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Transistor Preamp that sounds like a Tube Preamp?

You probably think I'm crazy, but with all the improvements in solid state, are there any transistor preamps that have the following characteristics I hear in tubes?

1. Fully fleshed out instrumental timbre and overtones?

1. Full, alive midrange with bloom, body and dimension?

2. The airy space and separation between instruments?

3. That realness and aliveness of tubes?

4. At a retail of around $6,000 or less?

I'm sure I'll be getting some clashing opinions on this....
saxo
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
In the real world yes, in GON World a little less so.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
What happened to Asa??
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
is it possible that replacing capacitors and resistors from some solid state preamps can bring one closer to a "tube-like" presentation?
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
07-14-08: Mrtennis asked:
"is it possible that replacing capacitors and resistors from some solid state preamps can bring one closer to a "tube-like" presentation?"

Generally, no. You can make a cheaply built SS amp sound better by improving its parts, but it's best to start with an amp using high quality parts to begin with, made by a great designer that was trying to make the best possible sound.

If the designers goal was to make an amp that sounds "tube-like", stay away.

Dave
tvad
9,467 posts
 
If the designers goal was to make an amp that sounds
"tube-like", stay away.

Dave
Dcstep (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Why, if that's the designer's goal. Or, if it's the listener's goal?

Perhaps, you mean YOU should stay away because "tube-like", as
you define the term, does not fit your criteria or ideal of high end audio.

I think it's important for anyone using the term "tube-like" to
describe specifically what they mean by the term.

If I were to generalize, I would bet most who use the term mean a sound
that's a bit rolled off in the highs, that has an emphasized midrange, and
perhaps has bass that's somewhat loose. I have yet to hear a tubed
component in the past five years that sounds this way: Lamm, VAC, Atma-
Sphere, Modwright, Audio Horizons. The only tubed preamp I have heard that
had some of the characteristics mentioned above was the Supratek Cortese,
but the highs were extended, and the bass was pretty well controlled.

I suspect how MrTennis defines tube-like may be completely opposite of how
the vast majority of top-shelf, presently produced tube preamps sound:
Atma-Sphere, VAC, ARC, BAT, Modwright, Messenger, and just about any
other I can name.

If a designer stated they have designed a solid state preamp that sounds
"tube-like" in the fashion of Atma-Sphere or VAC preamps
(which are uniquely different, but have more in common than otherwise), I
might be strongly interested in investigating their product.
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