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

Dartzeel. Built to last forever so given this look for used units. The CTH 8550 integrated amp is a truly great product but it very much needs to be used single ended if you want the magic. They have a VERY short existence on the used market. Try Chambers Audio for a used unit. The alternative would be an NHB-108b amp but the integrated is so close. Also you wouldn’t be buying a boat anchor. I no longer have one but was foolish to sell mine(CTH 8550).

Pass XA25.. You will want to open it up and check for tubes inside..

Ah yeah??? unusually tight, uncoloured and extended sounding tubes yes.
Other amps but low power and gain would be Nelson Pass’s Aleph’s, which think all models are single ended, but solid state, and are room heaters also just like tube SE's.

Cheers George

The more I listen to my Bakoon HPA-01 the more I love it.
This is THE SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy or anyone.
It leaves me imagining just how spectacular a higher powered Bakoon would sound in my main rig. Meanwhile I am enjoying it with my headphones!

Hi mglik

If you have a Pass Labs dealer near you and after your new speakers are fully broken in, see if you can try (in your own system) an XA30.8. Their class a/b amps are very good but their class a amps are where their magic is. This amp has surprising drive capabilities but more importantly always sounds great.  It is extremely musical. This amp sounds like a good tube amp in the midrange but also gives you all the benefits of a solid state amp such as extended, controlled bass with plenty of slam. The high frequencies are both extended and smooth as well. Their reliability is legendary. I’m currently (no pun intended) enjoying it and my speakers are 83db efficient, don’t let the 30 watt rating fool you. I’ve had mine for over five years and have used it with several different types of speaker (both planar magnetic & dynamic box speakers) and it always sounds great. Good luck.

Scot

Many speak highly of Nelson’s work. Whitecamaros seems to prefer the 250.8 above all. I surely have heard of the prowess of the 30.8.
I have a First Watt M2 which sounds quite SS. Ralph has developed a Class D amp which he says is very similar sounding to his OTLs.
I hope to eventually get to test a prototype.
The Bakoon does not sound like tubes but it recreates pace and structure in a way that holds music together in an unusual and addictive manner. And it produces detail that other amps, tube or SS blur. But ultimately, the Atmas produce a tone that is just natural and beyond any I have heard.