Solid state amp that tube fan can be happy with?


For a few reasons I'd like to replace my EL34 mono blocks with a stereo SS amp producing 100-250 watts at 8 ohms.  Also with at least 40K input impedance since I'll keep my tube line stage.

No local dealers to audition candidates.

Thanks

pryso

You have gotten some great suggestions if you are really looking to make the switch to solid state.   I was in the same situation a few years ago and tried Boulder and Pass Labs.  Being a tube lover for over 40+ years I went back to a all tube system and I am enjoying the music more than ever.

As mentioned somewhere above if you love tube sound only tubes will satisfy. 

I was also gonna recommend the Atmasphere GaN amp but didn’t as they are monoblocks, but they don’t take up more space than your average stereo amp, and as Ralph mentioned above they can even be stacked.  They offer a generous trial period, and you have to think there’s something to a distinguished tube amp designer being very happy with his GaN amp.  I’d be strongly inclined to at least try them if I was you. 

Were I looking today my first stop would be Coda. That said, I’m a tube guy (with 5 tube amps) who lives happily with two SS class A amps for variety: a Plinius Sa-103 modded by Ralph Abramo at Plinius Repairs, and a 25 yr old Reference Line Silver Sig modded slightly by Roger Modjeski, may he RIP.

Hegel did it for me. I have the H200 and it got me off the SS vs Tube merrygoround. 

Many years ago, I worked almost exclusively with a great dealer in Denver who let me audition many different amps.  My favorite (at my price point) was Electrocompaniet.  It sounded much sweeter than some of the other SS amps that had me reaching for the mute button by the end of a CD.