TUBE AMP LOVERS - What SS amp makes you smile???

Haven't moved on to D'Agostino, but will add it to my system when funds allow as an adjunct to (not replacement for) my ARC Ref 150 (w KT150 tubes). Love them both.

Agree with others concerning ss amps versus tube amps and the fact that no ss amp will sound like a tube amp. But for me Pass XA series is a wonderful alternative and without the tube maintenance issues. Although they do kick out a lot of heat being class A biased. And if you have ever had a tube amp blow it isn't pretty.

Clarification to my post re the Hegel H200. I should have noted that I have not replaced tubed equipment with the Hegel. I still run and enjoy music using Consonance Cyber 800SEs (6CA7s) and an Opera Reference 50 (6H30s) pre-amp. However, for variety, I do switch to the H200 and find it has a sweet liquidity and dimensionality similar to hearing music with tube equipment. The Hegel is definitely a solid state amp that makes me smile.

"07-19-15: Zd542
I use Ayre in my system and and think it sounds different than what your friends say"

What is your system? I tried searching your posts but couldn't work it out.

"the last one I played before I went back to tubes" :)