Is there a Solid State amp that can satisfy a SET guy?


Have been a SET guy for so long I have forgotten what a good SS amp even sounds like.
Just bought a pair of $33k speakers that will replace my current $16k speakers. Both are from the same designer and both are 92db and a flat 8 ohms. The new ones arrive in 4 days!
My 300B based amps well drive my current speakers even though I do use the system nightly as a 2 channel home theater. Especially considering the HT usage, I think I may enjoy a SS amp with many times the horsepower. The speaker designer suggests using a Leema Hydra II. I have written to Leema telling them of my 300B preference and they assure me that their amp does not have the destructive harmonics that make a SS amp bright. There must be other SS amps that can satisfy?
mglik

Showing 3 responses by brownsfan

I'm going to suggest you consider another alternative, that being OTL amps.  My speakers (Coincident Super Victory II) are 92.5 dB with a benign impedance curve.  I tried driving them in a medium sized room with Coincident Frankenstein 300B amps.  For all the beauty of those amps, they just couldn't get it done.  THD in the neighborhood of 10% with reasonable listening volumes.  Just not providing the beauty of which those amps are capable.  I made the move to OTL (Atma-sphere M-60), and I haven't looked back.  With proper tube selection, and when the M-60's are driven by a DHT preamp, the result  will not disappoint those who are SET lovers.   I still own my Franks, and occasionally rotate them into my system.  They don't stay long.  If I had speakers in the 94-96+ dB range, it might be a different conversation, but I'm not sure.  The M-60-'s are just so pure and so sweet!  

Now, if I had to commit to SS, I'd probably be looking at First Watt, Pass, or Clayton.  But don't rule out OTL with a DHT preamp.  Special, in my humble opinion. 
@mglik, I think you are correct in your analysis.  As I stated earlier, I made the transition from my 300B amps to the M-60's and couldn't be happier.  I went for the power supply upgrade plus the V-Caps, which I think is well worth the cost.  Careful selection of the 6SN7 tubes is important, as these amps will not come close to their potential with the stock tubes.  In my case, I think pairing the M-60's with my 101D based preamp is also a very happy pairing, and gives the system a bit of that DHT magic without the downsides articulated so well by Ralph.  The M-60's are destination amps for me.  No interest in trying anything else for my main rig.  Please keep us posted on your results. 
Mike, obviously we are in agreement on the M-60's.  They are also my destination amps.  I have no interest in looking elsewhere.  I also agree that when everything else is right, or close to it, the M-60's deliver the best of all worlds.  Sweetness, resolution, and enough power to drive most reasonably efficient speakers that are north of 8 Ohms.  It is all there.   It was a bit different for me however, in that they revealed some rather serious issues with my room and other pieces in my system.  It took not a small effort for me to get everything else dialed in.   That would be a caution I would issue to any one trying these amps.   Others probably won't know right away, as you did, what these amps could deliver.