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Is there a SS amp that can offer tube bliss?

I currently own a tube system and love the sound. But honestly I'm not sure if I have the proper disposition for this tube thing. I cannot stand the constant worry over tube wear, looking around for NOS tubes, and wondering if maybe...just maybe my system will sound better if I spend still more money on different tubes. I would love to find a SS amp that will give me what my tube gear does and rid me of the worry about maintenance and the discontent inherent in tube upgrading. I've heard the Clayton M100s are wonderful and offer a "tube" sound. Any other SS amps to replace tubes? Any advice is most welcome.
Thank you.
samwise
byfo
120 posts
 
The bel 1001 MKV. Beautiful smooth sounding amp with incredible detail, lots of bottom end and all the rest. 50 watts stereo, 200 watts monoblocked (8ohm)I don't know how the owners of 10+ tube monoblocks handle it. Darn I left the amps on over night. Oh well won't have to turn on the heat this morning. As well as those tube replacements can be fairly costly. Ahhhh the decisions and sacrifices.
tombowlus
416 posts
 
Having recently auditioned a number of SS amps, I cam away with a very favorable impression of Theta's amps. In fact, I bought an Intrepid for multi-channel, and hope to land a pair of Enterprises for the main speakers. While I would not describe them (or any SS amp that I have heard) as tube-like, they did have a nice musical presentation that was slightly warm. The imaging, depth and width of soundstage, and definition of the Enterprises was most impressive. Granted, the day after I decided that the Theta Enterprises were the amp for me, they get reviewed in Stereophile by an apparent tube amp fan (who was not inclined to rush out and buy a pair, but who overall gave them what I would consider a very favorable review), but from what my ears tell me, Theta offers most of what is good about SS amps, and a certain degree of what is good about tube amps.

If you are considering the JC-1's, then I would strongly suggest that you also audition the Enterprise monoblocks.

Tom.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Some tube-o-philes have suggested that digital amps resemble the "tube sound". In particular the CarverPro ZR1600 (which I use) is priced so low ($840 for 600 wpc at 4 ohms) that you might take a flyer and give it a try.
timo's avatar
timo
610 posts
 
Ayre SS amps
bigtee
803 posts
 
I have used tubes and solid state. I used a big Theta Dreadnaught for a while. But, the one I have found to give a natural, revealing sound without any of the transistor nasties is the Belles 350a. I have paired it with an Audible Illusions L-2. I have found the compromise perfect. I think using a tube pre with a SS amp is about as close as you'll get. No SS amp sounds like a tube amp but, if you want natural, honest, musical sound, there you go.
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