Which is the most tubelike solid state amp around

based upon one of tvad's connotation of "tube like", i'd say it cannot be found in the performance of any solid state amp. i received a confirmation that a solid state amp would not sound like a tube amp, from victor khomenko, of balanced audio technology, back in the 90's, when i heard a comparison between the first bat ss amp and a tube amp at ces, 1992 or 1994.

hi blindjim:

perhaps victor is just being honest. it is certainly not in his interest to compare his preamps unfavorably. or, do you believe that victor can't hear the difference between preamps ?

perhaps you could consider one of the older accuphase class a amps or listen to a gryphon amp as well.

in the context of current production tube amps, perhaps, excluding low wattage sets, a ss amp which does not evince the objectionable characteristics ascribed to the sound of transistors, would connote a tube-like sound.

the "modern tube" design more closely resembles the sound of many solid state amps, than the earlier so-called "classic tube designs".

my experience with solid state amps points to an impression that most solid state amps have an annoying presentation of frequencies above 1000 hz.

while annoying is imprecise, it would seem that when generating spls exceeding 85 db, solid state amps, especially with panel speakers, exhibit an aggressive upper mid/lower treble presentation.

the only time i have actually enjoyed solid state equipment,was the combination of the early avalon ascent or avalon eclipse, mated with rowland amps and preamps. however, i suspect that the avalons, were solid ss friendly.

thus, i would be more concerned about the speaker than the ss amp. selecting a ss friendly speaker may render the selection of a ss amp, much easier, e.g., some of the vandersteens.

hi tvad:

thank you for reminding me to be objective.

my point regarding the difference between solid state and tube amps is that there is a sonic signature which is evident when listening to solid state amps, which makes it possible to identify the amplifier as solid state. the region, 1000 hz to 3000 hz, is the range which disintguishes the sound of many solid state amplifiers from many tube amplifiers.

there are two questions, how to precisely describe the difference and what parameters to measure.

one of the challenges of audio is the correlatation of (subjective) listening experiences with the appropriate quantifiable variables. i can not specify what to measure, only to suggest that the range covering upper midrange and upper treble fundamental frequencies and their harmonics may be worth measuring.

perhaps, i would hypothesize that there are measurable differences between the harmonic envelopes based upon the aforementioned frequency range which can distinguish a tube amp from a solid state amp.

if so , it may be difficult to find a solid state amp that is tube like. of course, what tube amp would be used as the benchmark ?? would it be a design from the 60's through the 1980's or a current production tube amp ?

i am afraid i have raised more questions than have answered them.

i will conclude by saying that the quest for a tube-like solid state amp, requires very spefici facts, which have yet to be mentioned, including, what tube amp sconstitutes the benchmark for "tube-like" quality, or would there be more than one tube amp, since there are differences between tube amps, and what is the criteriaon for "tube-like character " ?

you can blame tvad fror my rambling. thanks again tvad for reminding me of my principles. i sometimes fall into subjectivity--sorry about that.

the idea that a solid state amp could sound "tube like" obscures the intrinsic sonic signature(s) of both tube and solid state amplifiers.

its like saying what apple is like an orange.

amplifiers can be recommended which are not offensive but regardless of the sound of an amplifier, it does not have the sonic signature of classic tube amplifiers.

tvad, you make a good point regarding the concept of "tube" sound.

perhaps we could be more specific about what we are looking for, using nouns, rather than adjectives.

if one is looking for a solid state amp having specific sonic attributes, why not state what the adjectives may be rather than use an ambiguous adjective ?

while i would own several tube amplifiers, i have heard several solid state amplifiers. i object to the upper midrange/treble response . i think it is odd order harmonic distortion. i'm not sure exactly what is the cause, but unless there is a change in design, i find solid state amps and panel speakersa not synergistic.