Switching to solid state amp?


I have had tube amps for the past 20+ years and have totally enjoyed their sound in my system.  I am thinking of trying a solid state amp.  Pass Labs comes to mind but would be open to anyone who made the switch, was happy and what brand worked for you.  Btw I will still be using a tube preamp.  Who has been happy with the switch?

bobheinatz

Showing 11 responses by bobheinatz

Budget up to $10,000 new or used.  My speakers sound great with my current 20 watt amps.  So easy to drive.  11 x 13 small room.  Preamp Deja Vu custom. Listen mostly to vinyl.   Aesthetic and Wells are interesting.
david_tens  and too blue thanks for your input.  A lot sure love their Pass amps.  Keep them coming.
Kalali,  good question.  My current amps have been malfuncting for the past year with various problems so a simplistic maintainence plan which SS can represent is very attractive to me right now.  But the question can I live long term with a SA amp?
Thanks for your opinion Audio Doctor.  I owned a Electrocompaniet Cdp in the early 2000’s so I am very familiar with their gear.  Wish I could expand my budget to look at the fine T+A  amp.
First Watt will be a brand I will take a strong look at.   Thanks for all the great comments.
Ralph I had my current amps worked on recently and one of them came back dead.  So not reliable. I will need to replace.
Ralph the amps are about 15 years old.  These are George Wright Sugnature amps.  Very nice when they work. QS 135 thanks for you info.  QS are quite nice.
Thanks for all the recommendations.  If I do make the switch to SS Pass, Ayre, Wells Audio  are all being looked at.  Btw anyone hear Wells Audio amps.  If I stay with tubes Conrad Johnson, Atma-sphere, Quicksilver are currently on the top of my list.  A third option would be a nice integrated amp.  Pass int60 or Gryphon Diablo 120.
I will look at the Octave it could be a good choice.  From what I have learned about the Diablo 120 the build and parts are quite equal to the Diablo 300 but the 300 is a brute.   I am sure the transformer is beefier but both have the same house sound.