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HELP: I need a solid state amp with a tube sound

I am very much into tube amplifiers, but it seems that they need alot more maintenance than SS amps do. Is there an amp out there that will get a good tube sound, but with low maintenance of an SS amp? I am working on my budget and I will probably spend about 2500 for it. I already have a tube pre-amp that I like, a Zen ZTPRE, and does a good job for my needs.
matchstikman
esoxhntr
196 posts
 
You should check out a Blue Circle BC24 - brand new for $2245 on the 'gon. It is a hybrid design; tube input stage (two 6922 tubes total) and SS output. You get warmth and whump. Hard to beat for the money. Happy hunting.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
Jctubes,I agree and disagree. I own the YBA Passion Integre. For my ears, this integrated is very sweet, tubelike, and offers the best that ss can deliver. Yes, it's definitely not a tube, but, eyes closed with some great jazz--you can be fooled that you're in tubeland. It's a beauty. Have a listen, and trust your ears. I have listened to a lot of integrateds, and for my money, the Passion is the best out there. Ok, the Tenor is probably better, but I can't say anything first hand, because I haven't given it a listen,......peace
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
Sorry my fellow audiophools. I leapt before looking. I didn't see the price limitations. You could go with the YBA Integre DT model. Less tube like than the Passion, but still sweet and 50 killer, punching watts. I sold mine,(after 7 years) to move up to the Passion. good hunting...
aball
1,994 posts
 
I have determined that the sound I like is the warm mellow slightly dark one very similar to tube sound. The SS amps that fall in this catergory are (WRT family sound): CJ, BAT, Pass, Classe, McIntosh. There are surly more but these are the ones I know. I don't really like the YBA integre (DT or passion - heard them both). I perhaps had too high hopes from all the hype they seem to get but I thought they were similar: thin and a little bright. BUT this is only my opinion - it was just not my type of sound but I realize with the right system they may be perfect. Arthur
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
I just went through this a month ago. There are no SS amps that sound like tubes. You need to be more specific in what type of sound you are looking for when you say tube sound. I compared over twelve popular SS amps in the $3K - $6K price range. There was a recent review of the Spectron Musician II amp where the reviewer said it sounded like their BAT VK-75SE, no to my ears, I had them side by side. No even close in my sytem.

If you are looking for a warm sounding SS amp, Aragon, Belles 150A, Pass x or Alpha (you need to hear these to determiine which one you prefer), McCormack DNAs are very good amps that are no harsh sounding.

Hope thins helps.
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