SET Lovers, what's the one solid state amp you love(d)?


I'm thinking of trying out a solid state amp in place of my 300B SET, which is giving me some problems again and the builder is swamped so it's going to be awhile.

Suggestions? Speakers are 96dB 12" 2-way bass reflex studio monitors from a Japanese recording studio.

dhcod

I enjoy the added soundstage and “drive” of the McCormack DNA-1 when my LTA ZOTL40 is rotated. I mainly listen to jazz. 

For relatively little more money than the Pass XA25, one can get a Coda No.8 which is a wholly superior amplifier in my system(s). It takes everything good about the XA25 up a notch or two. Its current output ability is incredible yet it also has finesse, speed and great decay. 

 

A lot of great suggestions above.  Personally I think speaker synergy is very important.  My 10 watt Dennis Had Inspire SEP drives my 99 dB Klipsch beautifully,  superb holographic sound stage. Everything sounds like being there! It takes my beefy 23 watt 300b/845 SET to drive my Focal Aria @92 dB.  And BION, a cheap Olchen EL34 that really only puts out about 5 watts before distorting above 3-5% sounds great paired with Vienna Acoustics @92 dB. I swapped out the stock Psvane tubes for NOS Svetlana and Tesla EL34s with Tung Sol and Sylvania FAA 6SN7s. It’s my master bedroom rig playing early morning and late night low volume jazz, folk, etc. sound very clean, detailed and warm. 

So, for SS, and I’ll probably get a lot of haters here, but I also have a vintage Crown DC 300A and IC150 preamp that sounds amazing driving a pair of vintage Infinity 4 way towers.  Different sound than tubes, but great imaging, tight punchy bass, warm, yes warm mids, and sparkling highs.  And it can play loud, loud! Rock, country, let’s get the party started!

You’ll have no problem driving 96 dB studio monitor speakers with 25-50 SS watts.  Never heard a Pass Labs, but everyone loves them…however $$$$! The Kinky reviews are good and only $3500 ish.  If this is a temporary solution, I’d pickup an integrated SS reliable brand like Cambridge Audio or Luxman off ebay or audio mart.  If you’re budget bigger, there’s always a used McIntosh! Only brand that holds its value like a used Ferrari. 

Anything from James Bongiorno. I own his GAS Son of Ampzilla and later the Sumo 'The Nine'

Later came the new SoA amps followed by Spread Spectrum Technologies

I have been demo'd the complete range of Neurochrome Power Amp's available today and a Superseded Model.

I have heard these used on systems ranging in value from ££20K+ - £200K+.

I have heard these in use with Speakers ranging from ESL's @ £10K, Cabinet Speakers @ £3K+ and Highly Efficient Field Coil Speakers @ £80K

I have made it known at all demo's the impression made is plenty enough to encourage these to be looked at as an alternative option for Valve Amps.

I have these as the only Amp's on a Shortlist, which is to be my last owned Amp's, when I may one day let go of the owned Valve equipment.