Solid state amp to go with tube preamp; used ok; budget: $3k max


I may have posed a similar question like this a while back, but I'm curious to get any updated thinking from folks, older or newer.

Situation: I have a Quicksilver Line Stage preamp and 60w monoblocks. I'm happy with them. I'd like to have a solid state amp to swap in for the monoblocks from time to time (weather, variety).

Typical desiderata in the amp are, as you'd expect, great grip on bass and pacing, smooth highs, good presence in mids, as wide and deep a soundstage as possible.

I tried Atoll 120wpc integrated (bypassing the preamp), Van Alstine SET 400, and my old Adcom 535L. None did the above to my satisfaction --problem mainly with mid, treble and with soundstage depth.

I've heard that stepping up the quality could bring something to the table, and to look out for Hegel, Ayre, Pass. Open to any topology. My speakers are 87 db, 8 ohm, and are driven just fine by 60w tube or solid state.

Specific recommendations for brands and models are welcome. I'm willing to buy, try, and re-sell if there's a good chance I'll want to keep it.

I'm going to be watching for things on used sites. Again, for this I'm setting an upper limit of $3k but am hopeful I could do fine with much less.
hilde45
Thanks, all -- Hafler, Stratos, Coda. Good to add to the list, investigate, too.

Anyone compare the Stratos with Pass, Ayre, or other smooth customers? Hard to imagine a $1500 amp kicking butt at 1/3 the MSRP, but who knows? These smaller makers can surprise you. 

I will admit that with the new KT 150s in my QS monos, there’s no problem with the low end, at all. But I’d just like something which presents a bit differently and which adds a certain rhythmic "snap" which I heard with Van Alstine’s 125watt SET 400 but with a better midrange and high. Those neg’s on the SET400 were deal killers, and I ate the shipping to get my money back. (No disrespect to AVA lovers, this was just my experience.)


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Those neg’s on the SET400 were deal killers, and I ate the shipping to get my money back. (No disrespect to AVA lovers, this was just my experience.)

You expected not to pay for shipping on a return? What's that all about?
relative to the best sounding nelson pass gear, usually his lower powered units, class a/b offerings from belles, odyssey, ava does not favorably compare -- if the objective is a full, natural, tonally/timbrally pure presentation (of course the classic tradeoff of spl capability vs sonic purity)


Hegal H190 should be on your short list. That is about as high as you can go on 3,000 but i would not settle for anything less in the Hegel line and there is no need to do so. I’m shooting for the H20 power amp myself