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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 scothurwitz

scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hi everyone

Pass Labs class ‘A’ amps, to my ears, are magic. I have owned the xa30.8 and I just love it. My speakers are extremely inefficient (83db) and it not only drives them effortlessly but it always remains so musical. I have a tube preamp for that tonal color and accurate timbre. 

To all the other Pass Labs amp owners out here, leave it on always. I have noticed that every time I have to unplug it from the wall, it takes exactly 3 full days until it sounds right again. There are subtle temporal cues that you can hear when it’s been fully warmed up that just aren’t 100% right when it’s just been turned back on. I leave mine on all the time and it always sounds amazing!

Scot
scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hi everyone

I to am very interested in hearing the LTA amps. As you all probably know, these are all David Bernings designs implemented by Linear Tube Audio at much more reasonable price points. David Berning is a brilliant designer and engineer who has been granted a patent for his ZOTL design and really thinks outside the box. 

The other name brand that has mentioned in this thread is Valvet. Every time I look at the pictures inside these amps and see the simplicity of the build quality and how few parts are being used I want to hear them. 

Scot
scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hi mglik

If you have a Pass Labs dealer near you and after your new speakers are fully broken in, see if you can try (in your own system) an XA30.8. Their class a/b amps are very good but their class a amps are where their magic is. This amp has surprising drive capabilities but more importantly always sounds great.  It is extremely musical. This amp sounds like a good tube amp in the midrange but also gives you all the benefits of a solid state amp such as extended, controlled bass with plenty of slam. The high frequencies are both extended and smooth as well. Their reliability is legendary. I’m currently (no pun intended) enjoying it and my speakers are 83db efficient, don’t let the 30 watt rating fool you. I’ve had mine for over five years and have used it with several different types of speaker (both planar magnetic & dynamic box speakers) and it always sounds great. Good luck.

Scot
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