solid state vs tubes--with a twist

Orpheus I remember the N.E.W. amps, those little boxes from the 90's. They indeed were impressive and inexpensive but for sure I never believed for a second I was listening to anything other than a really decent ss amp.

I think the key here Mr. Tennis is that you are looking for the classic CJ tube sound of the 80's and 90's in a ss amp. I have never heard any ss amp that is remotely in this camp. I do however agree that some of the most memorable ss amps, all Class A bias by the way, have some of the attributes in good tube gear but not in the way I expect you are looking for based on your list, that rather rich texture and resonant presence that especially classic tube sound is and ss can never be because of the differences in the devices used. Good luck in your search and if you find it please post your impressions, I'm sure many reading this thread would be interested.

I never heard the Carver amps from the late 80's that supposedly sounded like tubes in a ss design, the Carver challenge whereby the transfer function of a tube design allegedly was implemented in a ss design. I always felt it was a marketing ploy by Bob Carver regardless of how talented an engineer he was. Does anyone remember this and did anyone that heard his amps from that time come to the conclusion that his ss designs ended up sounding like a tube design?

Thanks for the clarification Magfan, it seems I was playing a little loose with all the facts in this case. The further result was that Carver did develop an all out tube design that was highly regarded. I still take issue with any classic sounding tube gear and ss of any variety I've heard sounding similar in the way that it seems Mr. Tennis is looking for. I am quite familiar with 2 out of those 3 amps the MV75 and MV 125, owned a few cj pre-amps from that era and was in love with that sound myself at the time and I have NEVER heard any ss amp that sounds similar. That was a real signature sound for Conrad-Johnson. I can't say I am familiar with their new offerings and where they have gone.

Yes Racamudi, it was the N.E.W. 20.1 but weren't they battery powered as well? In any case I was quite impressed actually very impressed. I saw them at an audio show back in the early 90's and there were several demos using that amp.