Is there a SS amp that can offer tube bliss?

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.

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.

Ayre SS amps

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.

I would seriously consider one of Conrad Johnson's SS amps very musical and very tube like in their delivery.

Chuck