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Which SS amps sound like a tube amp?

I'm doing research to find a new amp to replace my Parasound HCA 3500. I'd like the tubey midrange but the virtues of SS in the bass. Biamping is not an option as my rack is quite full. I need at least 200 wpc and want to spend less than 2k used. I'm driving VMPS Supertower/R SE's. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
warnerwh
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Conrad Johnson MF2500A. The "A" version has the inner detail tubes provide at least more so than the non "A" version. The Pass X250 does a nice job as well.

Chuck
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ncarv
983 posts
 
Mark Levinson No. 27
etbaby
138 posts
 
ARC 100.2 All the pluses of tubes and all of the pluses of solid state in one amp. This is one of ARC's hidden gems.
ig40
64 posts
 
Audio Research 100.2. 200 watts into 4 ohms.ARC's best solid state. www.audioresearch.com/M100_2SPA.html
bhouser
112 posts
 
I will 2nd the Pass Labs X-250 recommendation, as I have speakers (MartinLogans) that 'appreciate a kind word' from an amp, while still needing bunches of SS dynamics & power to drive their difficult loads (down to 1.2ohms in the high frequencies at full punch).

I also like the Pass' balanced, differential, Zero-feedback design that keeps distortion under control during heavy transients.
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