felt it leaned toward a SS sound. Because of this animated and informative discussion, I have come to much better understand the qualitative elements that make for good SS sound and good 300B SET sound. It is surely a mistake to generalize, although the essential and main difference is that SS is an intellectual perspective and SET an emotional one. I just spent 3 days listening to my First Watt M2 in place of my 300Bs. As it was wisely said: it is a different paradigm. I did appreciate the tight bass and the fine details but missed the SET. Today I put the tubes back in and it was a big ahhhh... ! Instead of using my head and enjoying the qualities of the SS M2, I again am using my gut. It’s visceral.
However, the good SS qualities and good ones of SET may be embodied in Atma-Sphere MA 60s. As we all know, Ralph has been a deeply seasoned source of knowledge and information. His statements about my intellectual/emotional understanding referring to how the brain interprets sound has been transformative. I believe I now am aware of the negative aspects of SET. That is, pthe lose of focus, distortion, etc. I believe the Atma-Spheres may balance clarity and emotion in a way that my evolved perspective can perceive and appreciate.
If the thread continues, I will report on the results of the MA 60s.
The Bakoon 13R is still of significant interest. I cannot discount how I may or may not care for it. But my understanding that tubes, especially in an OTL, have a physicality that cannot be duplicated. After all I have come to understand through this thread, I think that the Atma-Sphere is my best bet. Time will tell.

"I've got a Pass XA30.5 and a Golden Tube SE40. I'm rigged to switch between them depending on what I'm listening to. Both so good, but different."
What preamp and speakers do you have, and can you say more about the differences?  I have GTA SE40 configured as monoblocks, Supratek Syrah preamp and Sonus Faber Signum monitors.  I've had this system for almost 20 years, and thinking that I should try a SS amp, looking seriously at the Pass XA25.  Thanks.

@mglik, I think you are correct in your analysis.  As I stated earlier, I made the transition from my 300B amps to the M-60's and couldn't be happier.  I went for the power supply upgrade plus the V-Caps, which I think is well worth the cost.  Careful selection of the 6SN7 tubes is important, as these amps will not come close to their potential with the stock tubes.  In my case, I think pairing the M-60's with my 101D based preamp is also a very happy pairing, and gives the system a bit of that DHT magic without the downsides articulated so well by Ralph.  The M-60's are destination amps for me.  No interest in trying anything else for my main rig.  Please keep us posted on your results. 

Well, I have put down a deposit for my M 60 demo. It should be ready next week. And I should have it week after. Surely, I am excited to get it. One of the poetic comments in a post that gave me real insight into the SET sound was, I paraphrase: “SET sound is like a sonic screwdriver loosening the tone”. Metaphoric but clear, certainly when compared to SS tone, SET tone kind of has a looser tone relative to a SS exact tone. Another clear phrase is that, in SET tone, those who love it call it warm and those who don’t call it distortion. I do love that warm distortion but do look forward to maintaining much of the rich, organic SET nature while gaining SS clarity. Thus with the Atma-spheres. I was asked about my preamp and speakers. Audible Illusions M3B with John Curl gold phono boards and Tetra 606 speakers. Interesting is that I imagine the AI pre, being single ended and triode, may have a similar nature to the M 60 Atma-Sphere. Very neutral and clear without imposing much of its’ own sound signature. It is not particularly warm but also not particularly cold. Maybe also the Tetras. Very natural not imposing any sound of their own. And I do have a safeguard in mind. Am seriously considering a Zesto phono stage that definitely has a delicious classic tube sound. So, for music playback, I should be able to combine that tube sound with the more neutral signature of the Atma-Sphere. And for my HT evenings, enjoy the clarity, focus and accuracy of the M 60!