Which is the most tubelike solid state amp around

Mrtennis
Victor told me once he couldn't tell much difference from their entry level preamp to their more expensive preamp too, both or either, would satisfy him.

I've heard the Mc252, 402, 501s and 602. None of these came across to me as sounding like anything other than SS. Very nice SS but not tube oriented. The decays weren't that of tubes, nor did it possess the richness and body tubes field as a rule. To MCs credit, if I had panel speakers I could easily live with that MC 602. Very easily indeed.

Personally, I'd place the VK500 w/BAT Pk above the MC402 & under the MC602. The 501s were more lively and more SS'y.

Maybe a mccormack dna-1;I had a pair of these as monoblocks driving merlin 4b+'s and dunlavy scIII's;very tubelike in the mid frequency range;also odyssey's mono extreme se's fit the bill as well.
Better yet a moscode 401hr or the new 402;30 day in home trial as well.

hi blindjim:

perhaps victor is just being honest. it is certainly not in his interest to compare his preamps unfavorably. or, do you believe that victor can't hear the difference between preamps ?

Mrtennis
Beats me. I don't doubt his integrity... perhaps it's a matter more of tastes or preffs & practicality for him.

I simply thought it pertinent to make mention of that, as at the time, it struck me as odd given all the designs he's laid out and surely does have at his discretion.

Ecka, there was a thread several months ago on another audio forum where SET amp lovers were asked what solid-state amp they would choose if a gun was held to their heads, and surprisingly the only company anyone actually mentioned was Naim. That being a British company, perhaps it is easier to come by in Australia?? I've never heard them, but they are supposed to be good.